» Review: Martha Wainwright Sings Piaf
Walking on to a sparse stage, Martha Wainwright opened with ‘Les Grognards’ and set the standard for a performance of lesser known chansons. With arms outreached a la Piaf, La Wainwright brought us songs of abandonment, unrequited love and suicide, executed with immaculate intonation and phrasing. This intimate performance made the Dome feel like a tiny Parisian dive bar, each song acted out with passionate intensity. There were no ‘hits’ but with this homage, including songs as great as the poignant ‘La Vieux Piano’ and the fairground waltz of ‘La Foule’, we didn’t need ‘La Vie En Rose’. Magnifique!
Concert Hall, Brighton Dome, 15 July
4/5
Steve Clements






