Beverley Lyons
IT was a one night only performance but Soul Nation Choir showcased a month’s worth of vocal power at their Edinburgh Festival show.
The passion filled troupe headed up by vocal coach and ex boy bander Chris Judge already count Susan Boyle, Tom Jones, Paolo Nutini and Lulu amongst their celebrity followers and collaborators and it’s easy to see why.
Choirs are aplenty but Soul Nation are at the top of their game and boasted a repertoire of songs ranging from gospel standards like Higher and Higher to pop and rock anthems like Justin Timberlake’s Cry Me A River in their set.
Their All Fired Up gig at the Gilded Balloon Debating Hall saw a full house as the ten strong choir powered through anthems including an emotive mash up of This Is Me from the Greatest Showman and From Now On.
The buttery vocals of Chris and the gang made songs like Ain’t No Mountain High Enough and Shackles by Mary Mary seem like a walk in the park.
The troupe were joined onstage by beat boxer Bigg Taj and gave a modern twist to classic songs like
Stand By Me.
They even managed to have some extra fun interaction during the performance with ‘karaoke’ style singing by plucky audience members.
Stand By Me.
They even managed to have some extra fun interaction during the performance with ‘karaoke’ style singing by plucky audience members.
It all added to the feel good element of the evening and it’s easy to see why the choir who were the featured vocal in the Red Hot Chilli Pipers version of Avicii’s Wake Me Up are a favourite at high profile gigs as well as weddings and theatre shows.
Roof raising anthems like I Believe I can Fly and Walking In Memphis really showcased the individual voices that make up this passionate group.
Roof raising anthems like I Believe I can Fly and Walking In Memphis really showcased the individual voices that make up this passionate group.
By the time the inspirational performers sang their trance fuelled rendition of Set You Free (as featured on their recent River City wedding appearance), and a finale featuring west end star Brian Leys performing Circle of life from Lion King, the Debating Hall was filled with a plethora of Affirmatives.
It’s a big yes for the talents of Soul Nation. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️