Sande
returns with her second album ‘Long Live the Angels’ this September and with lead single Hurts. She was
the biggest selling UK artist of 2012 and sang at the Olympic ceremonies in
London when she had number one singles - 'Read All About It' with Professor
Green, and 'Your Beautiful' with Labyrinth. She hails from Aberdeenshire and
attended medical school in Glasgow. At that time she was travelling down to London
to work on song writing on her weekends.
Sande thrilled her fans with
her intimate return gig! She lit up the spiritual setting of the Oran Mor Auditorium
with old songs and new for the first gig of her mini tour. The sold out crowd of fans welcomed her with open
arms and sang along to the past hits and bounced to some of the new!
Emeli was in
her element to be back on stage and gave her all. She greeted us with her
genuine heart, soulful voice and rhythms, and warm-hearted smile. She said it meant so much to her to have us
there and to share not just in a music biz way. A more assured Emeli gave more
time, space and introspection in her music.
She performed enriching, heartfelt,
reaching out songs such as 'My Kind of Love' and the poignant 'Read All About it '–
to what is best in us. There was the gentle haunting beauty of 'Clown' and new
song 'Intermission' with only bass or piano backing her voice when she reaches
soulful heights. and in contrast the upbeat energy of songs like Rhianna’s 'Four Five Seconds',
Babe and 'Next To Me'. Her band felt very much a tight knit unit and the Oran Mor
auditorium a perfect setting.
Even the
older songs were given a more subtle feel while keeping those strong rhythms. She expressed both her new found confidence
and her vulnerability. In her moving new single 'Hurts' she combines sadness with
spiritual healing and hopeful renewals.
Sande spoke of her spiritual journey
since 2012. This is in part a break up album, as her marriage to long time
boyfriend Adam Gouraguine in 2012 didn’t work out. She is now in a new relationship. This is an
artist who’s been through more of life’s challenges and is stronger for them.
She digs deep into her musical roots of
choir singing (her father is a music teacher) her appreciation of soul, blues,
R & B and of great female songwriters like Nina Simone and Carole King.
Emeli combines memorable sing-along choruses, rhythmic beats along with
touching lyrics and melodies sung with her magnetic soulful voice.
It was hard
to believe it was 9 years since I saw her here for her first Oran Mor gig!
**SET
Intermission
Heaven
Give me Something
Every Single Little Price
Eight Five Seconds
This Much is True
Happen
My Kind of love
Hurts
Clown
Babe
High and lows
Next to Me
Read All About it
In December
2007 I went to see Emeli Sande play her debut gig at the Oran Mor for the
launch of her first ep. Back then she had big dark hair and was known as Adele.
She had a top band backing her and we thought she had an impressive voice.
Little did we know she would go on to have such huge success. I met Emeli at
her King Tuts gig and took photos back stage there. I am sure it must
mean a great deal to her to be back at the Oran Mor this Sunday for the first
gig to promote her second album Long Live the Angels and I am
excited to hear her new songs. My biggest thrill in 2012 was to take photos at
her Albert hall gig London!
My Emeli Sande galleries - http://pkimage.co.uk/emelisande
