Lopez Blogs

I'm still sick. Try not to breathe my germs and marvel at the magnificence of the music below...

ELOUISE ENCHANTED:

I was temporarily smitten with Lady Gaga's equality for all single Born This Way, but tired quickly (Bored This Way?) for a number of reasons - yes, it did just make me want to listen to Express Yourself by Madonna. It felt a bit pandering and rushed compared to epic moments like Poker Face & Bad Romance. Even a country version failed to resusitate my interest. My favourite chanteuse of recent years, Elouise, has corrected all the issues I had with the song in her latest, acclaimed stage set "Little Belter" - and now it's available free to download. There are a number of reasons why this version is absolutely gutwrenchingly stunning - addressed below:

• The Little Belter - Elouise's latest show is designed to give her modern day diva status more of a voice, a distinctive flow between the songs. This framing works well with Born This Way - it gives Elouise the chance to embody the song with all the passion, hope, heartbreak and betrayal it deserves. You actually feel that she's gone up against prejudice and negativity as she sings the song, but stuck to her beliefs and come out a stronger person. It gives the song a highly essential narrative...
• The Piano - positioning Born This Way as an elegant torch song is a stroke of genius. A sumptuous piano refrain is the only accompaniment to Elouise's stirring vocal and it's all that is needed. The chords bounce off each other exquisitely to create a lush soundscape and this is the reason why the piano is my favourite instrument. It ebbs and flows with the mood of the song and Elouise flawlessly matches it note for note. Heaven (Glee would do well to note the power of this version rather than undertaking a cookie cutter karaoke version).
• Elouise the storyteller - the goal of Little Belter to provide a narrative is showcased perfectly through Elouise's studied vocal performance. She mirrors the needs of the lyrics of the song perfectly. For example, the tremulous and tentative first verse that speaks of a mother talking to her daughter. Elouise performs this so delicately, she all but embodies the role of the child. As she "grows" throughout the song, taking the message on board, she adds more confidence to her vocal until she becomes "the mother" during the spoken middle 8 and the warrior princess during the powerful, spinetingling final chorus. It all comes full circle when she breathes the last line, returning to the childlike state. Words don't do justice to how tremendous this effect is and it gives the song a whole different perspective. Beyond stunning.

Do check out Elouise in London in April and May...