Amsterdam – 23rd February 2014

 

Sold out… twice this Sunday. The Sweet Soul Music Revue. A memory lane of soul in Amsterdam RAI. Special guests arrived and taking their seats in the audience: Gaynel Hodge (The Platters) and Peter Depoe (Redbone). Let the show begin…

 

‘The Sweet Soul Music Revue is not only about music, its a homage to the heroes and heroines who enriched our planet through their art and work. From Emmett Louis Till, Rosa Parks, MLK, Sam Cooke (Change is gonna come), The Brothers Chambers etc… The one Soul who made a different.´

Klaus Gassman, director, saxophone and guitar player, is the brain behind this magnificent concept theater of Soul. Forwarding history and legacy with a introduction of the artist and period of time. The show has all kind of elements of joy and brings me back to those days of fun and listening to the music. Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, Etta James, Tina Turner, The Platters, The Temptations and so on… The whole audience was standing, dancing and clapping. And not only that… they did those famous soul dance passes. Yes the RAI was totally shaken up.
 

Klaus Gassman: Our revue is a homage of great artists of that era 50s ,60s, 70s, 80s,. We actually tribute the icons of soul. The revue takes all the people on a historical journey with songs they know. In those days everything was about making music, joy and sending a message out. The vibe of these artists and their music is one you never can forget. It´s funny, but most of the time you know the song before it started. So yes, I still feel the passion and love the rhythms of old school Soul. What’s more interesting is that here in Holland everybody recognize the songs immediately and knows the lyrics. That is amazing and it gives a wonderful interaction with the audience. We are seeing at least three generations singing and dancing, can you imagine? For me that is wonderful to experience and that gives so much good energy.
 

After the break, the showhost-presenter  Frank Riley did a great introduction for Gaynel Hodgeand Peter Depoe.  Hodge and Depoe recieved a warm standing ovation in the RAI. This prelude was to start to sing the songs of the Platters and more. Sung by Daniel Stoyanov as the leadsinger. It was all a great honor but that was not all….
 

Joy, singing, asking, informing and so one…

As Gaynel Hodge is saying, love those people and love to be a mentor. I have so much experience to share with good musicians with passion and I still love my job! I still love singing and dancing. I guess that is something you know, like its in my vains…..

 

It was a great encounter backstage, to meet the whole cast of Sweet Soul Music Revue. All those artists singing those legendary songs. Songs to remember. When Gaynel Hodge and Peter Depoe were entering the room there was immediately interaction on different kind of levels. The energy was getting higher and it sure felt good. Everybody could asked Hodge all sort of questions which he answered with a big smile and give them a live story information about those days…with his brother, the Platters and all the legends Hodge met from those days or worked and played with. Meanwhile we learned what kind of influence those artists had in these days when Tess is telling us about her mom and dad, who were having every day the same question in the early days. What record should be played first? The Platters (mom) or Tina Turner (dad) ? It was great for Tessa to meet her mothers idol Gaynel Hodge. Not only her moms favorite but hers as well...

 

Gaynel Hodge: It’s good to see that people still love our music and have precious memories with us doing what we have done. Although I am still doing, love to sing and dance. I brings joy to everybody. We are part of this era of great music and musicians, which always be authentic and never will be forgotten. I am glad I am part of that history and still sing and do what I do best. The young generation is more interested in Soul and Motown these days. So happy to be a mentor.If you look at their bandleader, that is a great musician and bandleader. You can see that and you can feel that.

 

Peter Depoe: ’We sharing history of music with each other and we know together so many people. We can tell stories to one another and have a laugh. Of course I like to meet others drummers, we make the beat, that is were what its all about…. I still remember when we played here with Redbone, in Paradiso that were great times I can tell you. To see all those people giving me a standing ovation, felt like a homecoming. So it was great to meet them all, and good to know I still have a lot of fans here.

‘Young and old were presents to take those legendary moments with those artists to the future. After the show the artists went to the lounge to have a little chat and for signing their CD and book. Not only the crew from Soul Sweet Music, but also Gaynel Hodge and Peter Depoe where framed in timeless pictures with family friends and kids. People were asking all kind of question they always wanted to ask. For me it is good to see that music has no boundaries but brings only joy. Klaus Gassman and your wonderful team, thank you all for the heartwarming welcome and sharing. What a great legendary show! 

 

The Sweet Soul Revue

The band : horn section of five, percussion and for the authentic soul sound the famous Hammond organ

Presentator: Frank Riley

Leadsingers: Jimmy James, Derrick Alexander, Klyive, Daniel Stoyanov, Marites Dabasol-Smith, Laeh Jones

Musical Director: Michael Webb  
Producer/Bandleader: Klaus Gassmann  www.sweetsoulmusicrevue.com