‘A voice that dwells in the ghetto but heads for the boudoir’
Vanessa Haynes is back with a residency at Ronnie Scott’s Upstairs, bringing some of her new songs interwoven with those that we already know, writes Michael Holland.
The show started off nice and slow and drifted nicely up to us clapping in time, head-nodding and toe-tapping to tunes that never lifted the roof off but gave out the mellow vibe we were all there to feel.
The voice is still as sweet as she wants it to be but it can get down, it can rough it in the back alleys of Chicago, it can fight its way out of trouble and be welcomed into the penthouse piano lounges of Manhattan. Vanessa’s is a voice that dwells in the ghetto but at the switch of a note she takes it to the boudoir and leaves you waiting outside wanting more.
But, forget the American analogies, Vanessa Haynes is pretty much a London Girl; she sings of kisses in Regent Street and talks of driving an old Vauxhall. She interacts with the audience and jokes with her musicians, a band that completely aligns with her singing. Watching them play together brought it home how good it is to hear live music. Al Cherry in action on lead guitar was a joy to watch.
Listening to good musicians actually make music right before your eyes is something else; people and instruments combining at the right moment in time is a magical thing, no AI, no studio electronics to enhance or cover over cracks, just people loving what they do and sharing it with an audience. This was a tight band making a big sound that journeys through the Blues, Jazz, Funk and a deep spoonful of Soul to smooth out any pressures of the day.
For a finalé, Vanessa asked for suggestions of singers that she could perform in the style of, so we got bit of Tina Turner, an Aretha and even a touch of Prince, and just when she was getting in the mood for more it was time to go and prepare for her second show.
Booking and full details: https://www.ronniescotts.co.uk/find-a-show/vanessa-haynes-2
