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Sinead live July 28th 1997 at the Forum in London, England

Reviewed by Mandy Green

The set-list consisted of the following songs (NOT, btw, in this order) :

Emperor's New Clothes
You Made Me The Thief Of Your Heart (a personal favourite and high-point)
John, I Love You (another favourite - especially when the chorus kicks in,
for those of you who have already seen this tour you'll know what I mean - did you see Sinead move??? For those yet to see her, watch out for the way Sinead moves during the chorus :-))
All Babies
Petit Poulet (MUCH better live)
This Is To Mother You
Last Day Of Our Acquaintance (calmer but effective nonetheless)
I Am Stretched On Your Grave (slower and funkier)
This IS A Rebel Song (again, MUCH better live - here Sinead pointed out the reasons for not having been able to include this on the English EP - solely to do with the early release date in the UK - NOTHING POLITICAL ;)
Thank You For Hearing Me
In This Heart (ETHEREAL - AND another FAVOURITE ;)
Fire On Babylon (joined by the wonderful Natacha Atlas - formerly of
Transglobal Underground - now solo, check out "Diaspora" on Nation Records. This was an excellent version, Natacha's vocals adding greatly to the whole atmosphere of the song - and Sinead's "swimming in the deep blue" adlibbed vocals at the end were - thankfully - in tact ;)
Redemption Day (*yes* JAH ;)
She Moved Through The Fair (The best til last - here is singing at its ultimate. The passion and emotion ran high and touched deep. I am left feeling elated, happy and in awe).

The gig opened to a packed Forum in Kentish Town with "The Screaming Orphans" who also double up later on as Sinead's backing chorus. Their set was good (I understand they have just signed to Blue Mountain Records, so a release could be in the offing - I, for one, hope so). They are a 4-piece from Donegal (all sisters) whose singing drummer, Joan Diver, has one hell of a great voice...in fact they're all good singers but it was Joan who left the biggest impression.

They're definitely Irish in sound and it was good to see a support act who held your attention with their lilting harmonies and unified melodies. So, my advice? Get there early and catch this band !

After a 40 minute set off they went - to rapturous applause - smiling as they left.

Then finally, at around 9pm, the house lights went down and on walked the lady herself. I was right at the front with the best view and the biggest smile;) I've had the pleasure of seeing all of Sinead's headline gigs in London since 1987 and I can honestly say, hand on heart, that tonight's concert was an all-time high. I cannot even begin to describe how it felt seeing her radiant smile as she grabbed hold of the mike - she lit up the whole place. At 30, Sinead has matured into a beautiful woman - not merely the physical but also, and more importantly, the emotional. Her voice and constantly smiling eyes were testimony to this fact. She wore a blue/grey halter-neck cropped top, khaki and grey nylon peddle-pushers-cum-combat-trousers and orange sneakers. She had a blue and silver piece of jewelry attached to the skin just below her navel (for the completists amongst you!).

The set kicked off with Emperor's New Clothes to an enthusiastic crowd. Sinead looked really REALLY *happy* and this was sooooo good to see. The reactions upon both seeing Sinead step out onto the stage and after each and every song remained the same - we were in seventh heaven. The one thing that always strikes me is the clarity and purity of Sinead's voice - I'm always amazed at just how talented a singer this woman is !! You'd think I'd be used to this by now - but I assure you, Sinead just gets better and better.

People inevitably called out for "Troy" to which Sinead just said that "the dead should stay dead and buried, where they belong. I don't sing those songs any more. I'm happy now". Big grin to the rest of her (excellent) band. I can understand totally why Sinead doesn't want to look back. She was 18/19 when she wrote and recorded those songs. She's now a lot wiser and a hell of a lot happier and for this we should be glad.

Sinead thanked Columbia and Blue Mountain Records.

Universal Mother and The Gospel Oak come into their own live - never underestimate this woman's talent cos she'll blow you away - every time !!

To Sinead (given the opportunity, of course;) I would say simply this: "THANK YOU - for still being there, for not giving up, for sharing your beautiful music, and for making a difference".

Well, that's me over and out - ...ENJOY THE UPCOMING US & CANADIAN GIGS...I

know you will :-))))))))

A very happy Mandy