Human Nature's First Anniversary: In Their Own Theater And (For One Night Only) Singing With Smokey

When I looked back on my review last year of Human Nature's show Iremembered how I tried not to gush or use too many superlatives. It wasn't easy. Their tribute to Motown is stunning, especially because Human Nature -  Toby Allen, Phil Burton and brothers Andrew and Michael Tierney - is a group of four white guys from Sydney, Australia.

They began as a boy band called 4 Trax while in high school with their firsst hit coming in 1996. Smashingly successful for awhile, they had to grow up when their fans grew up. They released an album of Motown songs that made it to number one on the Aussie charts. They changed their name to Human Nature.had found their sound. Last year, with the suppport of Smokey Robinson, Human Nature opened in a Salute to Motown at the Imperial Palace in Las Vegas

On May 11 they celebrated their first anniversary at the Imperial Palace. In homor of their success the name of the Imperial Palace Theater was changed so, now, Human Nature (and the two other shows in the venue) are playing in the Human Nature Theater.  For the occasion, Smokey Robinson, an idol of theirs and the person named on the marquee as "presenting" the show, was in the house.

Dressed in black satin suits, they opened with Dancing In the Street and went on to perform a terrific Motown songbook - Just My Imagination, Baby I Need Your Lovin', The Way You Do The Things You Do, Stop! In the Name of Love (engaging the audience in the appropriate moves as taught to them by Mary Wilson who sang the original when she was in The Supremes), People Get Ready, Mr. Postman, My Girl - among them.

A six-piece band, several costume changes and choreography (originally by former Michael Jackson dancer Shannon Holtz) that move-for-move was perfect vintage Motown, all served to enhance the vocals and to embody the in both spirit and fact Motown at its peak.

Of course, Robinson joined them on stage for Tears of a Clown and an a capella version of  Who's Loving You,a song he wrote that ws made famous by Michael Jackson when he was 11 years old.

If you realize nothing else when you see Human Nature, you'll realize how this music is a part - a big part - of the soundtrack of your life. The demographic of the Motown audience spans ages, genders, races. We all know it (even if we don't realize we do) and hearing it is a kind of musical comfort food because it invariably takes us away from the here and now and transports us to other times. And, yes, even when it's performed by four white guys from Australia it is beautiful.

So, I guess I am still gushing. Human Nature is a phenomenon and a real treat. In fact, you should treat yourself to the show. You won't regret it.

Human Nature plays nightly except Friday at 7:30 at the Imperial Palace. Tickets range from $49.95 to $59.95 (plus taxes and fees). For information, go to the Imperial Palace website or call (888) 777-766.

Photo of Smokey Robinson and Human Nature ©Lindsay Hebberd/Cultural Portraits Productions

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