Billie and Me. A tribute to Billie Holiday
Neneh Cherry and others at the Barbican, London on Monday April 5th

Something very, very special took place on Monday evening at London's Barbican Theatre. As part of the ever enlightened programming policy of the venue during their "Only  Connect" season, Neneh Cherry and a host of top women performers paid tribute to the great Lady Day, Billie Holiday. It will prove to be one of the gigs of the year as each performer  paid their respects to a great singer on whose shoulder's they all acknowledged they stand.

A 14 piece band lead by Musical Director Terri Lynne Carrington were on stage as an elegant Neneh Cherry, in a black dress,  walked on stage to take up her seat to act as narrator of the show, a role she shared with Professor Farah Jasmine Griffin. Photos and taped snippets of interviews were played between numbers as a procession of great women performers from different generations, united in their love of Billie, came onstage to do their takes on Billie's
songs. We were treated to quite a line up:

Carleen Anderson
Fontella Bass
Dee Dee Bridgewater
Lalah Hathaway
Chrissie Hynde
Angelique Kidjo
Meshell Ndegeocello
Susheela Raman
Yolande Bevan
Amy Winehouse

Each one brought their own individuality to a Billie song.  The atmosphere was warm and loving. No clash of egos here as the love poured forth for the legacy of Lady Day's music. It was moving. Sitting at the front I felt so connected with the spirit of it all. It was lady's night and oh what a night. I fell in love with them all for the love they radiated for Billie. If I had to pick the highspot it would be Dee Dee's version of "Strange Fruit" which left images of Deep South racist violence  in my head. She made me cry.

Credit to a fantastic band lead by Terri Lynne. Great soloing from sax man, Ben Castle and a brave performance from Man of the Match (as Neneh called him), bassist Reginald Veal, for playing on despite a nasty cut to his finger early on in the show (top man). 

I took my 2 friends just over from San Jose. They didn't know what to expect. They saw something to treasure for a long time. I do hope they recorded this for a future release. I do hope they can get an Arts Council grant or something to take this out on tour because a whole lot of people other than we Barbican priveledged few should be able to feel the spirit of Billie and these artists. This was the magic of live performance!

As the programme notes say, "By choosing to draw on the spitituality and wisdom of her (Billie's) music rather than returning always to the pain and tragedy of her life, women such as Cherry are investing the Holiday legend with new meaning. This is possibly the greatest tibute that Lady's 21st century daughters can make." 

Well done Neneh. What an awesome project to pull together. My love and respect to you and all who made this wonderful event. Thank you.
Barrie Birch

Carleen Anderson	Lalah, Dee Dee & Amy	Lalah, Amy, Neneh Dee Dee	Fontella Bass

by Barrie Birch.
Thank you Barrie for the great write-up and the psychedelic photos (Luv them!). BuddyX