Nile Rodgers: Stirring everybody and every body to dance at York Museum Gardens . Picture: Paul Rhodes, reporting from ‘the photographers’ pit ‘
WHAT an amazing display of musical power to send Friday night to the stars.
Kicking things off at 6 o’clock as the crowd filled, Durand Bernarr really sold his performance. Even if his nu-soul material sounded similar, this expressive, energetic singer was eminently watchable. His concern for our wellbeing also fitted well into this warm-hearted event.
Durand Bernarr: “Really sold his performance”. Picture: Paul Rhodes
The second support act, Jalen Ngondo was perhaps the individual stand-out of the evening. This willowy soul singer from Maryland, now based in Liverpool, was amazing. His voice and music recalled the best of the great Sixties and Seventies’ soul artists.
Curtis Mayfield was the closest comparison (during his time with the Impressions) while the groove and songs drew on the spirit of Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell (his voice somehow a sweet blend of the two).
We are one big soul family: Friday’s audience enjoying good times at Nile Rodgers & Chic’s Live At York Museum Gardens party. Picture: Paul Rhodes
The crowd loved him – and as he played his heart out at the piano on The Look Of Love, with the trees swaying in full sail off to the side, it was a breathtaking moment.
Nile Rodgers is a superstar, no question. Since the 1970s, he has ridden wave after wave as a performer and producer, and his imprint is all over many of the biggest hits of the past 40 years.
Jalen Ngonda: “Recalled the best of the great Sixties and Seventies’ soul artists”
Luckily he shows no sign of slowing down at 72. Fresh from their well received – and it turned out similar – Glastonbury set, the nine-piece band were all superb musicians playing for the greater good.
The two lead singers were eye catching and glamourous, clearly enjoying themselves enormously. Audrey Martells handled the lead vocals for Diana Ross’s I’m Coming Out and Upside Down and Kimberly Davis shone on Sister Sledge’s He’s The Greatest Dancer and We Are Family.
Nile Rodgers: “Distinctive guitar playing sat at the centre of the sound”
Rodgers’ distinctive guitar playing sat at the centre of the sound. From the selection of CHIC songs, he found his signature style early on. We were taken on a tour that included Madonna, Duran Duran, Daft Punk’s Get Lucky and David Bowie’s commercial peak, Let’s Dance.
Now bedded into York’s social calendar, there was a lovely atmosphere to this Live At York Museum Gardens event all evening. The rain held off and as the sun went down behind St Mary’s Abbey over a sea of arms waving for yet another smash hit from the Rodgers songbook, everybody did dance.
It wasn’t perfect. A little less bragging from Rodgers, a little more full songs, and the energy of the set tailed off somewhat in the last third, not regaining the earlier peaks. Even so, this was a wonderful, full evening’s entertainment.
Review by Paul Rhodes
Oh, what a wow: Nile Rodgers and CHIC cutting a rug at Live At York Museum Gardens. Picture: Paul Rhodes