Amanda and her big bang

Sunday, July 6, 1997

Amanda and her Big Bang

Marshall provides musical fireworks

By ERROL NAZARETH

Toronto Sun

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Amanda Marshall -- Big Bang Series" said the ticket.

"No kidding!" was our reply.

We knew Big Bang referred to the fireworks display that was to follow the local singer's concert at the Molson Amphitheatre, but it was an apt description of the musical fare offered up on a cold, windy Saturday evening.

From the opening song, Fall From Grace, Marshall and company -- three guitarists, a pianist/Hammond B-3 organ

player, and drummer -- kicked out the jams from her platinum-selling, eponymous debut with gale-force energy.

And if you're a sucker for serious "bottom" in your music, this gig was for you. Marshall's drummer applied the low-end theory consistently throughout the hour-long show courtesy of a drumkit that was magnificently miked.

But Marshall is the one who commands our attention.

And how.

The diminutive Marshall is in constant motion, flailing her arms, throwing her head back and letting that huge voice fly. She was dwarfed by the huge stage, but the 12,000 who attended will agree that once her mouth opens and this warm, bluesy sound emerges, it's the stage and venue that's playing second fiddle.

The highlight of a gig, regardless of the genre, is when a group improvises and makes someone else's song their own.

Marshall and her crew impressed with their version of Jimi Hendrix's Castles Made Of Sand, which she introduced thusly:

"I used to sing this song at bars down the street from here."

Not only did they wisely keep from churning out a slavish cover, but Marshall scat-sang her own lyrics to the Hendrix

classic sans band and then roared back into the song with the group.

Promises was another highlight.

Penned by Canadian Marc Jordan, Marshall told us it was written during the L.A. riots "from the perspective of a little kid.

The song's about what happens when we forget to take care of each other."

Accompanied only by her pianist, Marshall kept with the song's theme by segueing into Michael Jackson's Man In The Mirror, flipping from one song to the other effortlessly.

Birmingham -- "a song about hope and freedom and following your heart" -- was left for last and had everyone giving her the love she's earned and deserves.


	Sunday, July 6, 1997 Amanda and her Big Bang Marshall provides musical fireworks By ERROL NAZARETH Toronto Sun ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Amanda Marshall -- Big Bang Series" said the ticket. "No kidding!" was our reply. We knew Big Bang referred to the fireworks display that was to follow the local singer's concert at the Molson Amphitheatre, but it was an apt description of the musical fare offered up on a cold, windy Saturday evening. From the opening song, Fall From Grace, Marshall and company -- three guitarists, a pianist/Hammond B-3 organ player, and drummer -- kicked out the jams from her platinum-selling, eponymous debut with gale-force energy. And if you're a sucker for serious "bottom" in your music, this gig was for you. Marshall's drummer applied the low-end theory consistently throughout the hour-long show courtesy of a drumkit that was magnificently miked. But Marshall is the one who commands our attention. And how. The diminutive Marshall is in constant motion, flailing her arms, throwing her head back and letting that huge voice fly. She was dwarfed by the huge stage, but the 12,000 who attended will agree that once her mouth opens and this warm, bluesy sound emerges, it's the stage and venue that's playing second fiddle. The highlight of a gig, regardless of the genre, is when a group improvises and makes someone else's song their own. Marshall and her crew impressed with their version of Jimi Hendrix's Castles Made Of Sand, which she introduced thusly: "I used to sing this song at bars down the street from here." Not only did they wisely keep from churning out a slavish cover, but Marshall scat-sang her own lyrics to the Hendrix classic sans band and then roared back into the song with the group. Promises was another highlight. Penned by Canadian Marc Jordan, Marshall told us it was written during the L.A. riots "from the perspective of a little kid. The song's about what happens when we forget to take care of each other." Accompanied only by her pianist, Marshall kept with the song's theme by segueing into Michael Jackson's Man In The Mirror, flipping from one song to the other effortlessly. Birmingham -- "a song about hope and freedom and following your heart" -- was left for last and had everyone giving her the love she's earned and deserves.