Echo Arena HCTG Review

Review: Here Come the Girls - ECHO Arena
Nov 26 2010 Liverpool Echo

LULU, Anastacia and M People’s Heather Small are not an obvious trio to tour together, but throw in some girly anthems and you’ve got a show.

It’s the smallest audience I’ve seen at the ECHO Arena, and the two-hour set is not flawless.

The choreography isn’t impressive, they miss cues and forgotten lines are laughed off – but nobody seems to mind.

The girls give the audience three rules: stand up if you want to, have fun and dance. The threesome’s big voices, big personalities and big hits ensure these rules are obeyed.

Most of the audience are on their feet from the off, enjoying Relight My Fire, I’m Every Woman and Signed, Sealed, Delievered I’m Yours, as well as numerous other songs that would be perfect for a Bridget Jones soundtrack.

It is THAT kind of night – a “dancing round your handbag with the girls” kind of night, although there are many smiling male faces in the crowd.

Dressed in skin-tight leather and diamonds, the ladies on stage might have something to do with that – Lulu with her age-defying blonde flicks, a dramatically slimmed down Heather and a voluptuous, tanned Anastacia.

At times, Heather seems distracted dancing around in her own little world, and she admits she doesn’t talk as much as the other two.

Her singing, however, is on top form and it’s her version of The Zutons’ Valerie that finally gets the Arena audience going into full swing.

The three keep the momentum going with M People’s One Night in Heaven and Rolling on a River.

The tracks are eclectic, to say the least, bouncing from the Bee Gees’ Night Fever to Pink’s Get the Party Started, Motown’s Dancing in the Street to the Black Eyed Peas’ I Got a Feeling.

The stand-out moments of the show included Lulu’s energetic performance of Shout, which she first performed when she was 15, and a Lady Gaga medley.

The tracks on the set list are as different from each other as the three voices singing them – but somehow the entire performance all fits into place.

We know the songs and we certainly know those voices – put them together and you’ve got yourself an unlikely but enjoyable show.

Well done, the girls 4/5
[source: Liverpool Echo]

In Concert: Llandudno, Venue Cymru

Heather Small was on top form this Monday evening on the last night on her 2009 tour. I went along with two of my best friends and we had the best seats in the house. It was nearly full at the Welsh theatre and the crowd were up and dancing throughout.

Setlist:

I Don't Hurt Anymore

Heartbreak Hotel

Sight For Sore Eyes

One Night In Heaven

Pearls A Singer

Summertime
For Once In My Life
Take Me for a Buggy Ride
Fernando
Someday
How Can I Love You More?
Moving On Up

Encore:Nobody But You

Proud

Nottingham Review

Review: Heather Small, Royal Concert Hall
Friday, May 29, 2009, 10:16

IT was hard to guess the act due on stage from the look of the audience last night.
Perhaps they were all thirty-somethings or in their 40s 20 years ago when Heather Small was big, if you know what I mean.
The feeling we were at a 60s revival wasn't helped much by the leader of the Snake Davis Band, in his leather trousers, egging everyone to "Have a good time, Nottingham – it's not a theatre, it's a dance floor…"
And yet, just maybe he'd judged the audience right, and the crowd had judged the gig spot on, for as early as the fourth number they were out of their seats for a boogie.
Heather started with a couple of bluesy numbers, and a laid-back Heartbreak Hotel.
The band backed Heather to the hilt for a hot 90 minutes on a balmy night. When she changed tilt into a vigorous M People number, they followed impeccably.
A shot at Abba's Fernando and the drawl of Elkie Brooks' Pearl's a Singer showed not just Heather, but old Snake at his best too, reaching for one of a myriad of saxophones, his speciality from the M People days of the 90s.
She must never have thought all those years ago that she'd have been singing to a third-full concert hall of grey-haired folk back in the clubbing heyday of her old band.
And it's not just on the back of her TV dancing contest that she's on the road. New albums are a regular item on the agenda.
Hits such as Pride, One Night In Heaven and Search For The Hero were used up early on and there was a little concern there might be nothing left in the tank for an encore.
But we'd forgotten about Moving on Up, and she left us with the satisfied feeling that the years have only matured her sound.
PATRICK ASTILL

Norwich Review

Heather Small
ANDY RUSSELL

Last updated: 28/05/2009 08:50:00

Norwich Theatre Royal

Velvety-voiced diva Heather Small had Norwich rocking big time last night.

The singer, who found fame fronting M People, had the audience bopping after they were encouraged to turn the theatre into a dance hall.

Heather, who has one of the most distinctive and powerful voices in the music industry and multi-million record sales to her name, belted out a varied set including her favourite songs like Heartbreak Hotel, a beautiful version of Summertime and Elkie Brooks's Pearl's a Singer as well as jazz and blues numbers - all showing the extraordinary richness of her voice.

And anyone who finds live performances sometimes disap-pointing has never seen Heather, for throughout her energetic perfor-mance you could hear every word with no chance of her being drowned out by the superb Snake Davis Band, led expertly by the man himself on saxophone, and ringing applause.

But it was the M People hits that stole the show and the audience needed no encouragement to sing along to classic tracks, including Search for the Hero (which she dedicated to a man fighting cancer), Moving On Up, One Night in Heaven, Sight for Sore Eyes, How Can I Love You More and Someday.

But she reserved her biggest solo hit - Proud - for a richly-deserved encore and standing ovation.

She was supported by flautist Lucy Noble and her band which had really got the audience going.

Heather Small - big voice, big personality and big popularity. You did Norwich proud.

Elmbridge Guardian Fairfield Hall Review

Small makes a huge impact
3:25pm Friday 22nd May 2009

By Nathan Woolford »

Heather Small, one of the quintessential voices of the mid-1990s, proved she hasn't lost one bit of her fearsome vocal range with a commanding, crowd-pleasing performance at Fairfield Hall on Tuesday.

Belting out an intriguing blend of recogniseable hits from her days with chart-busters M-People together with a collection of personal favourites from days gone by, Small's charisma and charm shone through on a night which had the Croydon audience dancing in the aisles.

Looking stunning in a jet black cocktail dress, the 44-year-old songstress wore a hyena-like grin throughout her hour-long set, and appeared to be having the time of her life in each and every minute of it.

Backed up by the Snake Davis Band, Small's song selection was unique as she criss-crossed old M-People favourites with a selection of songs that remain close to her heart. As such, Moving On Up, Search for the Hero and One Night in Heaven were mingled with her personalised versions of Abba's Fernando, the Elvis classic Heartbreak Hotel and even the ultra-mellow Elkie Brooks hit Pearl's a Singer.

Indeed, Small paid tribute to Brooks early on in the show, citing her as a major influence and mentor. Midway through her performance, as she reeled off back-to-back jazz numbers, the impact of Brooks could clearly be seen as Small captivated her audience with an eerie, almost haunting singing style - a complete departure from her powerful trademark voice.

The Croydon crowd were also treated to a memorable warm-up act in the form of energetic flautist Lucy Noble, whose enchanting performance, along with a three-piece band, was a brave but beautiful way to open up the show

Ronnie Scotts Review

Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, W1

If Heather Small's legs were aching and her body bruised from the punishing Strictly Come Dancing training schedule, she didn't show it.

In fact, the popular weekend TV show barely got a mention as the former M People chart-topper got stuck in to some of her favourites from the jazz, pop and soul songbook.

Swinging her hips, shaking her booty and earning roars of applause by turns, Heather and saxophonist Snake Davis led the Ronnie Scott's All Stars through a truly captivating set.

Few will have heard Heather's vulnerable, sexier side compared those who know her raucous M People repertoire, but smoky, delicate vocals on classics like Gershwin's Summertime and a tropical reinvention of What A Wonderful World are superlative.

An enchanted audience couldn't get enough as 1990s disco favourite One Night In Heaven got a jazzy, piano-tickled makeover with a chocolaty vocal coating, and an electric Fever and sexily gritty Heartbreak Hotel proved Heather can turn her earthy voice to anything. - STEPHEN MOORE

In Concert: M People @ Dalby Forest

M PEOPLE featuring HEATHER SMALL - DALBY FOREST

FACT FILE

Name: M People
Occupation: Manchester soul-dance band

Ages today: Pickering, 53; Heard, 46; Small, 42; Shovell, 38

First chart entry: How Can I Love You More, number 29, October 1991

Top ten hits: 1993, How Can I Love You More (remix), One night In Heaven, Moving On Up, 1993; Don't Look Any Further; 1994, Renaissance, Sight For Sore Eyes, ; 1995, Open Your Heart, Search For The Hero; 1997, Just For You; 1998, Angel Street

Last Top Twenty hit: Testify, number 12, November 1998

Albums: Northern Soul, 1992; Elegant Slumming, 1993; Bizarre Fruit, 1994; Bizarre Fruit II, 1995; Fresco, 1997; The Best Of M People, 1998; Testify, 1999; M People featuring Heather Small, The Ultimate Collection, 2005

Awards: 1994, BRIT award for best British dance act and Mercury Music Prize for Elegant Slumming, beating Blur and Pulp in Britpop's pomp

Heather Small solo albums: Proud, 2000; Close To A Miracle, 2006

You probably didn't know: Heather collaborated this year with Icelandic tenor Gardar Thor Cortes on Luna, a number two hit in Iceland

Heather on her big voice: "If you have a big voice and you're up-front, people think you must be the life and soul, but I wouldn't say I was that. I'm quite wary"

Heather on performing: "When you're a bit insecure, going on stage is a slightly mad thing to do. You're saying 'I have something to offer'; you're saying 'Please like me' in a horrible, needy way! But performing is my one adrenaline. I don't smoke, I don't take drugs; I don't drink"

Heather on playing Dalby: "We've played in many different locations but never in forests, so we're really looking forward to it"

REVIEW
M People

Exclusive By Gary Sullivan

THE magnificent backdrop of Dalby Forest in the North York Moors National Park was the setting for Manchester soul dance band M People.

Heather Small, the voice of M People, walked coolly on to the stage in a stunning bright pink dress that lit up a grey and damp Dalby Forest in front of a excited crowd, with a beautiful smile.

She got the performance under way with Mercy On Me - then it was a succession of classic M People hits - So Excited, Angel Street, Moving On Up, One Night in Heaven, Don't Look Any Further, How Can I Love You More, Colour My Life, Just for You and an unreal version of Heather's solo hit Proud.

Amazing to think the group started their illustrious career back in 1991 when they broke into the UK charts with dance classic How Can I love You More, although easy to see how they quickly went on to pick up best dance act at the 1994 Brit Awards.

This was M People's first concert in a forest and, from the evidence of this performance, I am sure they will be back very shortly for their second.

For those of you that thought about going but didn't - boy did you miss out.

Sometimes you just forget how good a band are.

A top-quality performance from a top-quality band. Long live M People, who were well supported by Cicada.

8:18am Monday 25th June 2007

[Source: Yorkpress.co.uk]

In Concert: M People @ Delamere Forest

REVIEWS

[Review: ManchesterEveningNews.co.uk]
M People @ Delamere Forest
Belinda Hanks
19/ 6/2007

CREDIBLE pop doesn't get more digestible than M People.

It's feel-good dance for the happy brigade, fronted by a bellowing powerhouse of song in the form of the stunning Heather Small, now the pride of the London Olympics 2012.

They are back! After years without so much as a peep. But this Manchester band's mark on pop is assured: founder Mike Pickering and percussionist Shovel always had a knack for solid rhythms and big, soaring melodies. And their talent was rewarded by numerous Top 10s, a Brit and a Mercury Music Prize for their classic Elegant Slumming album. Follow-up Bizarre Fruit offered more of the funky same.

Since Nineties success, the band have continued to reach a pretty comprehensive demographic. And even dedicated musos can tip their hats to the northeners without having to cringe with mainstream disgust.

Fabulous

Small came on stage looking typically fabulous on Sunday at Delamere Forest, in a silky, bright pink dress and extra- high heels.

The nine-piece warmed up the 5,000-strong picnic crowd with Excited, and while some sat quaffing their wine, many edged forward for classics such as One Night In Heaven, Colour My Love, Open Up Your Heart and Promised Land.

An impressive back- catalogue: and the hits kept coming. It wasn't until anthem Proud, however, that the rugs and hampers got left scattered and welly-wearing revellers threw caution to the wind for a good old bop in the forest. It's a song that has also been adopted by the US' huge gay community and has rocketed a solo Small across the Atlantic.

But it is in Manchester, with M People that her voice belongs. The singer continued her vocal assault with Don't Look Any Further, Ain't Love a Surprise, How Can I Love You More and Fantasy Island. The woods echoed with nostalgia, driven funky house grooves and gospel-influenced melodies that seemed as contemporary as they ever have.
Welcome home.

[BoltonNews.co.uk Review]
M People - Delamere Forest
By Lisa Hackett

ONE night in heaven, it certainly was, for the 5,000 M People fans that picnicked in Delamere forest on June 17, 2007.

The atmosphere was fantastic, it almost felt that is was one of those an intimate audience with' We all waited patiently through the support gig who were excellent and warmed us up for Heather Small (singer), Paul Heard (saxaphone) and Shovell (percussion), plus fabulous backing singers.

M People were a British house music act from Manchester which formed in 1990 and were recognised as the first mainstream dance act to marry the excitement of house music to the traditional pop virtues of crafted songs and strong melodies.

I think the forest wildlife couldn't resist a peek either at Heather's opening outfit. She came on singing I'm Coming', in a flourescent pink dress that fitted beautifully over her very well-toned body. And pumped up the crowd with her dance moves getting everyone involved.

They stormed through their greatest hits, one after another. I didn't realise how many there were. One Night In Heaven', Moving On Up', How Can I Love You More?', Don't Look Any Further', Fantasy Island', Sight For Sore Eyes', Just For You', Search For A Hero' and Open Your Heart' which all became part of the soundtrack of The Nineties.

With one more dress change during a superb solo saxaphone and bongo drums acoustic version of Angel Street, Heather returned to give a fantastic farewell second half, singing Colour My Life', Someday', Testify', Love rendezvous' and ending with Walk Away' and my favourite Itchycoo Park'.

The good news is that year after year the Forestry Commission organise these outdoor concerts at forests up and down the country. So if you missed out on going to one of these great places to see live music, with plenty of parking and good access to the concert sites, then there is always next year!

And the even better news, at the end of the three hour long, song after song spectacular show, Shovell stated, "Thank you for staying loyal - It has been 7 years, but M PEOPLE ARE BACK!".

In Concert: M People @ Hampton Court

REVIEW

Lisa Verrico 13.06.07

Small feat: lead singer Heather Small got the crowd up and dancing after chastising them for being boring.

There are two ways to attempt a pop comeback - quietly book a few shows and see how it goes, or cause a huge fuss and aim for arenas.

M People opted for the former and their only London date this year took place at Hampton Court Palace as part of the stunning venue's 15th annual festival.

Their decision was a wise one since M People didn't quit at their peak (always an incentive for old fans who felt robbed), but rather faded away in a blur of soppy ballads and too much saxophone.

Moreover, the heat was off throaty singer Heather Small-Bryan Ferry and Tom Jones are the big pop names on this year's festival bill.

She was the glamour girl and her band of Manchester clubland veterans were there to funk up a smartlydressed, picnicing crowd who do most of their dancing at weddings.

M People founder Mike Pickering and white-suited percussionist Shovel led a nervy, seven-piece band into opener Renaissance, while Small stomped on in ludicrous gold shoes and a pink,
shiny dress with a bow at the back.

All looked so uncomfortable, it could have been the shortest reunion in pop history.
Yet after Excited was anything but exciting, something extraordinary happened.
Small chastised the crowd for being boring and, one by one, women got up from their seats, ran to the front and began to dance.

By the time a funky, flute-backed Someday came mid-set, even the men were on their feet, singing along.

From then on, M People flew, Small changed into a sexier outfit and hits such as Don't Look Any Further, Moving On Up and a cover of Itchycoo
Park turned the courtyard into a fun over-30s disco.

Those arena gigs may be just around the corner.

In Concert: Clitheroe, The Grand

Heather Small - The Grand, Clitheroe
Friday 28th March
*****
Making our way to Clitheroe was problematic to say the least, trust us to set out in the middle of rush hour! 2 and a half hours later, after a lengthy car journey, my friend Stuart and I finally arrived in the small rural town. The "The Grand" is a brand new 3 Million pound venue which used to be a local cinema, and on the opening night it had some very special guests indeed.

Tonight the venue was looking stunning, after a champagne reception with the VIPs, the locals (and Heather Small fans) were let in from the rain. I could hardly believe my luck when I was directed toward the front seats, there was not a better seat in the house. On my left, the owner of the venue, on the right, the Mayor of Clitheroe and his wife. But most importantly, directly ahead, the stage!

With a capacity of no more than 300 it was an intimate evening with great talent. First up was Esther O'Conner, along with her Father (former Wet Wet Wet guitarist) and Brother, the O'Conner family impressed the audience and warmed them up nicely with their songs. There was a short ten minute break after their set and the audience was asked not to record any video, audio or take any photo's whilst the main act was on stage.

Heather Small took to the stage looking beautiful in a long black dress and silver stilettos, accompanied only by two talented backing singers. Straight away Heather started belting out her signature song, classic anthem "Proud" and the audience were hooked. The set list was short and sweet but non the less very impressive, showcasing Small's solo hits as well as classics from M People. The title track of Heather's 2006 release "Close To A Miracle" and the classic "How Can I Love You More" were the evenings highlights! A dedication went out in the form of "Search For The Hero" to all who made the dream venue a reality, and she even broke out into some sexy dancing. This obviously proved too much for one of the more "mature" VIPs as he took his handkerchief from him pocket and let out a infatuated whistle whilst wiping the sweat from him brow. He was not at all pleased when Heather directed her attention to Myself and friend Stuart on one verse of "Moving On Up", she sang the line "I've had enough of me, baby, being part of you" accompanied by a wink and kiss, we naturally returned the favour and broke out in dancing! Madonna eat your heart out, this lady has real sex appeal.

After her performance Heather returned to the stage for one last song and to thank the audience. A fantastic end to the night, although it had come far too quickly. But with the help of a little sweet talking, we were honoured with the opportunity to meet the star herself. A very genuine woman with a warm personality, Small happily signed my album covers and posed for photo's with us. The backing singers were also great, they complemented my hair and chatted to us for a while, suggesting we should travel to the M People concert in Denmark during the summer. But most importantly I got a hug and kiss on the cheek from Heather herself. Just like she sang only half an hour before, it really was "One Night In Heaven".