by Brina July 11, 2011 3 comments

On Tuesday Night I cried. Do you want to know why ?

After throwing a small surprise Birthday party form my husband the week before he returned the favour in taking me on a “surprise date”. Little did I know we were going to see Agélique Kidjo, Lizz Wright and Dianne Reeves perform live at The Barbican. The show was called Sing the Truth -dedicated to the songs of their most admired musical heroines; this celebration embodies the spirits of Miriam Makeba, Abbey Lincoln, and Odetta, along with other great women of music from Billie Holiday to Lauryn Hill, as well as showcasing original songs by Kidjo, Reeves and Wright. The all-star Sing The Truth ensemble features Geri Allen on piano and keyboards, music director Terri Lyne Carrington on drums, James Genus on bass, and Romero Lubambo on guitars.

As we were ran to catch the early parts of the show when we entered the lobby of the venue I still could not believe what I was hearing. The sound of my musical influence?? Still I wasn’t sure and then we bust through the door and yes I saw her, them -and my eyes ears and body came alive I sat on the last few inches of my chair the entire show close to falling off or jumping from the circle where we sat….. woiii I still couldn’t believe it !! The experience was captivating- everything that I envision for my future shows around the world.

a friend of mine was explaining that she is not one to be star struck or not very typical when meeting stars …I tried to explain to her in this way: ” there are a few people on my list that I would like to meet in my lifetime and the list for a very long time is: Nelson Mandela, Miriam Makeba, Lucky Dube, Angélique kidjo and Stevie Wonder. Now the fact is 2 of the 5 are no longer with us in this world and getting this close to my musical Icon well, it doesn’t get any better than that”.

So you see!

The show went on for a good 2hrs and 15mins nicely packed with very soulful honest and heart warming performances to be met with standing ovations for the entire set. When all was nearing an end, the grand finale came and Angélique went through the audience on the lower platform, greeting and dancing with people…. I was determined to fly off from where I was standing to get a piece of the celebrative action going on below us. After the encore was sung, I was still on a high as I watched the crowd begin to disperse. All that was on my mind was the hope of not leaving until I could see her face to face.

I finally found what looked like stairs leading to backstage, and saw at least 10 people standing in front. I don’t know what they were standing there for but somehow I knew they had the same intention that I did- however I was still convinced that no one else could have had the same motivation. I was prepared to wait till every single person had left the building, to even find the car park where the vehicles would be leaving from (in hindsight- I can only imagine the heights and depths that some die-hard fans go through when they are faced with the opportunity of meeting their favourite football player- for me the blood was pumping and the stomach churns were turned up high)

After 30 minutes of watching the tightly secured backstage door swinging open and close by people with “special passes” going in and out my heart’s desire grew stronger and stronger with the hope of catching a glimpse and maybe spontaneously shouting out Hi Angelique! Or say something like OMG – Screaammmmm !!! Then the head of security came out and said he wasn’t sure if they will ever come out to see us the ‘desperate stragglers’ and if so, he wouldn’t be able to say when that would be. Luckily, the 10 or so persons who were standing in front of me, slowly turned and left the area.

I stood there silently waiting for another chance of the door to swing open and another chance to spontaneously shout, Hi Angelique! Or say some kind of thing like OMG – Screaammmmm!! – it never happened.

To make this recount short so I don’t loose your attention and so that I create the climax of the experience, after 1hr and 30minutes of waiting, listening now to a new set of ladies who had decided to join the fete, who kept telling the disinterested security guy that they had a cousin inside, who they could not name, who was actually inside but was actually not related to any of the ladies, who later claimed that they traveled all the way from Zimbabwe to see the show, who luckily had managed to get the sympathy and attention of a few others going in and out of backstage, who later nominated me to be the spokesperson to try and get even further sympathy on “poor us” especially when I mentioned how nice it would be to see “Angélique” after all the wait and the possible chance of missing the last train just to get a glimpse, that when the door opened I didn’t even realize what was unfolding.

Out came Dianne Reeves to say Hi, excitement began, for the ladies from Zimbabwe were waiting to see her. I was sort of subdued in the background because My Angélique had not come out. One of the really nice ladies that were standing with me then begged if they could get her to come out…

And she did:

Brina World Reggae singer from Jamaica was on the floor ….. you know the expression – “if only the ground could open up and take me in” well my feet gave way thanks to the wall that held me in place from falling backwards. Standing right next to me, I crouched down so fast she didn’t even see me. When she finally saw me here words: “what are you doing down there, get up “…. My words…”no”

Can I tell you how I was in tears, I bawled as I was embraced by Angélique Kpasseloko Hinto Hounsinou Kandjo Manta Zogbin Kidjo ! widely know as Angélique Kidjo

For A simple girl like me, this was worth it, the tears and the lack of speech, especially when I came to, all I could say to her was “ you are so small!!” She asked me why I was crying and the women who previously had heard half my enthusiasm of meeting her, answered for me: “ she listens to your music daily, she loves your songs and the way you perform and… she is a singer too …they went on and on.

All the excitement around was simply not penetrating my moment, my few minutes of attention from an artiste that I hold with such high esteem and pride. I held her and she held me back and I was captivated by her kindness. I could not stop beaming even behind the tears. I could not believe that I was actually soaking Angélique Kidjo’s scarf with my tears and probably creating too much heat with this long embrace. All I know was that I was extremely overwhelmed and I was more than happy for the chance to be so close to her. I wished there was more time to talk and I wish I hold a serious conversation about her journey as a female singer in this rough tough industry…. I remember instead what happened was the tour manager came around to try and get them back inside the “sacred room” and out of no where I broke out singing ….”God is truly amazing, God is truly amazing ….God is truly amazing….I got to meet Angelique Kidjo, thank you for your kindness…..” This was me singing praises to God for the moment … then I could hear the roar of everyone applauding and that was when I realized what was taking place, I begun to gather myself, wipe the tears away and straighten up my clothes. I began to think what a hot mess I must look like singing with tears running down my face- here we go again another crying vocal exercise from Brina.

I look forward to meeting this fine musician again in the realm of music and sharing the very same stage.

Thank you for taking time out to read this.

There is more to come.

Peace and Love

Brina

 

by Brina July 10, 2011 Comments Off

2 years in the making 2 years on the move.

Finally this day had arrived. Running breathless to get to the tube, and along the road to get to Kevin Metcalfe’s Soundmasters Studio. It is finally time to master my debut album!

At 10:30 a run through listen and a brief analysis of the tone and mood of each song. The song order was handed over and we were well on the way.

First under the knife was “Feet Don’t Fail Me Now” Purely analogue and ingenious. As I watched Kevin’s head bop to the beat and rhythms. I sit just wondering what’s going through his mind. Very well knowing what’s going through my mind; the very uncertainty with an underlying surety of what I want. Then he says “does that sound arite?” and then I’m lost ! I’m so used to communicating with Kieran- “break this down for me…” But I’m lost for words and he could see it in my face. Simple escape I just nodded my head. I gave up and I put my entire trust in this strange guys fingers and hands to put the final touches of transmitting my artistic expression, my nakedness my art my voice to the rest of the World.

Feeling alone yet protected, scared but motivated. Then I suddenly remembered I had stuffed my comfort towel in my hand bag. That should keep me secure for the long hours ahead.

Next track: “Lala Vizuri (Sleep My Little Baby)”. Kevin: “nice mix”, with his head still bopping away. Gradually I’m warming up to him. Yet I question if this is false assurance. Along with a fresh cup of coffee next treatment is on “African Pride”; a little TLC and every instrument gets a place to shine, a little sparkle, and Voila !

Each track starts out stripped bare and then switches are flicked on, lights come on and go off knobs are turned left and right and again and again, more switches. A listen here and there and the buttons are switched on and off.

I watch carefully, listen intently to the treatment that my next song gets- “Daughter Of Zion”. In this song we battle with the bass, so we drop the intro and give the lows a greater punch on the beginning of the song. Sorted!

“Simple Progression” was a simple do. The mix was done so well that there was not much that needed reinforcement at today’s mastering session. All except two lips sounds that- I never heard and still never heard only until the visuals were pointed out- were simply smoothed over.

On the “Soul’s Song” we hit it. The clarity was enhanced and the song is finalised.

After a short break for lunch I returned to the studio on the last tweaks to “Listen”, just a little warmth needed and next patient please!

The long one featuring Toots Hibbert “Guns and Roses”. I just observed what this guy could get out of this tune.

“We Are Free” is my baby. I hold this song dear to me. I’m empowered just by believing in the simple yet integral message of this song. I’m observing how Kevin treats it. Rather it’s not how he relates to it but it’s how the song speaks to him. Then we Hit a falling wall. How do we fix it. I’m sure by this moment the look on my face is ever so disheartened. The phasing problem is sorted! on to the next track.

The morning runs into night skies.

The last track “Under One Sun” is the track that takes you elsewhere, highlighting different moods, and the mastering engineer gives it the treatment it deserves and then, and then….its over.
Next stage is the transfer of files real time and we retire home to listen with fresh ears. What a day. The day it was all set in stone.