This Soul Sunday performance delighted its large Pizza Express audience and sent them home with smiles on their faces.
My wife and I had been to the very first Soul Sunday but had missed the following two. The line-up featured regulars Daniel Thomas and the JT Band (Leader Jason Thompson – Keyboards, Kenny Barry – Guitar, Chris Brown – Bass and Joss McKenzie -Drums) together with guest vocalists Sharlene Hector and Phebe Edwards.
The show started with all three vocalists singing the ‘Soul Sunday’ theme tune before Phebe sang a magnificent version of Whitney Houston’s “How Will I Know ‘ which set the standards for the rest of the afternoon. Daniel followed this with his ‘remix’ version of the Gershwin classic ‘Summertime’ before Sharlene sang ‘Dream on Dreamer’, the Brand New Heavies song. Already the energy in on the stage and in the audience was high. Phebe then slowed the tempo with a stunning version of Etta James,’ ‘At Last’ (one of the highlights of the show). Daniel then sang his funky remix of the Bee Gees ‘Staying Alive’ before Sharlene covered a Chaka Khan song. The first half closed with Stevie Wonder’s ‘Don’t You Worry Bout A Thing’.
The second set was equally as good. Sharlene sang two of her self-penned songs; Phebe sang one of her own. This was a risk but paid off because these songs did not seem to be out of place when sung alongside more familiar classics. The highlight of the set was, for me, Daniel’s ‘Amazing Grace’. The show closed to rapturous applause following a Diana Ross medley.
We were well aware of the vocal ability of Sharlene, who we had seen many times, both as a solo artist and a backing vocalist, the last time being at a Promenade Concert. We had seen Daniel several times at similar events and as a Gospel Choir member, so we knew what he was capable of, especially his love of improvisation. We knew little of Phebe but she was superb, her opener set the standard which her fellow vocalists responded to and made this show even better than the first Soul Sunday.
Soul Sunday continues every last Sunday of the month, for Soul music lovers it is a must see.
Johns London Music Reviews 