There’s a definite buzz on George Street. A swanky al fresco bar (it is summer, it is Scotland, we can do al fresco) outside the newly refurbished Assembly Rooms, whilst inside there are bouncy new carpets and generously appointed conveniences (mental note for decent loos around town).
All good.
I was here to see Lady Carol in her new cabaret show Lady Carol Must Die. Now, this year there are a few Ladies to choose from - Carol, Celeste, Riza and not forgetting the Lady Boys - so I hoped I had drawn a good one.
Onstage came Lady Carol, Little Red Riding Hood with vixen looks to outfox any wolf, carrying a ukulele. She opens the show with a sing-a-long of Minnie the Moocher to get the audience warmed up then, after some gentle flirting, Lady Carol sang Que Sera Sera in a chanson style accompanied by a slideshow of baby pictures from her childhood in Ireland. The chat between songs became confessional as she related her troubled youth, making each song all the more poignant through its connection. Towards the end it was rather like she was telling her story for the first time; confessional and intimate. This conveying of emotional truth was very powerful indeed and will resonate with every young woman (and man) who has sought personal freedom from a bullying father.
But back to the songs and Lady Carol’s voice. No, make that VOICE. The difference between Lady Carol and Florence Welch is that Flo looks like she can hit the notes like she does. Lady Carol on the other hand, with her coy and playful manner does not look as though she can fill the room let alone the Sydney Opera House (which she has). Her deliciously low register soars up through the octaves with ease. In her hands familiar songs become unexpected, elegant and sexy. I’m a little bit jealous: Kick-ass voice and fabulous shoes.
