Five stars
Clowes Memorial Hall;
Feb. 8

These magnificent song stylists were having way too much fun to seem like it was work, yet work they do to make the old favorites fresh and exciting. Audience members reflected every decade since the original group began in Detroit 47 years ago and started an evolution of American music from the soul of Motown Sound to what’s up today. The infectious moves are still there, with “Mr. Original” Otis Williams dipping and shaking with members half his age. Equally splendid are Ron Tyson, Terry Weeks, Joe Herndon and Bruce Williamson, whose collective charisma bounces from their interaction with folks in the front rows way up to the far reaches of the balcony. This group played to a packed house and engaged the audience rock-style fashion in singing, dancing and feeling good about the fellow sitting next to you. The harmony retains its thrilling core despite a slight loss of crispness due to sound systems that aren’t really geared for carrying five-part clarity. The orchestra was fine, the lighting deliciously vintage and the suits glistening. Dominique opened with a comedy routine full of stinging humor that’s in your face and on your mind.