Hundreds converged on the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre for Regina Belle Live In Concert – An Intimate Affair and the performances did not disappoint.
After a member of the group Faithful Few sang the National Anthem, local talent Damian Marvay delivered a solid and impactful half-hour set, well deserving of the rousing applause that followed.
Then gospel artiste Kareen Clarke, billed as the main local supporting act, got into her groove and literally stole the showfrom the visiting main attraction.
Feedback from most patrons wasthat the Barbadian songbird’s vocal performance, interaction with her audience and dynamic stage presentation was awesome.
Clarke was in fine vocal form, ripping into megahits, including California King Bed by Barbados’ own Rihanna, Impossible by Shontelle and classics by Tina Turner and others. Her set was highlighted by a spirited performance of her award-winning gospel single Running To You.
Then came Regina Belle. The fact that she performed without her band was a “plus”. She became the centre of attention and her voice was the focus.
It may have been her best performance thus far in Barbados (she has performed in Barbados on five occasions). Regina danced and joked with the audience, gave brief histories on each song and was entirely engaging.
Make It Like It Was, If I Could, Baby Come To Me, Show Me The Way, So Many Tears and others were performed the only way Belle can, which had fans screaming their approval.
But they were disappointed at the end of the show when she was hustled away by her assistant, Ivy Taylor. They had so wanted to meet their superstar.
Event promoter Ronnie Morris said: “Regina Belle agreed to the meet-and-greet with her fans after the event. Her manager Brian Springle, who was with me when she ran through the door, was left standing speechless.”
Both Clarke and Marvay did Barbados proud and even took time out to pose for photos with eager fans. Belle’s inability to do so was the only downside to an otherwise classy event. (MH/PR)CMC/2011
