Bright-eyed, and full of expression, Acantha Lang reached across the stage and drew the audience into her aura. This night was high energy and filled with inspiration. The London-based, New Orleans soul singer is a force of nature. Along with her six-piece band, she presented a memorable repertoire. Lang opened with Sugar Woman, a slow groove soul number. A juxtaposition between a soothing arrangement and a lyrical struggle in an unjust world. Lang weaves her metaphor between a woman’s sweetness getting spoiled and having true love.
Come Back Home was an endearing and hopeful song pleading for her lost love to return to her. The duo horns of Shanti Jayasinha on trumpet and saxophonist Matt Clackett firmly establish a Memphis Horns colour to the arrangements.
Before continuing, Lang expressed sincere gratitude to fans in a heartfelt effort in Spanish. Which elicited warm cheers in return confirming the bond taking place.
Lang’s debut title track, Beautiful Dreams grappled with life’s contradictions. “Ain’t it strange how wе rearrange just to fit in with the lies. Let the truth be told it won’t get old, Keep pressin’ for the why.” Her music is thoughtfully crafted and lyrically wise to the world around us: informed and sophisticated. Punchy horns with Emlyn Francis’s tight rhythm guitar and bright chorus has an acid jazz vibe. It’s reminiscent of early Brand New Heavies. It’s a very cool song.
Expressing love for soul legends, Lang broke into Marvin Gaye’s groundbreaking classic What’s Going On. Joe Glossop’s bright clavinet piano sound captured the arrangement. And later on Bill Withers’ Grandma’s Hands. But their Aretha Franklin-inspired version of Bridge Over Troubled Water stole the show. Jayasinha channelled Hugh Masekela during his transcendent trumpet solo. We really experienced where Lang found her musical inspiration.
Francis opened River Keep Runnin’ with a gritty blues guitar solo before going full groove. And he returned mid-song for a second heart-stabbing solo. Hard, fast, powerful and dangerous, Lang expressed resolve to overcome dark forces. “Thе river keep runnin’ bringin’ trouble to me, But troublе ain’t gon’ never make me run.” As far as river songs go, Lang gave Tina a run for her money. This ain’t your mama’s Proud Mary.
By now, the house was at a fevered pitch. Lang asked “Valencia, do you like funk?” before singing Cramp Your Style. The rhythm section of bassist Ernie Mckone and drummer Michael Connolly drove the backbeat groove. Add in some smoking horn solos and the recipe was complete.
Bringing the energy back down…next was Lois Lang, which is a sweet tribute to Lang’s mother, the “creole queen without a superman”. Followed by the gentle Carry The Weight affirmed that “You don’t have to do it alone”. Then the feel-good It’s Going to Be Alright where Lang led the crowd in singing along through the ending chorus. They wrapped up with He Said, She Said then Mighty Mighty featuring instrumental solos by each of the band members. Lang left everyone on a real high note. Judging from this night, Acantha Lang will be back soon. Let’s hope.
Report by Phillip Solomonson
Article copyright ‘24/7 Valencia’
All photos copyright Phillip Solomonson/ ‘24/7 Valencia’
More info: www.philamonjaro.com
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