(Review by Lance/photo courtesy of Mike Tilley to follow.)
Belinda Voshtina emerged upon the local scene via low key appearances in student bands (The Henchmen/The Shafafa Trio/Dropping Bombs); blues bands (The Narrators); Latin bands (Burundanga); big bands (Strictly Smokin') and various jam sessions - no doubt there have been others over the past 3 years since graduation. This melting pot of influence and experience provided the multi-lingual singer with the confidence and the ability to handle most gigs even exposed ones such as the Saturday night duo spot at the Jazz Café (Saturday Night is the Noisiest Night of the Week could be the theme song!)
With only Alan Law for support (only?!) Ms. Voshtina gave an assured performance of familiar material in both English and Portuguese.
Songs included Dindi; There Will Never be Another You; Black Orpheus; Georgia on my Mind; Sway; Moondance (a few bars of scatting thrown in); a Sergio Mendes tune (I didn't catch the title); Summertime (what kept you? I wondered); Comes Love; At Last â la Etta James. This latter number displayed, I felt, the real Belinda Voshtina. A rusty nail, broken bottle edge to her voice, the lady achieved the near impossible - temporarily silencing the barflies! For a Kiss; Autumn Leaves and Gee Baby Ain't I Good to You followed bringing my evening to a close.
An evening that, despite Belinda's beautiful performance, couldn't have happened without the talents of Alan Law. A compelling and inventive soloist and a sensitive and sympathetic accompanist, Alan and Belinda, with minimal (if any) rehearsal, gave those of us with bigger ears and smaller mouths (metaphorically speaking) a very satisfying evening.
Lance.
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