SAUGUS — The Saugus Senior Center got a taste of soul and rock ‘n’ roll Tuesday afternoon when Jill Goldman and David Polatin took the stage with a Music from Memphis performance provided by the Saugus Cultural Council.
Goldman led with vocals and bass while Polatin sang backup and played guitar. The seniors also provided their own backup singing, hitting all the notes and filling the Center with song.
As part of the show, Polatin dove into the stories of all the artists they covered, showing the rich sound that came out of Memphis.
Songs included “Bring It On Home to Me” by singer and civil rights activist Sam Cooke, “Gee Whiz” by Carla Thomas, who Polatin described as the “queen of Memphis soul,” and “(Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay” by Otis Redding.
Throughout the performance, Goldman and Polatin joked about taking the crowd with them due to their enthusiasm for all of the music played.
Many of the seniors were able to sing along to the songs, and those who didn’t sing clapped their hands.
What really got the room moving, though, was Johnny Cash’s “Ghost Riders in the Sky,” Elvis Presley’s “All Shook Up,” and Presley’s “Blue Suede Shoes.”
The seniors formed a dance circle when Presley’s music hit, lighting up the room as Goldman and Polatin finished up the set.
“Memphis is truly the birthplace of the blues, rockabilly, and rock ‘n’ roll. Thank you all for coming. Today’s been a lot of fun. You’re a great audience,” Polatin finished before playing out to “Blue Suede Shoes.”
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
