Ever since Tanita Tikaram was such an appreciative audience member at one of the concerts in the live music series that I run in Rotherhithe, I have had my eye on what she’s up to. Her most recent major gig at the Barbican back in 2017 was one I couldn’t get to, writes Eleanor Thorn.
Her first, most famous hit “Twist in my Sobriety”, formed part of the backdrop as I approached the end of my teens (we are of a very similar vintage). In the era of Suzanne Vega and Tracy Chapman, Tanita shot from bedroom to big stage, equipped with guitar and an incredibly distinctive sound, and a gift for obtusely poetical songwriting. That first album “Ancient Heart” sold 4 million copies. So decades on, I was curious to see this EFG London Jazz Festival headliner, especially as I know her to have an eye for interesting, talented musicians.
From the get-go energy ran high: we were aboard the train of her impressive set. Tanita’s signature deep-toned voice set to brilliant music performed by six, then seven musicians all masters of their art: from left to right, Lewis McLaughlin (guitar and vocals), Marc Pell (drums), Andy Monaghan (bass), Midori Jaeger (cello and vocals), Helen O’Hara (violin), Bartek Glowacki (accordion), with latterly, a second cellist, Zosia Jagodzinska and ultimately seven members of the London Gospel Choir.
What we got was not only Tanita the great singer songwriter but the great orchestrator. Their set deftly balanced some of her most loved songs from the early days, giving them a full-band contemporary ‘twist’ – especially to “Twist…” -, which she introduced as her favourite and shortest, faster-paced version, with violin and accordion replacing oboe. Tanita gave us hints of a sophisticated knowledge and reverence of Music and its greats, referencing Philip Glass, Nina Simone, the Beatles, John Martyn (with “May you Never” as an encore song) and Molly Drake, mother of Nick Drake, whose “Love Isn’t A Right” has been the inspiration for her brand new album LIAR and title track, a magnificent reworking. It’s worth listening to the original to appreciate just how much so. Rich vocals & instrumentation added grandeur, aplomb and a darker sense of foreboding, reflecting her unease at the fragmented state of the world, her preoccupation with human rights and the need for activism to assuage a sense of culpability.
At several moments, instruments meet in a Steve Reich-like feverish convergence, with excellent drums, building a momentum only stayed by Tanita’s voice that acts like a conductor’s baton. At others, space is accorded to each, in a way that is beautiful and immensely satisfying to witness. The rest of the band melted away for “Valentine Heart” for the minimal guitar (quieter than the original piano) and violin. Whilst the woes of the world are the undercurrent, the winning message is one of LOVE, dedicating “Fais Moi la Solitude” to her partner Natacha Horn, and togetherness, citing Jo Cox MP. The melody and “beautiful sky” in “I See a Morning” brim with hope and impress with a superbly tight finish before a fun boogie to “Love is in the Air”, a surprising encore, to an adoring Royal Festival Hall audience on its feet.
Tanita Tikaram broadens all our definitions of pop. Like Leonard Cohen, Tom Waites and others, the range of her utterly unique voice sticks within the confines of a certain huskiness but her songs still take flight. She is personable, seemingly unscathed by her early exposure to fame and despite the flatness of her lovely red shoes, she jumps for joy. My fellow concert-goer, herself a talented musician, came away much impressed.
In support were first Zosia Jagodzinska on cello and voice, then singer songwriter Luke Sital Singh, both excellent.
The Jazz Festival runs till 23rd November and in the words of presenter Jumoké Fashola “Go see something you wouldn’t see normally.” Tanita Tikaram’s album LIAR was released in October.
Full festival details and booking: https://efglondonjazzfestival.org.uk
