Camille O'Sullivan @ Assembly Halls, 9 Aug

Article by Gareth K Vile | 20 Aug 2009

Camille is known for her cabaret style renditions of Nick Cave and David Bowie, as well as traditional favourites. If the Dark Angel lacks her stunning versions of God is in the House and The Mercy Seat, it still has enough Cave to keep the fans happy, and allows her personality to shine through the songs more than in previous sets. The tension between Camille the Irish lass and the tortured torch singer is most evident during her encore. She gives The Ship Song a whispered sensuality - the opposite of Cave's muscular live version - before leaving the stage with a giggle. The dropping of masks defines the performance, and she switches from sultry vamp to innocent abroad at the drop of a cork. Where her previous shows have been in intimate spaces, the size of the Assembly Hall makes this stadium cabaret. Luckily, her choice of songs, including Bowie's apocalyptic Five Years, and her fulsome presence shrink the auditorium. The vibrant and funny numbers are more effective: the awed hush that marked her Spigeltent gigs is sadly absent. But Camille is growing without loosing her distinct charm. She is becoming a more polished show-woman, without selling out her natural shambolic humour.

http://www.camilleosullivan.com