A review of Dorec-a-belle with support at Hush, Inverness on the 27th of May, 2012 by Julia Morgan. Photos by Frank Finlayson.
As the summer sun lowered in the sky over Inverness my expectation rose for the imminent Dorec-a-belle sampler album launch. The Red Carpet was quite literally rolled out for the host of sun-kissed supporters arriving at Hush which offered a premier backdrop for the evening.
An iconically good looking (I can write such things being ‘The Girl’ writer) James Mackenzie opened with confidence – filling the room with spacious cries of self-penned songs from his latest EP, “Curtain Road”.
James was accompanied by Neil Cameron on Fiddle who brought sensitivity to the set.James Mackenzie’s voice reaches and his songs resonate being the perfect prelude to an evening of outstanding talent.
Dorec-a-belle were instantly captivating a visual and aural feast drawing the audience in with four part harmonies that made your ears dance. Mary Anne Frew on lead vocal and guitar opened with a commanding ‘Listen’ that was coloured in with a gypsy swing Sax by Bev Fraser – playful accordion by Liza Mullholland and Imke Henderson driving the song forward on the cello .
Each song from Dorec-a-belle offered inventive instrumental arrangements that demonstrated how the girls have grown together as a band, each member complimenting the other and displaying their versatility as musicians. Dorec-a-belle sing songs lived and show deep empathy with every performance – none more than with ‘Ebony’ an agonising song that causes the hairs on the back of my neck to stand to attention.
The crowd were adoring and demanding of an encore and the girls obliged making sincere thanks to everyone for the support shown.
Dorec-a-belle’s recent interview with us is here and can be seen next at The Tea Posy in The Greenhouse, Dingwall – Saturday 2nd June.
