Kandace Springs’ performance was outstanding. It demonstrated why she is one of the rising stars in the jazz/soul field.
My wife and I had last seen Kandace perform at the London Jazz Festival six months earlier. The show opened with ‘Novocane Heart’, a song co-written with Carl Sturken and Evan Rogers, from her debut album ‘Soul Eyes’. The audience was instantly engaged with the performer. This song was followed by ‘Breakdown’ from her second album ‘Indigo’ which she co-wrote with Jamie Hartman (who wrote ‘Human, Rag’n Bone Man’s hit song).
Kandace performed two set featuring songs from her first two albums and some covers of songs written by women who have been her influences and will feature on her forthcoming third album. Kandace was ably supported throughout by her band: Chris Gaskell (Double bass and Electric Bass) and Jeremy Dutton (Drums).
Kandace is very good at taking very well-known songs and interpreting them in her own, very believable, way. I remember, on the first occasion I saw her supporting Gregory Porter, how good her version of Ewan MacColl’s ‘The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face was. On this night, it was the penultimate song of her second set. There were strong covers of Sade’s ‘Love Is Stronger Than Pride’, Lori Lieberman’s ‘Killing Me Softly’ and Michel Legrand’s ‘What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life’.
My favourite songs of the night were both from ‘Soul Eyes’, the Judi Tzuke composed ‘Place to Hide’ and Kandace’s own ‘The World Is A Ghetto’.
The show closed with ‘I Put A Spell On You’, which featured a lengthy piano introduction confirming that Kandace is an exceptionally good pianist, followed by ‘At Last’, the Etta James classic.
During the evening Kandace showed her sense of humour. She recounted a story about meeting Norah Jones by chance and how excited they both were. She told Norah about the concept of her third album and asked if Norah would sing a duet with her, Norah agreed, Kandace sang the song solo but did a Norah Jones impersonation when she got to her part. At the end of the show she teased the audience by appearing at the stage door three times and then closing the door before returning for her encore.
Kandace is a very talented singer, song-writer, pianist and performer who ought to enjoy a very successful musical career.
Johns London Music Reviews 