Monday, November 26, 2007

Emma Ninel and Beth Southwell

We had a magical evening of music on Wed, Nov 21st. We gathered at the Vancouver East Cultural Centre to hear the first of the Violet Femmes showcase concerts.
Emma Ninel travelled from Denmark with the amazing Gustaf L, lapsteel player extraordinaire.
Beth Southwell literally lives around the corner from the Cultch, so it was a short journey to the stage for the first set of the night. Beth had her new band with her and they shone brightly for this, their first performance together. Elise on violin, Wayne on drums and Bahiyyih singing angelic back up vocals made a sweet addition to Beth's well crafted songs. Jesse Waldman joined them on guitar for the last three songs, adding punch and charisma.
Beth sang with total commitment and moved the audience with her unique song styling, phrasing and emotional depth.
Emma took her audience into the silence, as she requested no applause for the first part of her set. Emma played the VECC's grand piano and it seemed a waterfall of sound was cascading, surrounding the audience, a sensation that rose and fell with her soulful, healing vocals. Emma heals the soul with her simple, haunting melodies.
It was Emma's birthday, so we finished off the evening with a beautiful birthday cake, candles and all. After blowing out her candles, Emma treated us to an acapella version of 'One Little Spark."
The audience exited to the foyer where cake was enjoyed by one and all.

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