the barbican - york
york press - november 1991
Despite the distance from the press row to the stage, there was no doubt, from the first note she sang, that this was Elkie Brooks.
Dressed in a white jacket and black slacks, she gently wooed the packed house with a selection of numbers, sending that gravelly but melodic voice sailing out over the crowd, And,althoug the band members seemed isolated from each other on the massive stage, their inividual talents knitted together to form a solid base for the largely immobile Brooks to build upon.
After No More The fool, Fool If You Think It's Over and songs from her new album, the ex- Vinegar Joe member ended the first half of her concert with the powerful and exquisite Lilac Wine.
Back wearing a dress, the singer upped the tempo in the second set, even trotting out her young son to sing backing vocals.
Pearl's A Singer brought the house down, as did the latest single The Last Teardrop.
Elkie's voice is at its best skipping jazz-style across the music, and songs with a strong melody of their own, like Nights In Withe Satin, force her to mute and blunt the cutting edge of her voice. But who cares? It makes her own songs sound even better.
A Fine concert indeed.
- Tony Mallett
the barbican - york
york press - march 1993
Songstress Elkie brooks modestly describes herself as "not a bad crooner really". The 2,000 strong audience who witnessed Elkie's dynamic performance at York's Barbican Centre on Saturday night would agree that she is certainly this and much much more.
Her voice is like a vintage wine - it becomes richer and more full bodied with the passing of time. Few female vocalists in the UK could equal her powerful perormance on stage.
Elkie had the audience spellbound form the first number, No More The Fool, right through to a memorable Lilac Wine.
Her selection included some numbers from her latest "jazz" album, Round Midnight, and while many might not share Elkie's passion for jazz who could deny her a little indulgence when there were hits to savour like Sunshine After The Rain, Fool If You Think It's Over and Nights in White Satin?
Elkie's virtuoso perormance was matched by that of her band, especially 21 year old keyboard player Andrew Murray and guitarist Paul Dunne. This was stunningly dressed Elkie's second visit to York and hopefully she will return soon.
Another notable success for the Barbican
- Alan Wright
the barbican - york
york press - april 1994
There is definately only one Elkie Brooks. Over the years, she has been constantly compared to Rod Stewart. But last night's performance at the Barbican centre demonstrated how versatlie, distinctive and powerful her voice is. She must get pretty fed up with the old Rod comparison.
The first half was very much a mellow affair, Elkie's sons Jay, 14 and Joey, seven, made a brief appearance for two numbers early on and then the show really got under way. Cover versions and old favourites such as Don't Cry Out Loud and Chicago's If You Leave Me Now loosened up the crowd. This mellow theme continued with a few haunting numbers and a hint of raunchiness in the classic Honey, Can I Put On Your Clothes from the Two Days Away album. By now, things were really warming up.
The second half saw a change from a pure white outfit into all black. This certainly reflected the mood. Gone were the romantic, soft tunes and the audience was hit with some classic blues and jazz numbers. Two were from the new album Nothing But The Blues, and there were other Nina Simone and Billie Holiday numbers. It was now that Elkie Brooks really seemed at home becoming completely immeresed in the songs as if she was the only one in the auditorium.
In some repsects, it was a gamble as she had played much of her hand in the first half. But it was obvious that the audience was not just there for the old favourites. However, she had a few aces up her sleeve. When she launched into Pearl's A Singer, it was hard to believe tha this was originally a hit in 1975.
Less than an hour after managing only 15 minutes of Top Of The Pops, I would be amazed if any audience would be glued to any of the acts in two years, let alone 20. This left me even more convinced that, vocally, Elkie Brooks is in a league of her own.
- Janet Perrins
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