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Beth Nielsen Chapman at the Barbican
Dec. 2nd, 2007 02:18 amA verse or two in to the special arrangement of "The Colour of Roses", Beth Nielsen Chapman turned around from the keyboard to take in the sight of the fifty strong Oriana choir performing her song. She turned to face us, the audience, and we could see how proud, honoured and overjoyed she was at the moment.
Put simply, pure bliss : a feeling that I had too, watching one of my favourite artists at the height of her powers playing to a rapt audience. "Sand and Water" always makes me tear up, anyway, however emotionally delicate or not I might be feeling, but tonight "All I Have", "Emily" and "The Colour of Roses" had the same effect. And we also had a captivating version of "Tears of a Clown", late 60s nostalgia with "Beautiful Fool"; intriguing, moving and beautiful songs from her spiritual quest album "Prism", an a capella folk ballad performed by Beth, her son and Julie Fowlis; and lightly worn musical virtuosity from her band - Pete Zorn, John Ragusa, Trip Dudley, Jessie Freeman and Maartin Allcock. "This Kiss", "World of Hurt", "Away Beyond the Blue", "Happy Girl".... I just hope that it won't be another three years before I get the chance to hear these live again. (I particularly appreciated Beth dedicating "All I Have" to Paulie Walters, one of the reasons why she can sell out the Barbican.)
Put simply, pure bliss : a feeling that I had too, watching one of my favourite artists at the height of her powers playing to a rapt audience. "Sand and Water" always makes me tear up, anyway, however emotionally delicate or not I might be feeling, but tonight "All I Have", "Emily" and "The Colour of Roses" had the same effect. And we also had a captivating version of "Tears of a Clown", late 60s nostalgia with "Beautiful Fool"; intriguing, moving and beautiful songs from her spiritual quest album "Prism", an a capella folk ballad performed by Beth, her son and Julie Fowlis; and lightly worn musical virtuosity from her band - Pete Zorn, John Ragusa, Trip Dudley, Jessie Freeman and Maartin Allcock. "This Kiss", "World of Hurt", "Away Beyond the Blue", "Happy Girl".... I just hope that it won't be another three years before I get the chance to hear these live again. (I particularly appreciated Beth dedicating "All I Have" to Paulie Walters, one of the reasons why she can sell out the Barbican.)
