Angie Stone
Forum

NOBODY who uses the Tube can have missed the escalator adverts for big-budget musical Chicago.
They are toe-curling. Over the years we have been invited to go crazy for wimpy TV presenter Gaby Roslin, Denise Van Outen (too late for the Carry On films, but does she care?), forgotten Brookside ‘star’ Claire Sweeney and chisel-jaw Beppe off Eastenders. Hello? Just putting them in fishnets and moody make-up doesn’t make them any good – especially Beppe. I have always passed on the prospect.
But one woman is the exception that proves the ‘Chicago is rubbish’ rule: Angie Stone. One of the slickest soul singers in the US right now, she knocked them dead in the Broadway version of the girls-in-jail show. Van Outen and pals should take note. And it’s not as if it’s Stone’s day job. She is better known for three sparkling albums of endearing rhythm and blues.
If you forgive her for teaming up with Blue in that regrettable update of Signed, Sealed, Delivered with Stevie Wonder last year, you will find a singer who keeps things simple and delivers a knockout show.
There is no needless harmonising, no sickly soul acrobats – she just pumps out cracking tune after cracking tune, following the simple soul formula passed through the genre’s family true.
Unfortunately, Stone has yet to really get the recognition she deserves on these shores. Enthusiasts will be familiar with her work but her pop crossover attempts have hardly dusted the charts.
It’s not too late. Check out old albums Black Diamond and Mahogany Soul, the latter contains the magnificent Wish I Didn’t Miss You.
And then there is Stone Love, last year’s beefed-up third album. It had a tinge of hip-hop but the disco soul was still there. Put her up there with Jill Scott, Sunshine Anderson and India Arie as one of soul’s saviours. And then go buy tickets for this weekend’s shows in Kentish Town. They are not cheap but the damage on the door will be forgotten if Stone is found on good form.
n Angie Stone plays the Forum (Kentish Town Tube) on Sunday, April 3, and Monday, April 4. £25.