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Nokoa The Observer By Michael Lewis We had an exciting evening of Soul music with Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight, and Stephanie Mills at the Smart Financial Centre on Saturday, November 12, 2022. The concert was originally scheduled for February 2022. Believe me, it was worth the wait. Stephanie Mills is a Grammy award-winning singer, songwriter, actress, and Broadway star. Stephanie Mills started the evening with a fantastic band and background singers. The band played a couple of songs to warm the crowd up before Stephanie came on stage. Stephanie dedicated Respect the Power of Love to the audience and to one of her friends that is no longer with us. The three background singers showed their vocal strength with this song. Mills stated one of the background singers was borrowed from Jennifer Hudson. Stephanie has an incredible voice and she saved the best for last with “Home” the song from the Original Broadway musical, “The Wiz.” Stephanie passed out roses after her last song. Stephanie Mills left the stage with a power fist raised to match the yellow, red, and green power fist on the screen behind her. Thank you Stephanie for an awesome performance! For 2023 tour dates, visit https://iamstephaniemills.com/ Seven-time Grammy winner Gladys Knight was so excited to be on stage and singing, said she almost ran out of breath. Gladys's voice was truly awesome while she was singing, Best Thing That Ever Happen to Me. The crowd had to politely sing along. This is real soul music and singing. There were always big smiles on Gladys's face. Earlier this year in Austin, Gladys showed us her ring and said she was in love and happy. It was oblivious tonight too. Gladys told the audience that we all need each other. She said that Curtis Mayfield was one of her favorite people because he was kind and sweet. Then Gladys performed, The Making of You. Curtis produced the soundtrack to the movie Claudine. Gladys performed another crowd favorite, Neither One of Us. Gladys said Barbara Streisand sings her type of music and then she performed The Way We Were. Gladys stated she has had so many good things in her life. Gladys had three phenomenal background singers that helped with the song, I Heard through the Grapevine. Gladys performed a few gospel songs before she ended the night with Midnight Train to Georgia. Gladys wore a red pantsuit, and high-heeled shoes, and had delightful warmth and happiness during her entire performance. You would never believe that Gladys Knight is 78. Gladys is truly one of the best singers worldwide. For 2022 tour dates and tickets, visit https://gladysknight.com/2022-dates-final/ Multi-Grammy Award winner Patti LaBelle returned to the Smart Financial Centre since her last performance on February 14, 2020. At 78, Patti LaBelle sounds good and still hits the high notes on “If Only You Knew,” as she did decades ago. There was a standing ovation for LaBelle’s efforts. Patty LaBelle had several pairs of high-heeled shoes on the piano and her signature green chair next to it. Labelle performed in a yellow suit and high-heel green shoes after she took off her robe. For future tour dates for the “Godmother of Soul”, visit https://www.pattilabelle.com/touring © 2022 Michael Lewis Global Photography, All Rights Reserved
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