Lianne La Havas’ soothing voice draws you into a lullaby world in No Room for Doubt (2012). The pure acoustic recording, captured by video director Colin Solal Cardo, allows La Havas’ voice to resound outwards to all that pass by. The rhythm of her guitar being the only accompaniment needed.
La Blogothèque’s recordings produce a space for the natural talents of the artists to shine, and none shine as brightly as the takeaway show for La Havas. Filmed 2011 in the Montmartre quarter of Paris, the sounds of the bustling streets with their cafés, markets and investigating tourists add a backdrop of real-life. Although there’s a touch of the surreal – when a street performer’s castanets merge in sync with the music. A happy coincidence? I’d like to think so. With charming waiters, busking artists, and the warm glow of lights as dusk begins – the video just bursts with Parisian charm.
Sadly, though the music video is missing the dulcet voice of Willy Mason, who perfectly pairs with La Hava’s in the released track. However, it does means theres two versions to enjoy instead of the one, and listening to them back to back is no bad thing.
The takeaway shows of La Blogothèque are filmed as live sessions with the artists and often in public spheres – on the streets, a café, a waterpark, etc – or in a more private settings of a church, an empty auditorium, or even a decadent hotel ballroom. Then there’s also the remote mountain top glacier video?! Each of La Blogothèques’s backdrops being carefully selected and as such add to the music’s atmospheric performance. Having hundreds of takeaway shows, they still manage to transport you.
La Havas’ takeaway video being a perfect example of such escapism; conjuring a sense of magic mixed with nostalgia – for example that moment when you first fell in love with live music. For many this harkens back to the days when as a child you stood transfixed by the beauty of a singer’s voice as they busked on a busy street. The crowds all stopping in their tracks to listen. La Havas’ performance being a step further in this jaw-dropping effect; that should the cameras have panned a full 360 I’m sure a pied piper image would have been seen – with many following to hear more.
La Havas’ music has the ability to wash away present day worries (if only for a time) and to leave in their place an unspoken joy. So kick off your shoes, put your feet up and relax in the sun.
Other songs by Lianne La Havas we love:
- Can’t Fight (2020 – Lianne La Havas)
- Paper Thin (2020 – Lianne La Havas)
- Midnight (2015 – Blood)
- What You Don’t Do (2015 – Blood)
- Green & Gold (2015 – Blood)
- Arms of Danger (2012 – Is Your Love Big Enough?)
- Don’t Wake Me Up (2012 – Is Your Love Big Enough?)
- Lost & Found (2012 – Is Your Love Big Enough?)
Other artists you might like:
- Corinne Bailey Rae
- Emily King
- India.Arie
- Lucy Rose
