Live
Candi Staton & Phantom Limb: Concorde 2, Brighton 09/04/10
I and soul fan Liz were nodded into the Concorde 2 by the charmless, cowboy hatted ticket seller and hussled into a mass of Candi Staton fans. Too poor to pay the cloakroom we stuffed our coats in a corner and headed for the salon, style bar which is almost the full length of the 'lounge'.
It's double doors to the concert room swung open and I stopped in my tracks. The voice of lead singer Yolanda Quartey of Phantom Limb was the reason. Her tremendous soul voice and stage presense had me transfixed to the spot, meanwhile poor Liz was standing 3 deep at the bar. The barman slid our drinks down the bar like an old Weston movie, then we galloped to the stage. I drew my camera and took many shots, in between standing mesmorised by the power house voice of quality and strength, combined with Yolanda's personality and stage presense. Soon I was surrounded by equally wowed fans. I felt I was being transported up to the ancient cave like rafters of Concorde 2 on a mountain of rocking soul.
Only temporarily interrupted by a country and weston style song, an odd choice amongst the soul/rock. The same thing happened during Candi Staton's performance, with 'If You Want To Break My Heart You Dont Have Far To Go". Why country and weston at a soul event? I dont get it!? Yolanda showed her range with a stunning rendition of 'Heart of Stone'. Her band of 3 guitarists, drummer and keyboardist, show their enjoyment and the excitment is infectious. What a warm - up, how could anyone follow that? After a long delay Candi did.
Candi and her band walked on stage to an eruption of appaulse and cheers from her adoring Brighton fans. One of her biggest fans has to be Chris co-owner of Concorde 2 who danced throughout. Candi is a great performer and lovely lady and after 12 years of singledom she married in January to an ex-baseball player, maybe that means there's hope for the rest of us!
1st song, 'On Broadway' followed by 'I Can't Breathe' warmed us up. She asked if anyone liked northern soul and got an enthusiastic reply, she sang my favourite 'Upper Hand'. I thought her vocals were a little quiet during this song. Next 'Stand By Your Man' had secured her a nomination for a grammy in 1971, she dedicated this to all the men in the audience, which didnt get a great response from the audience (I find the lyrics are out of date). 'Call me baby' lifted the audience again along with 'I'd Rather Be An Old Mans Sweetheart, Than A Young Man's Fool', was more uplifting. 1973 grammy nomination for Elvis Presley cover 'In The Gettto' was originally going to be sung by Candis ex-husband, but Candi got it and Elvis wrote to her congratulating her on her version. Candi and her backing singers had sang this well along with 'Young Hearts Run Free' (written about painful times with third, ex husband James) featured some outstanding solos from all highly talented musicians. I particually enjoyed the solos from Dan on Trumpet, Richard on sexy sax, and Mark on electric guitar - Less enjoyable, the overlong introductions...
The last song was the one I was waiting for 'You've Got The Love' used in Sex in the City drama and covered with great success in 2010 by singer Florence Welch. Candi could have done several encores but sadly only did one.... Just a quick mention; a third of the venue cleared when DJ Mick Fuller played his poor choice of 70's disco music.
Words Kath Newman
