Imelda May@Colston Hall, Bristol
In Bristol, Imelda May displayed the unmistakable assets that facilitated her breakout from the depressed Blues and rockabilly scenes where more talented singers are still floundering.
A figure hugging, Elvis-print dress had the 60+ rocker males purring, yet that curvy physique and striking makeup isn’t unattainable to the audience’s excited teenage girls; those more accustomed to photoshop-enhanced stick figures.
Imelda May’s status has been built on her accessibility and likeability that safe pop standards like Psycho couldn’t attain alone. Today’s pop stars don’t sing about loving your “wobbly bits,” and they don’t pay a visit the local chip shop ahead of playing a sold-out show. Whilst songs like Proud And Humble - delivered with heartfelt sincerity – make this journey-woman and her band’s feelings on late success abundantly clear, it was the anecdotes between songs that illuminated the stage.
Tales of struggling to get by playing Blues bars and an effortless connection with the crowd, she continuously involved the audience in routines and sing songs that ensured she received the same enthusiastic response for a lively Howlin’ Wolf Poor Boy cover as she did her hit single Johnny Got A Boom-Boom.
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