We Plug To You… Emeli Sande – Our Version Of Events

Hi everyone. Filled with a mixture of sadness and joy today, with the demise of the Great Whitney Houston and with Adele, sweeping the Grammy’s over the weekend, it seems rather poetic. Gone is a legend – with a voice so pure – and in comes, a woman that I suspect will be a legend in her own right with a voice just as pure. It’s the magic that we call life. Our artist today, has two things in common with the late Whitney and Adele…

She has an amazing powerful voice and her first name is actually Adele, so without further ado, I have the pleasure of introducing to you British Soul Singer and Songwriter – Emeli Sande. Born to a Zambian father and an English mother, she was raised in Scotland and started to sing at the age of 11. Deciding that she wanted to have a career to fall back on, if music did not work out, she attended University of Glasgow, studying medicine until she dropped out in her fourth year.
 

Wow! How powerful is that song? That was “River” and the first time I heard this song was on a recent appearance on SB.TV’s A64 series where she performed a medley of songs from the album. She had no backup, just her on the piano and right there and then, I was mesmerized and immediately pre-ordered the album. I was going to need to hear the full version of this song. The 2012 Brits Critics Choice Award winner is simply magnificent on this track and words really do fail me in explaining the emotion she evokes in me with this tune. The piano synths on this track are way powerful and knowing that this is the only instrument she needs, speaks volume to the the awesomeness that is Miss Emeli’s voice. It was produced by Naughty Boy, who is also on one of the album tracks, “Daddy” and who also produces most of the tracks on the album.

With such powerful and great talent, comes great responsibility. At least, that’s what I reckon Emeli was thinking when writing “Hope”. Like many other wonderful artists before her, she is using her voice and song, to influence anyone that might hear, and I hope, like she does, that we really all do contribute to making a difference to our world, our friends and family. It was co-written and produced byAlicia Keys, and that right there is huge for a debut record. I’m expecting to see them perform it together very soon. Reminds me a little of the late Micheal Jackson’s “Human Nature”, especially with the background effect that sounds like waterfalls – just like on MJ’s track.

Well, what is a Soulful record without a song about break-ups? Adele just won six Grammy awards for a soulful record filled with songs about breakup, so you know its a winning formula, if nothing else. On “Suitcase”, Emeli talks about her man leaving her for reasons unbeknownst to her and having been there myself, I can totally relate. The guitar, the drum, the piano and backup singers with wonderful harmonies, all come together in a perfect melody to make this song truly beautiful.

I could not very well end it with a sad song and frankly, I just wasn’t ready to stop telling you of all the reasons why you should go get this album immediately. I see no reason why Our Version of Events cannot be a number one album on the charts. On the Naughty boy-produced “Where I Sleep”, she speaks of a love so powerful, so strong, that she will go to any lengths for. I want that kind of love, don’t you? This is the first song on which she reminds me of anybody else, sounding somewhat like Beyonce on this track. This two-minute track is definitely my favorite on the album.