India.arie @ Shepherds Bush Empire, London 31/0/2006   By Anna Goodwin   Gathered in the Shepherd’s Bush Empire to see India.arie perform tracks from her latest album, ‘Testimony Vol. 1, Life and Relationships’, bets on whether the evening’s ‘special guests’ would supercede Floetry - the supporting act on her 2003 tour - spread like Chinese whispers around the theatre. Yet, it became clear as time wore on that the Shirley Bassey classics which had been playing quietly were not just background music but were turned up to serve as an unusual starter to the evening’s offering of soul food.   Despite the baffling introduction, from the moment India entered on stage, dressed in a white top and jeans, we were instantly reminded why we had come to see her perform. Her get-up was energetic and her vocal attack powerful as she launched confidently into her most recent hit, ‘I Am Not My Hair’. A good choice given that the song took on a life of its own live, especially half-way through when India tore off her headscarf and wig to reveal a shaven head – a stunt alas not new, but which nevertheless proved a case in point and sent a wave of excitement surging through the audience.   Not one to let us get complacent however, India then took the up-tempo vibe down several tones with her second track of the night. Sitting down at the keys to perform acoustic ballad ‘Loving’, her voice filled the space with its full tone and deep quality. Even with a mesmerising stage presence she remained free of the diva-like aloofness which can seep into the performances of even the most dedicated soul soldiers.   As she dropped more tracks from the album, the in-between confides kept a constant connection with the audience, varying sensitively between light-hearted moments, (“You know when you’re in love when your beau releases a well-tuned fart and you gaze in awe”), and anecdotes of deeper inspirations behind ‘There’s Hope’ and ‘Wings Of Forgiveness’. Both were penned after a chance meeting with Nelson Mandela in a South African hotel.   Speaking of her admiration for fellow artists, India kicked off a covers medley with  her version of Cyndi Lauper’s ‘True Colours’, to which she added an individual touch of flute playing no less, swiftly followed by Ne-yo’s ‘So Sick’ - a song she wished she had written herself.   Yet, the real treat was her well-known stuff from ‘Acoustic Soul’. ‘Back To The Middle’ and ‘Promises’, made way for the classic we had been waiting for - ‘Brown Skin’, which went down a storm. As she came back to sing an encore in the form of the powerfully simple ‘Ready For Love’, she had the crowd in the palm of her hand.   In fact, the evening showcased India doing what she does so well - delivering a heart-felt, special performance with ease. Indeed at times it seemed that for a free spirit such comfortableness held her back from being a little more adventurous with her vocal delivery. This, perhaps, she left to her band who provided spine-tingling harmonies and improvisation to suit.   This was a performance from which the crowd came away feeling invigorated – proof enough that India’s message of peace and love had been truly well-received.   Return To Concert Review Archive
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