Live Review: Jill Scott, Jones Jnr

Opening the show were local lads Jones Jnr, delivering smooth hip hop beats, some well selected samples, reverb-drenched live trumpet and gorgeous vocals from frontman Evan Jones. His energy was infectious as the crowd warmed up for the treats to come.

An Evening with Jill Scott was indeed one to remember. Australian fans have been waiting over ten years for the queen of soul to grace our shores and in her first Sydney appearance she exceeded even the highest of expectations.

Backed by a ten-piece, all-male band Scott traversed her decade-long career. She wove funky horns-blaring hip hop tracks with laid-back R&B beats and spine-tingling ballads. However, what set her apart from most other live performers was her ability to talk. It is no easy feat to comfortably address a room of more than 1000 people and yet Scott spoke tenderly to the audience like an intimate gathering of friends in a lounge room. She was moving, emotional and motivated, sharing pearls of wisdom of hard lessons learnt and the joys of love well earned.

A Long Walk roused at least a deafening 30-second cheer from the audience, which had Scott a little teary, and it was only the fifth song. The audience sang along to every word of The Way, Cross My Mind and Gettin' In The Way, but Quick was the highlight of the night. Scott began a cappella speak/singing the words as she had first heard the song when it came to her. She then slowed it down with a rim shot on the drums and sparse keys. You could have heard a pin drop. Every word was weighted with emotion and tears were flowing freely all around the room.

Her three male backing singers, The Pipes, lightened the mood with a cheeky rendition of H'Towns Knockin' Da Boots. Their synchonised moves were slick and fun and their harmonies were like honey. He Loves Me showed off Scott's vocal prowess and operatic acrobatics before Hate On Me and Golden closed the set, Scott walking off stage still singing.

The crowd was hungry for more, however, and Scott obliged. A passionate rendition of And I Heard finished the evening as her band left the stage and Scott stood alone conducting the audience a cappella with “Do you understand what you feel inside”. She edged off stage with a beaming smile, as the audience continued singing.

It was a truly inspiring performance and cathartic experience. Hopefully Australia doesn't have to wait another ten years for her to come back.