Natalie Prass, Mono, Glasgow
- Published in Live
Following a self-titled debut album as beautiful as it was delayed (i.e. considerably), the subsequent tour dates gave Virginia singer-songwriter Natalie Prass the opportunity to showcase that things aren't always so delicate. Taking the Disney-esque picture illustrated on Natalie Prass the songstress' live performance, complete with a three-piece band, injects some energy and the ample amount of endearing crowd interaction into the mix.Whilst retaining the vulnerability portrayed in her lyrics, Prass ensures that she may be wounded in love, but is far from a damsel in distress with her confident and energetic stage presence. Casually chatting with the crowd throughout intermittent guitar problems, and wandering among the front rows during a number of songs, this is certainly a talented artist. Additionally with the subtle changes in pace and style on some of the tracks, it is equally evident that Prass is versatile performer.
One obvious example of this alteration of composition is 'Christy', on record it is an endearing track of simply vocals and strings, but performed by the electricity-fuelled quartet it is given an new lease of life and sheds its "fragile" label. Something that doesn't alter however is the voice of Prass, which is as captivating and haunting as ever, and just as commanding yet sweet as you'd imagine from only hearing the album.
The likes of 'Bird Of Prey' and 'My Baby Don't Understand Me', the album's more upbeat singles are also injected with a little more pizazz, as the inherent energy of the live setting makes those melodies drive your urge to dance and sway a little harder. All set in a considerably hip, vegan cafe and record shop, with the late evening sun shining in... it is something as a spectacle as Prass and trio do their thing on stage.
To add to the enjoyment, some excellent covers including Ryan Adams and The Supremes (an encore that wasn't an encore) add to the occasion, whilst 'Jazz' (or maybe 'Jass') provides a blistering example of what is to come. The new track is unrecognisable next to the entity of Natalie Prass as is hurtles along with blazing guitar in an indie-rock twister, it's possibly the best track of the night.
Short of piling on further praise for Prass, simply remember that her music is wonderful, she got to appear on German morning TV, and you should probably consider her for your favourite artist of 2015.
