OK, OK, the Commodores don’t have Lionel Richie as part of the act anymore. You’d be forgiven for writing them off as incomplete in that regard.
But even without their famous former co-lead singer, the Commodores remain a piece of impressive American musical history. Listen to their 1981 hit “Lady (You Bring Me Up).” You’ll hear the template for a lot of feel-good disco-pop that artists like Bruno Mars and others have revived. You’ll also hear music that might trigger flashbacks from rollerskating excursions of days gone by.
They weren’t the only ones doing it, but slap bass was elevated to an percussive-melodic art form of pop on their records. The Commodores could do funky and suggestive — like “Brick House” — but they always retained a kind of subdued nastiness. They sang about “freaky thrills,” which seems almost quaint now. The band formed when the members were all students at the Tuskegee Institute in the late ’60s. More proof that Alabama might be responsible for the best American music we’ve had.
The Commodores play a special Valentine’s Day show with dessert, prosecco and raffles at Ridgefield Playhouse 80 East Ridge, Ridgefield, Tuesday, Feb. 14. Reception at 6 p.m., show at 8 p.m., tickets are $135. 203-438-5795 and ridgefieldplayhouse.org.
