Gig review: SARAH CLASS – St James’s Theatre, London, 3 November 2015

First time for me at the studio part of this rather swish theatre and the seating and intimacy of the venue reminded me of a jazz club. The event tonight was the album launch for ‘Unity’ by Sarah Class, which marks her full length album debut as a singer/songwriter.

She is more known as the composer and producer of the acclaimed all girl choir Cantamus, which spent several months in the classical charts back in 2001, along with writing music for the BBC/Harvey Weinstein production of ‘The Meerkats’ and another natural history programme ‘Africa’.

Backed by a seven piece band Sarah Class played a set based on the album ‘Unity’. The music is a broad mix from the lighthearted ‘Too Folk For Pop’, which is an ideal song for daytime BBC Radio 2, through to the more reflective ‘A New Dawn’.

The single, ‘Northern Shore’, is the one song that drew me into the album with its Enya-approved chorus and it worked really well live with a trio of backing vocalists. Sarah also recalled the filming of the video for this song where she had to wear a mermaid like costume which resulted in a couple of near death experiences.

There were some nerves as you’d expect as Sarah is performing live, which isn’t the normal arena for her previous work as a composer.

I would imagine it is possibly harder as you are performing in front of mainly family and friends (including TV’s Bill Oddie) who will be watching your every move and wishing you well. It was an assured performance, helped by a very talented backing band, and proof that the album will work well in the live arena.

Enjoyable evening of music, that given its easy on the ear sound, should appeal to a wide audience. Hopefully after tonight’s warm reception to her live performance more live shows will be forthcoming.

Review by Jason Ritchie
http://www.sarahclass.com/

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