Phillyist Playlist: The O'Jays at Liacouras Center

There are innumerable ways to open this concert preview. We could do straight down the middle, noting the sheer amount of R&B power taking the stage at Temple University this weekend. Or perhaps a witty (sexual yet tasteful) reference to starting a love train? But seriously, just look at the photo. Who wouldn't want to spend a Saturday night with these guys? Fuggedaboutit!

The blissfully harmonic O'Jays are the headliners for the Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia tour, which hits Philadelphia Saturday night supporting the compilation album of the same name. This four-CD box set is packed to the brim with pop standards that defined an era of American music, which largely originated in the Philly studios of Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. It includes other seminal artists such as Patti LaBelle, The Jacksons, Teddy Pendergrass, The Soul Survivors, Dusty Springfield and The Spinners. Aside: remember when every music group began their name with "the?" Those were good times.

This tour reunites an impressive array of artists who appeared on the original Love Train tracks, including the Delfonics, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, Jerry Butler and The Stylistics. But of course, the main draw remains the O'Jays, 2005 Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame inductees and proud performers of 24 (that's right, no typo) Top Ten singles.

The O'Jays epitomize the Philadelphia soul sound at its finest: intricate vocal arrangements and a smooth sound that can make a grown man cry. They were the flagship artist of Gamble and Huff's International Records. The group is best known for its Grammy-nominated utopian "Love Train," which continues to grace beer commercials to this day. Another song that has proven to have mainstream staying power is 1973's "For the Love of Money," a funky protest song that has since been copped by as varied interests as Donald Trump and miniature British rapper Lady Sovereign. We assume the royalties from these two songs alone will keep the trio's bathtubs filled with $100 bills for years to come.

The concert on Saturday night is the highlight of the Philadelphia International Art Expo, also held at Liacouras featuring hundreds of artists and exhibitions. Your ticket to the concert will also gain you admission to the Expo.

Between the weekend-long art exhibition and 4-6 hours of unadulterated 70s soul, the ticket price is sure to be worth the money money money money (money!). One might say Eddie Levert's vocal cords alone are worth the price of admission: he is sure to make this grown man cry.

Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia w/ The O'Jays, The Delfonics, and Harold Melvin's Bluenotes
Saturday, Nov. 14th
Liacouras Center (1776 N Broad St)
6 p.m. All Ages.
Tickets: $75, $65, $55