AMANDA MARSHALL CHARMS THE COHN
By MARILYN SMULDERS The Daily News
Everybody’s got a story, baby, and Amanda Marshall’s got more than a few. One night after the Junos in St. John’s, Nfld., the big-haired, big-voiced singer touched down in Halifax for the first of two concerts at the Rebecca Cohn.
The thumpa-thumpa-thumpa groove of her music pounded into our bones and rumbled our butt; it was the kind of show you sorta wish was somewhere else. Comfortable seats and good sight lines notwithstanding, a lot of people just wanted to shake it.
One of Canada’s top female stars, Marshall earns her every accolade. On stage she is relaxed, effervescent, even a bit goofy as she danced cheesy routines with her backup singers. Stalking the stage like a runway model, she looked like one too, dressed in purple velvet hip huggers and a red crop top that bared a toned tummy. Behind her, her eight-piece band (six players, two singers) barely fit on the Cohn stage.
But it’s the voice that gets top billing. It’s smoky and rich, strong and confident — and when she unleashes it full throttle, it blows the roof off. Luckily, she’s got many hits that showcase it beautifully, from the powerhouse I Believe in You, to the sweet and happy Sitting on Top of the World.
She sang a smattering of songs from each album, including her latest, Everybody’s Got a Story. certified platinum in Canada the week after its November release. The new songs are as familiar as the old — including the conversational Everybody’s Got a Story; the breathtaking Marry Me, and the funny Sunday Morning After, about waking up after a Tequila-fuelled rampage.
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