Emeli Sandé showcased her third album ‘Real Life’ and had most of her audience on their feet showing their appreciation.
In all my years of gigging, I can never recall anybody singing all the songs from an unreleased album at the start of a performance. This was the courageous step and it paid off.
My wife and I first became aware of Emeli Sandé in May 2010 when she was the support act for Alicia Keys. The role of the support act is a difficult one, playing in front of a half full audience most of whom are only at the venue to see the headliner. Very few artists shine in such circumstances but Emeli shone on this occasion and we have followed her progress ever since.
Before the music began, Emeli introduced her four piece band (guitar, bass, keyboards and drums) and her four backing singers. I am sorry to say that I cannot remember any of their names apart from keyboard player and musical director Nicky Brown, who we had last seen at the 606 Club in March playing keyboards for Anu Omideyi.
The first song from the album was ‘Human’ which began with Emeli on piano before she took centre stage. The songs on the new album showed many of the factors that have made her an outstanding artist. She has a very recognisable voice, writes memorable melodies and meaningful lyrics all embellished with outstanding musical production.
Emeli sang with confidence and spoke about her personal journey in life that had influenced her new songs. When introducing ‘Extraordinary Being’, she spoke of her desire to empower her audience to have total belief in themselves. All eleven songs from the new album sounded good and several have the potential to be be hit songs. The final song was ‘Free As A Bird’ a moving song which was dedicated to her Aunty who had passed away earlier in the year.
After receiving an ovation for her new album, the band left the stage and Emeli sang ‘River’ totally unaccompanied. Once again this was a risk paid off. Emeli then moved to the piano and her backing vocalists crowded round to sing ‘Clown’ which was effective in its stripped down version. Emeli was then joined by her guitar player with his acoustic guitar and sang the little performed ‘Suitcase’ from her debut album.
The band returned but the acoustic guitar was still prevalent on a stripped back version of ‘Heaven’ before a fully instrumented version of ‘Read All About It’. Emeli then sang ‘Mountains’ dedicated to her parents, who were in the audience, and she thanked them for the sacrifices they made in raising her and her sister in the UK.
The show closed with a rousing version of ‘Next To Me’.
This was a top class performance from a highly talented singer/song-writer which oozed confidence.
Johns London Music Reviews 