Live Review: Alyse Black
Singer/Songwriter and Societe Eclairee at Rumba Cafe in Columbus, OH
Halfway through her first nationwide tour, Black, along with Societe Eclairee, land in the Midwest for a late show promoting Black's debut album "Too Much and Too Lovely"
A visionary Aphrodite robed in green, Alyse Black stepped up to the microphone and took a deep breath. The room fell silent. Granted, it was only a room of a dozen or so, but had it been 12 dozen, the effect would have been the same. On Wednesday, May 14, Ms. Black and her touring ensemble, Societe Eclairee, performed at the Rumba Café in Columbus, OH. In the middle of her first nationwide tour to promote her debut album, Too Much and Too Lovely, Black brightened up the dreary Midwest with her jazz-pop melodies and her beautiful smile.
The Venue
The Rumba, located on Summit and Hudson in the University Area, is a quaint blues bar owned by Mark Henderson. With folk art on the walls, eclectic light fixtures providing dim illumination, and a patio out back furnished with tiki torches and umbrellas, the Rumba Café provides an exotic flair to the otherwise-urban Columbus. When the lights go down, the bar almost transforms into a bit of a nightclub, complete with a modest stage and colored spotlights, making it perfect for Alyse Black and Societe Eclairee.
The Band
Indeed, Ms. Black and her string trio, consisting of Thomas McGregor on violin, AC Benden on acoustic guitar, and Juke Wyatt on upright bass, were enough to make anyone speechless. Black in her flowing gown of Kelly green was breathtaking; Benden, Wyatt and McGregor were formidable in matching black and cowboy boots. But what really caught the crowd’s initial attention was not their appearance.
It was the initial feedback disaster. A loud screeching filled the low-ceilinged room, causing the patrons to cringe slightly and the owner to wince.
Just a minor bump in the road, Black played it off with a giggle and a shake of her long red-hair. A few adjustments and test-drives later, Black and her gang set out on jazz-fueled, acoustic-infused journey with Latin accents and foot-tapping good time.
The Sets
The group launched the night off with Black’s original number, “Sally All My Days”, a seductive grooving tune that was not brash enough to grab interest—rather, it lured in the audience with an enticing bass support and McGregor’s lilting violin. Black then followed up with an exciting cover of “La Vie En Rose”, which--while it might not have started off excitingly-- picked up and broke into Black’s signature jazz sound, creating a general rush of adrenaline, not only for the crowd, but for the musicians as well. Another original by Alyse, “Emeline” was a virtual vocal roller coaster, showcasing her expansive vocal range and fluidity. Benden added a Spanish flair with some intricate acoustic work, which worked well with the atmosphere of the Rumba.
Societe Eclairee, an established string-ensemble separate from Black, took over from time to time, exhibiting their own much-lauded talent. The fiery chanteuse stepped down from the microphone and mingled, allowing the band to waltz into a Bolero so salacious that one could almost be tempted to wipe the sweat from one’s brown. The players themselves were wrapped-up in a world of their own, oblivious to the bar atmosphere and bent on pursuing that tantalizing melody. The look of intense concentration on the faces of Wyatt, McGregor and Benden could only be called ferocious.
Black deftly intermingled her own songs with those of Societe Eclairee, giving the men a fair share of the limelight. Her own songs, plumped with ample solos, competently allowed string player to display their own musical proficiency. A few covers were sprinkled interestingly here and there, including a Jessica Rabbit song and “Blue Moon”.
The night was closed out with a phenomenal rendition of Ms. Black’s “Stood For Stand For”. The sparse yet attentive listeners were yet again moved to muteness. Those who had been in attendance for the entire evening could scarcely believe that the hours had already flown by, so enraptured they were by the warmth and glow of Societe Eclairee and Alyse Black.
Last Thoughts
Black and Societe Eclairee have a few more stops on their first tour, including shows in San Francisco and Seattle. She is collaborating and planning with several agents, and is constantly recording and planning for her next tour. Societe Eclairee has big plans for 2009, including a solo tour. Look for great things from both of these emerging acts in the near future.
Alyse Black's Offical Site
Societe Eclairee on Myspace
