THE VIEW FROM FEZ: American Gospel at the Fez Festival

Sunday, May 31, 2009

American Gospel at the Fez Festival

All of Mahalia's moves and a voice to match - Paulette Wright.

There can be no doubt that Moroccan audiences simply love American gospel music. Maybe it is the infectious rhythms, maybe the intensity of the performances or maybe it is a an affinity with African Americans bringing their music back to Africa. Whatever the reason - it works.

The scheduled performer was to have been Marwa Wright performing a homage to Mahalia Jackson but this was not to be. Just before leaving the USA, Marwa Wright suffered a stroke and was too ill to travel. At the last moment her cousin, Paulette Wright agreed to stand in and proved to be a sensational replacement.

Darvell Crawford

The concert began with a spirited warm-up from the eight piece group's musical director and pianist, Darvell Crawford. From the minute he opened his mouth to sing, the crowd were in the palm of his hand.

What a star! Jackie Tolbert rocks the Bab Makina.

Then it was the turn of Dianne Peterson who built the tempo before handing the microphone to a woman who looked as if she could have stood in for a slim Whoopi Goldberg. This was Jackie Tolbert. Her understated and rather drab outfit and her humble appearance were deceptive. She was a human dynamo who stalked and prowled the stage, inspiring the audience, pulling to them to their feet and getting a standing ovation. Sitting back stage, Paulette Wright must have felt in danger of being upstaged.

Paulette Wright - all the power of Mahalia Jackson

For the first few bars it felt as thought Paulette had indeed been challenged by Jackie Tolbert, but she quickly warmed up and with the theatricality of an opera diva, she delivered a fine set of bluesy-gospel that had the audience again on their feet and calling for more. It was an extraordinary performance from a woman called in at the last moment.

The colour de jour? Silver.

To end on a social note, social and fashion editor, Dominique Nicebits has this to say; "My comments yesterday about silver being the colour of the fashion-concious, was borne out today by the very elegant woman introducing the concert. Tip to remember, silver is the new black, C'est ca!"

Photographs: Sandy McCutcheon

At the Festival Today.

Batha Museum at 16h00

Zabit Nabizade Trio from Azerbaijan.

Tonight's concert is one of The View from Fez's picks for best show of the festival. You can read more here: The Whirling Dervishes of Konya

Bab Makina 20h30 (A seats €37; B seats €19)

1st part: The Whirling Dervishes of Konya (Turkey)

From Eternity to Modernity

2nd part: Ziya Azazi (Turkey)