Power-surge vocals and blasting horns
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Annabel Williams has delivered backing vocals for the likes of Al Jarreau, Cee Lo Green, and Michael Bolton. In addition, she was appointed the official vocal coach for The X-Factor and Britain’s Got Talent. Last night, she performed a lively set at the Pizza Express Jazz Club in Soho.
With storming energy, Williams turned the dial straight up to ten with a rendition of Martha Munizzi’s gospel smash ‘Glorious’. She admitted herself that her setlist was rather ‘self-indulgent’, performing her favourite fun jams and emotional ballads. Powerful singing and electric work from the band were consistent throughout.
Vocally, Williams is a juggernaut. Most songs with laden with high belts and riffing, if sometimes unnecessarily. Indeed, while never faltering with vocal control, it was occasionally frustrating to hear Williams pitch songs too high and thus deny focus to the softer, more delicate tones of her instrument.
But admittedly, the high-octane vocals often worked well – especially on a rendition of Chaka Khan and Rufus’ ‘Ain’t That Peculiar’ (a cover of the Marvin Gaye song). Simone Daley-Richards and Bobbie Gordon provided strong backing throughout, and were each invited centre stage to perform solo. Gordon impressed on a rendition of Lauryn Hill’s ‘Ex-Factor’, revealing a distinct recording voice.
The second set veered into bluesy territory with more unexpected, interesting material. ‘Wang Dang Doodle’, written by Willie Dixon and popularised by Koko Taylor, displayed Williams’ playful phrasing and raspy tones. Her rendition of The Box Tops’ ‘The Letter’, popularised by Joe Cocker, had blasting horn work. An obscure (and welcome) choice of the Tedeschi Trucks Band’s ‘Anyhow’ was a slow-burn showcase for the band.
For all the power of her top chest notes, Williams’ most compelling performance of the night was a poised, immaculately controlled rendition of Burt Bacharach’s ‘This House is Empty Now’.
The Full Band:
Annabel Williams (vocals)
Bobbie Gordon & Simone Daley- Richards (BV)
Matt White (guitar)
Dan Drury (bass)
Bob Knight (drums)
Graeme Flowers (trumpet)
Ben Treacher (saxophone)
Steve Corley (keys)
(Image taken from Pizza Express Live website)
