To the uninitiated (like myself), MY BRIGHTEST DIAMOND is singer/songwriter Shara Worden accompanied on this occasion by a string section comprised of cello (Maria Jeffers), Viola (Marla Hansen - who also opened the night with her own compositions while strumming her viola like a guitar!) and French virtuoso violinist Olivier Manchon. Hailing from Brooklyn N.Y, MBD are in europe promoting their latest studio album: 'A Thousand Shark's Teeth', kicking it all off with last nights gig at the Soho Theatre.
In an atmosphere of hushed reverence, MBD's hard-core fans were treated to a set of songs(some old and some new) kicked into life by Wordens' quirky and passionate delivery. Dressed like the barmaid in that impressionist painting (by Monet, is it?, you art students out there know the one I mean..) Worden gyrated around the stage singing her heart (and soul)out and cranking out alternatively tuned noise on her .335 and Orange amp combo. How to describe her voice..? To me she sounded a bit like Tori Amos with Kate Bush thrown in there as well - kind of. Definitely theatrical, squeezing every nuance from a tiny whisper to bellowing and operatic top notes.
Now then, I said earlier: 'quirky'. Let me elaborate. 3 numbers in and after the croon-some 'If I were Queen', the show is suddenly turned into a mini jamboree whereby the string section run amock into the audience twirling kiddies toys and sprinkling the punters with silver glitter. Then, the top-hatted violinist pulls out an audience member and performs an hilariously bad card trick much to the delight of the crowd - well I said they were hard-core fans.. Then the music resumes. for a couple of more numbers anyway and then we're treated to Worden attempting to create giant soap bubbles on stage - did I mention 'quirky'?
Lyrically intruiging - and beguiling also, judging by the looks on the faces in the room, Worden sings about many things inspired by such topics as folding the laundry to fruit to a play inspired by treblinka.. The track 'Black and Costaud', sung in French was inspired by an aria from a Ravel Operea no less! The set was ended with 'L' hymne a l' amour' (I think) where-by the string-ists performed a live puppet show version of MBD's latest video - strickingly touching and with gentle humour.
MY BRIGHTEST DIAMOND are on tour in europe and the uk.
September
17th: Brighton
18th: Salford.
Check web-site for more details.
Single: 'From The Top Of The World'
Label: asthmatickitty.com
www.myspace.com/mybrightestdiamondwww.mybrightestdiamond.com