On the one hand, her concerts evoke admiration (that one can have a great voice like Billie Holiday), on the other — disbelief (because she made her debut singing with street artists), and sometimes — impatience (allegedly for copying the masters, mostly blues ones). It was not different when Madeleine Peyroux performed in Wroclaw seven years ago at Jazz nad Odrą Festival. Then she already released three albums — the legendary debut sought after by Polish fans — "Dreamland", after which she was proclaimed the successor of the unforgettable Billie Holiday's album; "Careless Love", with hit cover of "Dance Me to the End of Love" of Leonard Cohen; and finally, "Half the Perfect World", with songs of Peyroux, Joni Mitchell and Bob Dylan. Now the Canadian has a greater experience (recorded three more CDs, the latest — "The Blue Room" — with songs of Ray Charles, in the previous year) and stable position.
Her fans appreciate the fact that over the years she has not changed her style, which is her trademark, like deep voice. At the concerts she does not look like a star, but rather like a woman from the neighbourhood who will grab a guitar in the moment and sing something that we all know, but in a new way. Her performances do not resemble shows, but they are meetings with the listeners of American standards, often traditional ones. Peyroux is not afraid to record well-known songs once again, but on the contrary — she finds something universal about the song and presents it to today's audience. The Canadian artist does not have to simper to anyone, because she proved that even when she started her dizzying career a few years ago, she could go back to the roots and play together with street musicians who once were almost her second family.
The concert of Madeleine Peyroux in Wroclaw will take place on May 7 in the White Stork Synagogue (Synagoga pod Białym Bocianem) at Ethno Jazz Festival. It will start at 8:00 PM. The tickets cost between 90 and 150 zlotys, standing entries for students and schoolchildren — 60 zlotys.
Magdalena Talik
