Remembered most famously for his recording of the searing protest song ‘War’, Motown act Edwin Starr spent the last 20 years of his life in the UK. His original band, The Team, fronted by Starr’s younger brother and former musical director Angelo, are still performing and bringing their years of respective experience to venues across the UK.
Entering the Pizza Express Holborn stage to a rendition of Starr’s ‘Stop Her on Sight (S.O.S.)’, the band proceeded with a plethora of soul/Motown covers. There can be tendency with such nostalgia-drenched setlists to descend into audience pandering. True, Angelo and the band actively encouraged their audience to participate, but never relinquished their own duties on stage.
Angelo is full of energy and passion, with a strong, full vocal reminiscent of his brother’s guttural tone. Beverley Miller on saxophone impressed particularly with her agile, fluid inflection.
Poking fun at some of the common conventions in soul music, the band segued playfully from Ben E King’s ‘Stand By Me’ into Bruno Mars’ ‘Just The Way You Are’, Sam Cooke’s ‘You Send Me’, and The Drifters’ ‘Under The Boardwalk’. Likewise with The Temptations’ ‘My Girl’ into a percussive take on Al Green’s ‘Let’s Stay Together’ and Sam Cooke’s ‘Wonderful World’. Stevie Wonder’s ‘Superstition’ into Queen’s ‘Another One Bites The Dust’ and The Sugarhill Gang’s ‘Rapper’s Delight’ was particularly smart.
Referencing Starr’s pre-Motown recordings with Ric-Tic Records, Angelo performed ‘Agent Double-O-Soul’ (1965) with a gorgeous a cappella intro before launching into the chorus. He brought the requisite abandon to the storming ‘Twenty Five Miles’ and the iconic ‘War’.
The biggest compliment one can offer is that the show is for both those who fancy a boogie, and those who want to hear an experienced band at their finest.
Full Band
Angelo Starr (lead vocals)
Ingrid Dunkley & Patrick (backing vocals)
Beverley Miller (sax)
Sebastian Beresford (drums)
Steve Owen (keys)
Steve Greaves (lead guitar)
Steve Lamb (bass guitar)
(Image taken in good faith from The Edwin Starr Band Facebook Page)
