Emeralds

Not my first trip over to Belfast but my first time over during the celebrations of the Feast Of St Patrick and I was not disappointed! Such joy, merriment and 'grand craic' all day & 'all night long' as I danced into the wee small hours. The City Centre was truly buzzing from families out with the kids to Belfast natives and tourists all out to have a good time...

I was celebrating with friends native to Northern Ireland namely Louise (my host thanks for having me!), Fionnuala, Aine, Helen et al...much singing of traditional and non-traditional songs coupled with many a jig, jive and twist on a one or several dance floors. A truly epic night, so a heartfelt thanks to the guys and to Belfast for making it such an inviting, fun and welcoming environment.

Of course many venues throughout Belfast City Centre were packed with rugby fans with eyes glued to the big screens as England beat Ireland in the 6 Nations. With Ireland losing 30 points to 9 there was disappointment amongst the home support - the sorrow was short lived as the night went on, due perhaps to the flow of a few pints of 'The Black Stuff'...alongside some gentle ribbing of yours truly when they heard my Scottish accent...I was even offered a bowl of pasta to eat with a wooden spoon!

I politely declined...and was homeward bound the following day.

Flew back into Glasgow early Sunday evening and headed straight for Glasgow's ABC to catch Caro Emerald picking up my friend Andy en route...

I've been craving to see her live in concert since she released her debut album 'Deleted Scenes From The Cutting Room Floor'...her singles have fared well in the UK singles chart and she's been making the BBC Radio Scotland playlist this past year too. If you haven't got your hands on a copy I highly recommend you do so - it's a brilliant feel-good album infused with a quirky brand of all things pop, jazz and a touch of swing thrown in for good measure.

With only four dates across the UK (barring a few festival appearances in the summer) planned for this year the four date UK Tour has been sold out for months and yes, the crowd was full to capacity at the ABC...and well what a show!

Not a gig nor a concert, a true show of old.

A truly stunning vocal performance from Ms Emerald - spirited with real ease in her delivery, flawless even. She had the crowd hooked all night with all the hit singles from 'The Other Woman' to her latest single 'Dr. Wanna Do'...with a few soulful acoustic and jazz standards thrown into the mix from the former session singer. Rather fittingly, we were treated to a few numbers straight from the 'cutting room floor' that didn't make the final album cut.

The stage and performance was set in a style and feel of a jazz club of old with hints of cabaret. A wee spicy element of Moulin Rouge sneaked through also and retro stage visuals completed the setting alongside a very appreciative and pleased Glasgow crowd. She looked stunning dressed in deep reds and jet blacks. I was rather impressed by her quick costumes changes between various numbers; very similar to Bollywood Item numbers I counted at least four different outfits.

This lady is as quick in the changing rooms as she is with her wit, charming the Glasgow crowd, sharing warming and endearing stories including a shopping escapade in Glasgow's Buchanan Street (a lady after my own heart).

And not forgetting her band, an eight piece outfit complete with a brass section, DJ (old skool meeting new which for me worked brilliantly) and a very talented dancing guitarist who doubled up as an accordion player. This was a polished and punchy performance, more than a house band; they brought the house down along with their glorious and gorgeous leader Caro Emerald.

Haste ye back...

With thanks to...

Louise et al for hosting in Belfast...

John Cavanagh for looking after the show on Monday morning...

Adrian Tredinnick's for Sunday evenings invite.