Sydney Justin and the Miracles were smoking hot Wednesday at The Sharon. This rousing concert of Motown memories gave baby boomers a big chill and nearly turned into an NFL alumni meeting.
James Harris, former quarterback of the Los Angeles Rams, was in the audience. Sydney Justin, lead singer of the Miracles played defensive back with Rams and his brother and fellow Miracle — Kerry Justin – played DB with the Seattle Seahawks.
“Sydney is one of the very best singers there is; he was also a great player and is a great performer,” said Harris the first black player in NFL to start a season at quarterback. He started his rookie year in 1969 with the Buffalo Bills. He was later signed by the Rams and met Sydney Justin.
Sydney and Kerry Justin, along with Cordell Conway and Eric Swindell, are today’s Miracles. They captured the sounds, choreography and spirit of Motown and Smokey Robinson.
Robinson was singer/songwriter pioneer with the Miracles before leaving in the early ‘70s. Sydney Justin has been with the group for 22 years and more than held his own singing lead and bringing the Motown classics back to life.
It didn’t take long for the audience to catch the Miracles’ vibe. The group opened with a classic, “I Second That Emotion.” It was vintage Motown and Justin’s smooth and silky vocal fit like a glove. The same could be said for “More Love.”
Then Justin, his group, and tight 8-piece band went back to the early days.
“We’re going to do the Miracles’ first million-seller,” Justin said as the band and singers joined forces on a steady-rocking, “Shop Around.”
Then came another early classic “You Really Got a Hold on Me,” a song once covered by the Beatles who were big fans of Robinson and Motown. Justin led the men and women in the crowd in a spirited sing-a-long.
“It’s a contest and I think the women won, but guys, I’m going to give you one more chance,” Justin said. Many men in The Sharon stood up and sang at the top of their lungs and Justin agreed they won the contest.
A highlight of this show was the fabled Motown choreography. Sydney and Kerry Justin, along with Conway and Swindell, were movin’ and groovin’ on stage all through the 75-minute concert.
“It’s really hot up here and you guys are tiring me out,” Sydney Justin told the audience. “It must be the humidity.”
The music was also scorching.
The Miracles put some flashy moves and soulful sounds singing a lively set that included, “Mickey’s Monkey,” and “Going to a Go-Go.”
After that song, Justin took a breather and slowed things down with a powerful 1965 ballad, “A Fork in the Road.”
“Life is too short,” Sydney Justin said, while introducing that song.
“You sound worried,” someone yelled from the audience.
Justin smiled and said, “Excuse me, but I am worried. People in this country need to learn to love one another. We are all the same and we need to be together.”
Then came a couple of show-stoppers.
Justin did Smokey proud with dynamic versions of “Tracks of My Tears” and “Baby Baby Don’t Cry.” He and the Miracles were spot on with the soulful beat and harmony on “Tears of a Clown” and a disco-flavored “Love Machine.”
The climax to the concert occurred when Justin sang Robinson’s all-time classic, “Ooo Baby Baby.” This is a demanding number and Sydney Justin earned his props with a remarkable vocal and emotional performance.
But these Miracles still weren’t finished.
“I met Marvin Gaye one time in my life,” Justin said. “When he was killed, it was a terrible loss to the whole world. Marvin Gaye was one of the greatest artists, ever. We honor Marvin tonight with this song.”
Then Justin, the Miracles and the band tore into the ultra-funky “Got to Give It Up.” The whole audience was rocking, clapping and singing with the song. It was an indelible musical moment.
Afterwards, Sydney Justin seemed drained.
“It was so hot up there but the people in The Villages were great,” he said, standing near the front of the stage with James Harris.
“The people in The Villages know this music and they love this music. They know it brings people together and that’s what Motown was all about.”
During the concert, Justin introduced Harris to the crowd. “I think James was the best quarterback in the NFL when he played,” Justin said. “We worked out together and he’s a good man.”
So was Marvin Gaye.
“It’s an honor to sing Marvin Gaye’s songs,” Justin said. “Just being here today and singing these songs, is a real blessing.”