Live review from pbsfm.org.au - Grace Barbe at the Retreat


Beginning the Melbourne leg of a national tour, Grace opens with a promise to skip the talking and just play as much music as possible. She has a huge voice and backed by very accomplished musicians the strong reggae grooves quickly take hold. Grace is originally from the island of Seychelles and as the set progresses her wide base of influences becomes evident. Singing in both French and English the music drifts seamlessly along genres; bouncing reggae slides in comfortably with the slower roots ballads.

 

It’s a fairly long set and they mix it up well moving from “Thanks and Praise”, an optimistic and uplifting mantra to songs like “Jungle Juice” which really get the crowd moving. The piercing reflection of songs like “Why” also show how well they can shift down a gear when needed.

Grace seems to sing from within, it seems so natural, almost too natural. As she coaxes the crowd to sing along you get the impression this is Grace Barbe just being Grace Barbe. All the while the band makes sure no one is standing still, those not vying for room on the dance floor are tapping their feet and bouncing like puppets on strings.

 

Both bands take a real personal tack with their music. It’s big, generous and genuine; music for the joy of it. It sure looks like a joy to play and it is most definitely a joy to listen too.

 

Anthony Cabraal

Grace on youtube


Check back soon for film footage of Grace's recent cd launch, as well as one of her performances at the Woodbridge festival. Until then, click here to see a couple of songs performed by Grace and the band at the Beauty of Africa charity ball in Perth last year..... And here for an acoustic version of "Mon Arive", performed live for tv....

Upcoming Gigs


 

Upcoming Shows ( view all )
28 Jan 2010 8:00 P
The Ellington North Perth, Western Australia
20 Feb 2010 9:00 P
Clancy’s Fish Pub Fremantle, Western Australia
26 Feb 2010 6:30 P
Nannup Music Festival Nannup, Western Australia
27 Feb 2010 3:30 P
Nannup Music Festival Nannup, Western Australia
12 Mar 2010 8:00 P
Blue Mountain Music Festival Katoomba, New South Wales
13 Mar 2010 8:00 P
Blue Mountain Muisc Festival Katoomba, New South Wales
14 Mar 2010 8:00 P
Blue Mountain Music Festival Katoomba, New South Wales
17 Apr 2010 8:00 P
Ipswich Festival Ipswich, Queensland
18 Apr 2010 8:00 P
Ipswich Festival Ipswich, Queensland
22 May 2010 9:00 P
Clancy’s Fish Pub Fremantle, Western

Interview with Grace!


The website Africanoz recently interviewed Grace. Check out what she had to say about the importance of her cultural roots and more at http://www.africanoz.com/

Special Guest!!!


Currently guesting with Grace's band is the incredible percussionist, flautist and singer Odei Nmai from Ghana. Odei is about to embark on an Australian tour with his group Wala, but has kindly agreed to lend his talents to Grace and her band while he's in Perth.

Odei will be singing Alhaji K. Frimpong's Afrobeat classic "Kyenkyen Bi Adi Mawu" as part of the set so don't miss it!!!!

Check Walas website for more about Odei and his group

"Mon Arive" to feature on WAMi festival compilation 2008


Grace's song "Mon Arive", will feature on the annual WAMi festival compilation for 2008. The track, taken from her recently released debut single, will appear alongside recordings from other Western Australian artists of all genres.

Click here to visit the West Australian Music Industry Association website.

Recordings


After releasing the cd single in October, we're going back in to the studio in December to finish off the album. To get an idea of what we're up to, watch this short clip of us in the studio working on the song "Thanks and Praises"

30th September Deen supporting Dubwise (NZ)


Come and check us out on 30th September at the Deen in Northbridge, We'll be supporting New Zealand reggae act Dubwise