Laura Izibor - Live!

Last night I went to World Cafe Live (a sort of up-market Jazz Cafe), to see Laura Izibor perform. I was fortunate to meet and interview her some time last year (I've got a small clip of her singing James Brown 'Sex Machine' acapella on my dictaphone lol), so it was really good to finally see her perform. She was due to be on stage at 8pm, I arrived at about 7:20 as I was meeting some people and having dinner at the venue. I tried gumbo for the first time, it was alright, nothing to write home about - but was told that I need to go to Louisiana for some real gumbo.

I'd heard a few tracks from Laura's album so knew that I was going to hear some really good music, but what was also great about the show was Laura herself. She was conversational, charming and funny. I've been in her presence before but only for an hour or so, I knew she was down-to-earth but seeing her on stage was great: the singing, the talking, the 'stutting her stuff'. She was so at ease with herself and genuinely loving what she does and appreciative of the people who love her music. So easy to forget she's only 21 years of age!

It's almost soul-cleansing to hear real music today. There is so much junk and mish-mosh about I cannot get away from it. If it's not on the radio, it's on the TV, if not there then somebody somewhere is blasting audio nonsense for my poor ears to hear. (All genres I like are affected, with the exceptions of reggae and soul...not too much there - but then you'd really have to be able to sing, no auto tune to cover you - literally!) And to hear good music, live - wow, there is no comparison!

I was planning to stay and get an autographed copy of her CD and a photograph, but the queue was ridiculous!

Anyway enough ramblings from me. I didn't get any really good shots as I was sitting in a decent spot for viewing purposes, but not really for a phone camera or a Casio that isn't really a professional pictures kinda camera!

So enjoy the videos instead (I managed to get a full performance of 'Mmmm' - which used to be my [only] favourite Laura Izibor song, but since this evening I have added to the list)

'What Would You Do'

*I'm not sure what this one is called, but enjoy anyway...

'Perfect World'

I had to split the Mmm peformance in two because of the size.



'Mmm Part One'





'Mmm Part Two'

She gave us a little treat by performing a bit of 'Real Love' by Mary J. I wish I had caught the change from Laura's song 'Shine' to 'Real Love' because it was brilliant, but so unexpected. So here's what I got before my memory card finished:

'Real Love'


Hope you enjoyed!