Martha Reeves & The Vandellas - Celtic Connections 2012

What can I say about Martha Reeves? She is an all time musical legend.All I can say about this gig was that I had to leave after the fifth number. I couldn't take it, it was simply to good!The soul that emanates from this Lady is dazzling and fierce, add to this the fact that I could barely hold the camera for shaking my thang and that I was falling in love with both the Vandellas. I would love to consider myself a raucous wee soul G but in the end when faced with pure smouldering funk I had to turn tail and head for the hills.Man Alive!Not only is Martha a bona fide soul legend, she also has a strong social conscience. I like this in people, she cares about where she is from, supports her local scene and - has for decades picking local musicians over session pro's, or so I've been told - and battles for greater rights for ordinary people and musicians a like. I've never been to Detroit but from what I understand it's a pretty hardcore place and it sounds like Miss Martha is determined to make it better. She might be soul but this is a folk attitude and I applaude it.

"After serving on the Detroit City Council from 2005 to 2009, Reeves returned to full-time performing with nearly 50 shows in 2010, including a major tour of Australia. She appeared at several festivals in England during the summer, and for her performances was nominated for two UK Festival Awards, as "Best Headliner" and "Feel Good Act of the Summer."Reeves is a board member of AFTRA Detroit chapter. In 2007, she testified before Congress on behalf of musicians, session singers and recording artists for better wages and royalties. She was honored for her hard work and courage in 2007 by delegates and members of AFTRA. She is also on the board of SoundExchange, a non-profit performance rights organization that collects royalties on behalf of sound recording copyright owners and featured artists for non-interactive digital transmissions, including satellite and internet radio."

So not just a musical legend but a totally well rounded all time legend. Miss Martha I salute you.