Live
Krystle Warren Soho Theatre 27/02/10
The intimate atmosphere of the Soho Theatre seemed to be the perfect spot for the in form anglophile, ladies and gentlemen I give you not Grace Jones but the rather wondrous Ms Krystle Warren.
A Missouri-born former busker in New York based in France, I believe with a strong and ever growing UK fanbase. We've covered her lots at B&S but this was a golden opportunity to see her in action at the cosiest and possibly smallest of venues.
Kicking off totally unplugged - KW knows how to set the mood drawing the seated audience into her private little world, the chanteuse weaved her spell and we were mesmerised and totally hooked from the off! Showcasing her critically acclaimed album 'Circles' Warren wasted no time at all in dispatching solo acoustic renditions with consummate ease and precision embracing sheer simplicity in her playing, i.e. plaintive strumming culminating in disjointed jazz grooves with expensive chords to boot!! This breathy balladeer whose had the critics wetting themselves is forging the path to greatness and what you won't get just from just buying the album is just what a great performer this lady is! Perhaps a secondary acting career may beckon for her? She is so natural on stage and her dry humour, an added bonus to her many talents.
There is no pigeon-hole to force her into either she being equally at home at the recent London Jazz Festival’s 'Jazz Voice' evening at the Barbican alongside the likes of Kurt Elling and Natalie Merchant; supporting country singer Diana Jones at Union Chapel; touring with the high priests of vocal play Naturally 7; or appearing alongside Green Gartside, Lisa Hannigan Teddy Thompson, Robyn Hitchcock, Scott Matthews and Vashti Bunyan on the recent 'Way To Blue evening – The Songs of Nick Drake' tour.
Her music is a kind of languid cry to the soul her aural saturation suggests an intimacy that seems to be achingly private yet permeates the psyche in such a curious fashion. KW is a mosaic of many pieces, you really are transfixed by her zen like presence. Her little ad-lib story telling chivvies the evening off nicely. Anecdotal announcements and brief descriptions of some of her material never fails to impress and make the listener cry and laugh in the same breath e.g her song about "You're not the one but you're someone and someone will have to do!!" A bitter sweet sentiment if ever there was one!!
Stripped bare her songs like all good songs stand up to being solo and Warren like a seasoned lion tamer had the whole place clapping and singing along just exactly when she wanted it to happen. 'My Third Love', 'Yuletide Carol' and many others flowed like wine and we had our fill believe me! With guest backing singers it was time for a bit of fun, a flight of fancy, a moment of madness a Take That song! 'Back For Good' OMG the guilty pleasures kicked in and making it her own she brought the house down, the wry smiles said it all, KW is just playing with us!!
Laughing aside this special sista delivers more than just song, there's a powerful expression of humanity and an emotional impact that goes way beyond the norm, leaving a sensational after taste - so do yourself a favour, savour her, it's well worth it and you'll revel in the experience.
Words Emrys Baird
