Just over 50 people turned up to hear Mariette sing.
After introducing herself and her multi-tasking roles – sound engineer, video camera operator, compere and.......... I’m sure there was something else...... Oh yes! STAR (my word, not hers), Mariette opened the concert with
Dav’s Aria. This was followed by the worship song
Breathe and
This Love.
Mariette then took a short break while we were treated to a guitar and trombone duet with
Sway.
Back for one song -
Risk It, followed by a piano solo -
Clair de Lune.
All too soon, we reached the final song of the first half –
You are Holy.
During the interval, Mariette sold some CDs and posed for a few photos while refreshments were served in the church hall.
I don’t remember whether it was right at the beginning or later that Mariette introduced her two backing musicians – Paul on guitar, doubling on saxophone, and (most importantly) chauffeur; Chris on piano (keyboard) and trombone – not simultaneously, I hasten to add.
The second half opened with
Starting Over, then Mariette’s first public performance of
Besame Mucho.
Another breather for Mariette while we listened to a saxophone solo (with piano accompaniment) of
Amazing Grace. Paul warned us before he started that it would be ‘almost unrecognizable’ but I managed to pick out the theme amongst his variations.
I don’t know if there was a printed set list, but Mariette kept changing the order on the spur of the moment. As Mariette returned this time, she decided to take the plunge with
Circles of Change, which she described as the most popular song on her album but also the most difficult to perform live. She needn’t have worried – it was brilliant.
Images Lie came next, followed by two piano solos which Chris had composed himself, titled
Reflection #1 and
Reflection #2.
The final number was another worship song –
You are my Hiding Place.
It was a wonderful evening, and I hope it won't be too long before I can hear Mariette singing live again.
