Apart from Clare Teal’s irritating habit of addressing the audience as “Leeds” which, after Tom Russell’s record number of mentions of Pocklington in a single set, was particularly annoying, I enjoyed most of the concert at the Venue. Nobody would ever call Clare Teal “small-voiced” (see Stacey Kent) but the full-on approach doesn’t always work. She has a fine voice and did some great versions of standards and less well-known material. Up-tempo numbers and ballads were equally effective. I particularly liked her versions of “Love Hurts” and “Breaking up is hard to do” which were hits for Roy Orbison and Neil Sedaka respectively back in the 60s. Part of her encore was a stomping version of “My Way” which justified the volume. Other numbers were a bit too shouty for my taste. The audience was mixed, but probably with a majority over 50. As always at the Venue, a good sprinkling of students too, since it’s part of Leeds College of Music. Backing musicians were good (though drummer showing off, as drummers do). Pity that the musicians aren’t given a credit on her website.
Oh, and Kendall’s Bistro (may not have spelled that exactly right) opposite does first class French-style cooking and has a set price menu for early evening.
