Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

There are some artists that just radiate so much style and panache that their every move is watched with a type of gleeful appreciation. Some lack the real high of sublime talent to see the style through to its logical conclusion. This is not something that can ever be aimed in the direction of Paloma Faith, for style read elegance, talent, she has by the bucket load and grace is something that seems to come naturally to her.

This was something that was easily seen as the night at the Philharmonic Hall started off, not with the main attraction, but with the orchestra, guided by the superb Guy Barker, showing off the prestige, a small teaser, of what was to come later on in a real show of Symphonic Grace.

Symphonic Grace was aptly titled, the near perfect arrangement between vocalist, a conductor with seemingly boundless energy and an orchestra that was a such a delight to listen to and take in every single instrument that the 42 piece ensemble provided for Ms. Faith. From Sonia Slany as lead violist, the ample and blossoming saxophones and brilliantly played cellos and a rhythm section to die for, Mr Guy Barker handled the orchestra with timeless passion, an abundance of wit and brevity and it seemed with one eye watching at all times the audience for their reaction to the music. The glint in his eyes told its own tale.

The evening though wouldn’t have been complete without the sensational vocal harmony of Ms. Faith and her two backing singers, the wonderfully dynamic Naomi Miller and Sabrina Ramikie. Whilst most backing vocalists are happy to appear in the background and give the lead all the help they want but staying well within the safety of shadows, both Ms. Miller and Ms. Ramikie flourished in the limelight afforded them by a very generous artist.

The night flowed with the aromatic headiness of the finest wine being poured gently into a crystal and highly decorative glass. With the main set of the night dedicated to her highly rated album Fall From Grace and with a moment or two put aside for some of Paloma Faith’s heroes. With tracks such as Let Your Love Walk In and When You’re Gone opening up the main event, other songs followed the same similar vein, played with the very epitome of the tour’s name, with symphonic grace. The collective sigh as she performed Nina Simone’s Wild Is The Wind was matched as she and the orchestra performed Blood, Sweat and Tears, Street of Glory, Upside Down, Agony the brilliant Picking Up The Pieces and Just Be to great applause.

The Philharmonic Hall lends itself perfectly to the vocal talent that resides inside the physique of Ms. Faith. Following on from the superb concert given by Caro Emerald earlier in the year, yet another sublime performance by a female artist was just what the Philharmonic Hall audience craved. With a wide and beaming smile on her face throughout the night, it has to be said that there should be no doubt that it was what Paloma Faith would have wanted also.

Ian D. Hall