Divas For Life-Live At The Vogue ! - Fusion 3

Before I heard this album I kind of had it with Divas. With the Pop princess's there were rumours of cat fights temper tantrums way too many crazy crescendos and then there's Celine Dion. Her diatribes on having a baby alone were enough to turn anyone's stomach how she figured her ovaries were important to us is beyond me. This album is about artistic integrity not full-size egos it's about singing from the right place for the right reason and not competing with vocal gymnastics though any one of these local Jazz Divas has the range to threaten your glassware .
This benefit concert received unbelievable word of mouth before and especially after the show. With standing room only space in a packed Vogue theatre last February Divas Laura Crema, Dee Daniels, Kate Hammett-Vaughan, Karin Plato, Stevie Vallance and Tammy Weis delivered classic heart and soul-stompers all in the name of charity.
Divas For Life was born after Stevie Vallance best friend Jane died of Cancer in June 2000. As Vallance says everyone should be able to relate "as this age of Life threatening illness looms in the background of all our realities , we decided to offer what we know best-our voices to help raise money for those in need, in our own community." With a national tour in the works for spring Divas for Life will rekindle anyone's love for that special something that great singer's posses a breath-taking simplicity that makes it seem easy but we know better.
The album opens with Dee Daniels' confident sassy take on God Bless the Child, warning as good as the album is I found myself playing this one over and over. Daniels' full-bodied fiery range will have you shaking your head in awe. During the concert Laura Crema suffering from a nasty cold shivered backstage in her evening gown waiting for her turn and she made the best of it with a zippy cover of Cole Porter's From This Moment On. Stevie Vallance understated approach to Over the rainbow is one of the albums highlights and Tammy Weis who's easily one of the most underrated chauntese' in this city shines on the well chosen Ray Charles number Hallelujah I love him so. Remember this was recorded in February and Karen Plato's self penned Vancouver weather inspired Beauty in the Rain has this modern sensibility that gives the album a touch of the new and Kate Hammett-Vaughan represents Kurt Weill and Ira Gershwin with the spacious lazy This is New. There are no weak links on this one thanks to superb musical direction from Pianist Michael Creber who was joined by Graham Boyle on Drums, Bassist Steve Holy and Tom Keenlyside with Sax. A very uplifting album for all the right reasons with all proceeds from sales going to Friends for Life.
For more information on Friends For Life a non profit organization that provides support for people with life threatening illness check out their web site www.divasforlife.com .

By John Beaudin
August 2001