THE O'JAYS ARE STILL CAPTIVATING AUDIENCES"
No doubt, The O'Jays-without a current release-are still able to headline venues across the nation. Patrons of all generations enjoy the smooth vocals of Walter Williams; the tight choreography of Eric Nolan Grant; and the flawless showmanship of Eddie Levert.

I was simply amazed--once again--by this group, now a forty-year old musical institution who can still bring the house down. The O'Jays headlined the venue at the Crown Coliseum in North Carolina, on November 4, 2000. I had to be in "da house" since this group has had their hooks in me since my childhood. Earlier that day my partner-in-crime Anne Carter and I, were boarding our connecting flight from Charlotte to Fayetteville, when we discoverd the group were on the same flight with us. Anne had met the O'Jays once before. However, I had never met them.

I was cool when I looked up and saw Eddie Levert in line boarding the flight with us. Well, okay may be I wasn't as cool as I thought. I'll admit, I jumped out of line to get my hug on with Eddie. I'll admit I did this while never letting go of my carry-on luggage. And I'll admit that Eddie didn't stand a chance with me,someone who has loved and admired him since childhood. But Eddie didn't mind that I nearly jumped him. Infact, although he was loaded down with carry-on luggage himself, he managed to hug me back. As he, Anne and I walked down the corridor to board the aircraft, he was in somewhat disbelief that we had traveled from Washington, DC to North Carolina to catch the group's performance. One thing was for sure he didn't know how much I loved The O'Jays.

Hours later, Anne and I were sitting on the front row in the near capacity coliseum. There was no denying that these veteran performers would get their R&B groove on in the stellar manner they are accustomed.

Then the O'Jays took the stage, with their opening number "I Love Music". Then they followed up with a series of hits including "Use Ta Be My Girl", "Back Stabbers", "Darlin' Darlin' Baby" and "Love Train". I waited patiently for my favorite tune "Put Your Hands Together", and the opportunity to watch Eddie Levert dance. And boy did he danced. He demonstated some of the latest ones explaining to the stunned crowd that his grandson told him it would be "slick" if did them. Oh my God, does this man have incredible stamina or what? Never wiping the sweat dripping from his brow, Eddie began singing a string of his signature hits "Let Me Make Love To You", "Forever Mine", and "Cry Together."

The real treat was when they let Eric sing. Eric is the newest member who has been in the group about five years. Anne and I had met him earlier that day in the baggage claim section of the airport. Totally unaffected by his claim to fame, he posed for some photos with us before heading for his limo. "Sing it Eric" I yelled as he took the microphone. He put one hand in his pocket and began singing as effortlessly as breathing. After singing the first stanza of the "stuff he made up", it became apparent why this man is a member of the O'Jays.

When I felt a breeze lightly brush the left side of my face, I knew it was time for the always-so-cool Walter to showcase his phenomenal vocal range. And so he did,leading my personal favorites "Stairway to Heaven" and "Family Reunion. As Walter sang, I was hanging on to his every word, every breath, every note. Up and down, back and forth through the scale, he never missed a note. At the end of the group's performance of "Wildflower", I had tears in my eyes. The harmony on this song is so tight and sweet it always brings tears to my eyes. But this night, I was not sure if the song overwhelmed me as much as the wonderful gestures by Eddie and Walter. Earlier in the day Walter spotted Anne and I at the rental car counter at the airport. He walked over and waited until someone passed by so that they could take a photo of the three of us. Moments before taking the stage, Eddie stopped backstage to take photos with Anne and I. Perhaps they will never know what these gestures meant to me, but it is something I will never forget.

I dried my eyes, and jumped to my feet to get my groove on to the opening bass line of "For the Love Money". Shortly before they left the stage, I paused to watch their high stepping choreography, I was in awe of how The O'Jays are still entertaining after all of these years. Thank God there are some things that seem to remain the same... The Mighty, Mighty O'Jays that's for sure.

Written by Robin A. Jones 11/7/00