Live Review

Joyce – Ronnie Scotts

• 6th Apr 2009

From classics by Dorival Caymmi and Tom Jobim to her own original work, Joyce not only looked but sounded stunning tonight at Ronnie Scotts Jazz Club. One of Brazil’s most internationally aclaimed artists Joyce was one of the few voices to speak from a feminist perspective in the harsh political climate of ’60s and ’70s Brazil. She performed a staggering version of her most famous song ‘Feminina’, here in encore, to wrap up a mesmerizing performance.

With two sold out dates at the world famous jazz venue, now celebrating 50 years, in London at the end of her European tour, Joyce fascinated the crowd with the bohemian sounds of “carioca” bossa nova.

Commanding the stage with beautiful, classy confidence her soothing, staggering voice matched perfectly the faultless band who received endless applause.

With her “Joao Gilberto” guitar, Joyce honoured the late Tom Jobim with an acoustic version of one of bossa nova’s most famous anthems ‘Aguas de Marco’ to then be joined again by her wonderful band to continue the serenade of songs from her new (old) album ‘Visions of Dawn’, recorded in 1976 and only now released.

The only problem was not being able to dance along to the groovy tunes and realising in the end that the summer breeze and sunny beach were only part of the illusion – or desire, if you wish!