An icon in British soul music, Ms Beverley Knight will be celebrating her 25th year in music at the Royal Festival Hall on 23rd May. In advance of what is likely to be a thrilling concert, we have broken down our five favourite Beverley Knight performances. 

–

5. ‘Piece of My Heart’ on BBC Radio 2, 2010

Though popularised in the mainstream by Big Brother and the Holding Company with Janis Joplin on vocals, ‘Piece of My Heart’ is a gem of vintage soul. It was the breakthrough single in the short-lived but still fruitful music career of Erma Franklin, sister of the late Queen of Soul. Recorded for her 2006 ‘greatest hits’ album, Knight’s interpretation strikes a balance between the conventional soul of Erma’s rendition and the raucous rock of Janis Joplin’s take. She did an even stronger version live on BBC Radio 2 back in 2010. Passion and grit in abundance.

4. ‘Rock Steady’ at The London Hippodrome, 2017

For a charity concert at The London Hippodrome in aid of The Terrence Higgins Trust in 2017, Ms Knight and her cast members in Memphis the Musical performed a scorching rendition of Aretha Franklin’s ‘Rock Steady’. Turning the 3-minute song into a 7-minute extravaganza with a gospel breakdown, Knight ripped through the song using her lioness growl and pointed melismatic touches. Her energy throughout was incandescent.

3. ‘No Man’s Land’ on Later… With Jools Holland, 2007

Though a brilliant interpreter of other people’s material, Knight’s original songwriting is often overlooked. Recorded for her fifth studio album Music City Soul (2007), ‘No Man’s Land’ was written by Knight, Jimmy Hogarth, and Eg White and drew upon Knight’s sense of aimlessness following the end of a long-term relationship. Her performance on Later.. With Jools Holland saw Knight restraining her vocal powers in favour of an honest, vulnerable, and devastating performance.

2. ‘Twist and Shout’ at Abbey Road Studios, 2013

As it stands, this tune from The Top Notes (later recorded by the Isley Brothers and then The Beatles) is a lot of fun. Knight injects the energy of the church into her rendition, recorded live at Abbey Road Studios back in 2013. With a full ensemble behind her, Knight takes her time with the song, mixing some of her soulful licks into the verses. As the song crescendos, Knight scales the heights of her vocal range. It is a frenzied rendition, enlivening the excitement of the lyric, but so impeccably controlled at the same time.

1. ‘One More Try’ at The Porchester Hall, 2011

Regarded as one of the definitive ‘blue-eyed soul’ singers, George Michael has a repertoire which often channelled the sounds and musical traditions of Black America. His 1988 single ‘One More Try’ – an aching ballad about losing faith in relationships – is a powerful example of this. Knight recorded ‘One More Try’ for her 2011 album Soul UK – a tribute and celebration of British soul singers. Her performance of the song at The Porchester Hall is a masterclass in emoting through song. The addition of gospel-infused instrumentation and backing vocals creates a simmering intensity. Knight begins delicately, before amping up the anguish.

Read our review of Beverley Knight’s performance of the Stevie Wonder songbook at the London Palladium here.

(Image Copyright: Senbla)