Julia Bullock & Bretton Brown – The Queens Hall

Julia Bullock is an American Soprano, from Missouri, the New York Times have described as, ‘An impressive, fast-rising soprano…poised for a significant career’.

This was a real concert of two halves, the first section being more classical and almost funereal in places, and the second  after the interval, being much more lyrical and almost playful, albeit with a serious message. And perhaps pointing towards the dual personality of Bullock herself; extremely serious about her music, with many years of Classical training, on the one hand but clearly also very passionately involved with the plight of sisterhood and Black America.

I particularly liked the tenderly sung, Billy Holliday number, ‘Our Love Is Different’, which also included some beautiful Jazz solos by pianist Bretton Brown. Also, the monologue piece, without piano, ‘revolution’ (Nina Simone), with the powerful lyric, ‘get your discriminatory foot off all our backs’.

Finishing as it started with Franz Schubert. From the baroque to the classical, ragtime and blues, from the music of the church to the music of the street, this was a great concert that spanned the ages and that had something for everyone.

Reviewer: Greg Holstead

Reviewed: 16th August 2023

North West End UK Rating: