Concert Review: Gladys Knight

• Gladys Knight     
• Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts – Kansas City, Missouri   
• November 19, 2023

Multi-Grammy Award winning Gladys Knight’s performance in front of a sold-out audience at the Kauffman Performing Arts Center was an entertaining 90 minutes of original hits as well as crowd pleasing covers including a raucous version of the Jackson 5’s  “Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)” or the poignant “The Way We Were,” a hit for both Barbra Streisand and Ms. Knight.   Backed by a trio of ladies (but no PIPS ☹ )  and an impressive band, the Empress of Soul proved she still has what it takes to deliver her style of music.

While I wasn’t familiar with every song, the hits were certainly a treat to behold. “Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me”,” Love Overboard”, “I Heard it Through the Grapevine” (recorded after Marvin Gaye but released first) Grammy winners “Neither One of Us *Wants to be the First”) and my all-time favorite “Midnight Train to Geogia”.  I really missed the classic choreography of the Pips for that one……

It is always nostalgic and does my heart good to see the musical stars from my childhood, even in their waning years.  The style and talent such as Gladys Knights is no longer a part of the music industry of today…IMHO.

Ms. Knight’s tour continues both in the sates and in Europe through July 2024.  For tickets and more information, please click HERE.  

While I was unable to get a set list for this show, here is a set list from a recent show to give you an idea of what to expect when she comes to your town!

Taste of Bitter Love, Love Overboard, Every Beat of My Heart, Daddy Could Swear – I Declare, Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me, Oh! What a Love I Have Found, On and On, I’ve Got to Use My Imagination, Shake Your Body (On to the Ground), Save the Overtime (For Me), I Heard it Through the Grapevine, The Way We Were, Midnight Train to Georgia, Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye), If I Were Your Woman.