Mary Wilson may not be the best-known member of The Supremes, but she can lay claim to being in the group longer than anyone other member of the trailblazing female super group. Take away The Supremes moniker and Wilson is an incredible performer in her own right, combining raw talent with an elegance that is matched by her humility.
Wilson performed two shows at Seneca Niagara’s Bears Den Saturday, I caught the matinee performance in the intimate venue. As expected, Wilson lived up to her status as a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, and put on a wonderful show filled with great musical moments and spontaneous interactions with the crowd.
As soon as Wilson hit the stage, she filled the room with her radiance. Wilson combines all of the elements of the great female performers from the sixties. Her performance combined elements of Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner and Diana Ross. Whether she needed to strut around the stage belting out a Rolling Stones cover like “Satisfaction” or a beautiful ballad like Sting’s “Fields of Gold,” Wilson pulled it off with precision.
What really made the show work was her obvious love of performing. Wilson’s command of the stage is awe-inspiring, regardless of the size of the venue. Every up and coming performer should be required to see Wilson.
After the show, Wilson graciously signed autographs and posed for pictures for an hour after the show. In spite of a hectic evening of travel and a second show scheduled for later that evening. Wilson smiled and joked with her fans and didn’t rush any of them through the line. After all the fans were gone she gave a great interview to BackstageAxxess, one that you will see on the site shortly.
Set List:
Love Child (The Supremes)
My World is Empty Without You (The Supremes)
Reflections (The Supremes)
You Can’t Hurry Love (The Supremes)
Come See About Me (The Supremes)
Fields of Gold
Think (Aretha Franklin cover) You Are So Beautiful(The Supremes)
Bad Case of Lovin’ You (Robert Palmer cover)
Baby Love/Stop! In the Name of Love (The Supremes)
You Keep Me Hanging On (The Supremes)
Walk the Line
I’m Changing
Someday (The Supremes)
Satisfaction/Brown Sugar medley (Rolling Stones Covers)
Encore:
Last Dance (Donna summer cover)
All Photos by Gus Griesinger
We would like to thank Tony Astran from the Seneca Niagara Casino for allowing BackstageAxxess.com to review the show.
Go see our exclusive Mary Wilson giveaway as well: Mary Wilson Giveaway.
