alexandra theatre - birmingham
birmingham evening mail - november 1998
The lady still has that magical star quality despite the passing years - and it's evidenced in her powerful gospel voice, which has taken on a richer, more gravelly tone.
Backed by an excellent four-piece band, she appeared somewhat uncomfortable at the start but gradually loosened up - helped by a duet with her eleven year-old son Joey on The Other Side Of Life. Splendid hits from the last 20-odd years followed one after the other, from Fool If You Think It's Over and Lilac Wine to Gasoline Alley and Don't Cry Out Loud.
Her voice seemed to go up a notch when she turned to the rhythm and blues sound of people such as Billie Holliday and Etta James, including a superb Baby, What Do You Want Me To Do.
There was still time for the outstanding Moody Blues hit Nights in White Satin and the hallmarkPearl's a Singer to bring the house down at the end.
- Tony Collins
botanical gardens - birmingham
birmingham post - july 1999
Spreading the message: Pop diva Elkie Brooks spread a bit of well-being among a capacity crowd of 3,000 at an open air concert with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at Birmingham's Botanical Gardens last night. She received a standing ovation for the performance which aims to raise pounds 40,000 for the WellBeing charity.
- David Yeates
alexandra theatre - birmingham
evening mail - december 2000
FANS of Elkie will be pleased to know that the familiar huge mop of hair and great 'white' soul voice are equally intact.
Classic hits such as the outstanding Lilac Wine, Pearl's A Singer, and Sunshine After the Rain have been modified to take account of her voice dropping an octave or two. But she just seems to have brought a different, bluesy quality to her singing, backed by a splendid support band.
This was especially evident on a great blues segment which included the excellent Crossroads, and even on the Gospel-laced Sail On The Water. Other old favourites from the Elkie Brooks repertoire included Nights in White Satin and Gasoline Alley, but a new album due after Christmas ensures that this lady ain't stopped singing yet.
- Tony Collins
Copyright © 2011 Eventful Productions. All Rights Reserved
