Review: Madeleine Peyroux brings her UK tour to a close in Cambridge

Famed American jazz singer Madeleine Peyroux performed at the Cambridge Corn Exchange, a year after having postponed her 2021 UK tour due to Covid, on Monday, October 3.

Support came from English folk rock duo, Smoke Fairies, who impressed with their beautiful harmonies and ethereal sound - a sound that has slightly more of an edge about it than many acts of a similar nature. The well-received pair revealed that the first time they played the Corn Exchange was back in 2007 supporting Bryan Ferry.

Madeleine and her four-piece band (pianist/keyboard player, drummer, bass player and guitarist, who I thought looked a bit like country singer Lyle Lovett) came to out to an enthusiastic reception, the singer looking chic in velvet trousers, blazer and a silk scarf.

“Let’s play some music together,” said Ms Peyroux, highlighting the part the audience plays in the live music experience. The jaunty Getting Some Fun Out of Life kicked off the proceedings in style, the star’s beautiful voice, which never wavered throughout, effortlessly carrying the melody.

Madeleine revealed that this was the last night of her UK tour. “No pressure on you,” she joked. As expected, a number of songs from her most successful album Careless Love followed, including the gorgeous Dance Me to the End of Love and Don’t Wait Too Long, which the personable singer-songwriter said she wrote when George W Bush got re-elected. She dedicated it to “all the women of Iran and Afghanistan”.

A French-language track off Careless Love, J’ai Deux Amours, was another delight. “Did you understand the French, or did you just do like everyone else and assume it was about sex?” asked Madeleine, who accompanied herself on an acoustic guitar for many of the songs. Cue much laughter.

This was followed by the groovy Água de Beber, a tune in “even sexier” Brazilian Portuguese, and my favourite song of the evening. There was a well-chosen Bob Dylan cover (You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go) and a couple of Billie Holiday numbers, including God Bless the Child.

[Read more: Madeleine Peyroux: If it’s not beautiful, it’s not interesting]

Madeleine’s charm and charisma ensured that the energy level was maintained and her talented backing musicians were regularly given a chance to show what they could do on their respective instruments - and they certainly delivered. When it was time to say goodbye, following a one-song encore, the crowd roared their appreciation. I can safely say tonight was worth the wait.

For more on Madeleine Peyroux, visit madeleinepeyroux.com.