Review: Nina Smith – Rescue Rooms – 21 November 2013

As the room around me was buzzing with all sorts of people, it is clear to see that Nina Smith’s comeback has been eagerly awaited. Nina has taken some time off from performing over the last year because she’s been very busy behind the scenes finding inspiration and writing new material with a new approach. Thursday night at Rescue Rooms presented a showcase performance of her new music with her new band, and it was certainly a night to remember.

Before the lovely Nina graced the stage, the G.O.A choir and drumming troupe Sabar Soundsystem warmed up the audience with their performances. Sabar Soundsystem performed outside in the smoking area, and despite a melodic absence, people were really involved, dancing and enjoying the various world rhythms. The lead drummer even moved around and interacted with individuals, encouraging dancing and bringing lots of smiles to peoples faces.

However the really massive smiles were the ones found back at the main stage, booked especially for this event. As the excitement for the performance grows, we are shown an introductory video, in which Nina discusses her new style, repeatedly describing her music as “more grown up”. However, I can’t help but feel Nina’s vulnerability, which was a key aspect of her previous material, and we are told it is still an important part of her new direction. Her modesty and shyness in the video immediately warms the audience to her, and with rapturous applause we welcomed Nina Smith back to the stage.

Even though she walked on in the wrong direction, having to reassess her route, this just strengthened our humble connection with her, and made the audience more keen to see her performance. With a new band featuring two backing singers, bassist, guitarist, drummer, and pianist, she opened with a reggae/R&B style bang. Her new direction takes strong influences from Alicia Keys and Carole King, which is evident in her opening track ‘Love to Leave’. In ‘Waiting For You’, Nina charms her audience by mirroring her lyrics with hand gestures, and it is clear it is a polished performance, and her new place in front of the microphone without her guitar gives a pop vibe, while her melodies and backing present a soulful Nina.

This soulful side continues as she slows it down with ‘Why Can’t I Sleep’, a song which discusses the pain of having mixed emotions during a break up. She oozes confidence on stage, and seems totally comfortable up there. ‘Come Home’ sees her drop half her band, as she sings with the support of just her backing vocals and piano accompaniment. However, she seems at ease, and carried the songs well. Singing “take my love, be greedy if you want to” is appropriate as the audience seems to be greedy for more of her performance. ‘Scars’ is sung with he same ensemble, however is more lively. I didn’t find ‘Scars’ to be as catchy as the others, however it was still a good song and enjoyable to listen to.

‘This Love’ sees the reintroduction of her guitarist, who has a great chemistry with the pianist, providing a shimmering accompaniment to Nina’s breathy, soulful vocals. Here she sings about her experiences in a one sided love, singing “your heart’s not for sale but I stole it”. This song has an interesting development with the latter section becoming very funky, as the piano mimics a bass guitar, which is an interesting use of instrumentation which personally I loved.

Finally, she ended her set with ‘I Can’t Read You’, where she she reintroduces her band, and sings to her audience “it couldn’t get no better”. It seems like both the audience and Nina herself share this emotion, as she continues to thank us again and again for coming to the gig, and the cheers and applause from her audience reaffirms that this gig couldn’t get any better for us too. However at that moment it did. As Nina leaves the stage, the crowd demand an encore, which of course, she obliges. ‘I Wish’ is her closing track, bringing an R&B/hip hop vibe with almost rap style vocals at times, and she ends with a bang just as she began.

The audience is left feeling dazzled and eager for more after a relatively short set, but if you were there and want more, or are gutted you missed it, you can see Nina Smith at another free gig at the Royal Concert Hall on Tuesday 3^rd December.

Review by Cassia Helme