Michelle John gave an outstanding vocal performance that delighted her Pizza Express audience.
Few singers would have the courage to take on songs made famous by Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Celine Dion, Tina Turner, Mariah Carey, Chaka Khan and Shirley Bassey in a single performance and very few would have been as successful as Michelle. The songs gave her an opportunity to demonstrate the power, range and control of her magnificent voice.
The show started with ‘Diamonds Are Forever’ and was followed by a medley of Aretha songs including ‘I Say A Little Prayer’ and ‘Natural Woman’. All the songs Michelle sang were superbly delivered. My favourites were Mariah’s ‘Anytime You Need A Friend’, Whitney’s ‘I Will Always Love You’ (during which she hit the high notes with ease) and Celine’s ‘Because You Loved Me ‘ (which Michelle used as a song for Jesus, proudly showing her faith).
During the second set Michelle sang two of her own songs ‘Raising A Man’ and ‘Priceless’ which were not out of place alongside the other better known songs.
Nearly all the audience got up to dance to the penultimate song Chaka Khan’s ‘Ain’t Nobody’ before she closed with Tina’s ‘Proud Mary’.
Throughout Michelle was superbly supported by her excellent band featuring guitar, keyboard, bass and drums.
Michelle has a voice that can be compared favourably with those of the Divas whose songs she sang. After twenty years of singing backing vocals she now excels as a solo performer. There are many very talented singers in the UK but I cannot think of any who has a better voice than Michelle.
Johns London Music Reviews 