Lisa Stansfield - All Around The World

March 19, 2016 Critic Jonni 0 Comments

Lisa Stansfield was the first big name to be announced for Birmingham Pride 2016. At first I was excited because everyone has heard of her name at least, but after researching her songs I've come to realised that I only really know and like this one song, which begs to question whether she is a big enough star to headline Pride. As much as I want to hear this song live, I would rather be getting ready to go out clubbing, or chilling in one of the bars, or be at the funfair, or be in the dance arena, than be at the main stage listening to her sing songs I don't really know. Lisa Stansfield sings this powerful and highly emotional song, which guaranteed her a place at the top of the UK charts back in 1989. A total performance piece she sends her emotion out to the viewers.

Lisa Stansfield has had her day, the 90's was her decade, and although I totally believe an artist should be able to constantly chart, only the best manage to do that across decades, there's the Madonnas, the Britneys, the Christinas, the Rihannas, the Justins. Lisa Stansfield might be a big name, but she isn't current any more. A collaboration with a DJ might get her to chart, it worked for Mary J. Blige, but I don't think it will give Lisa Stansfield more fans, which she inevitably needs to become current. She'll be forever known for this one song, and I don't see why Birmingham Pride chose her as a headliner, when the younger population at Pride, which is usually the majority of attendees, won't be watching. This song is her biggest hit, it got to the top of the charts in 1989, and her other songs failed to climb as high. It was written by Lisa Stansfield, Ian Devaney and Andy Morris.

The video is extremely basic, but we totally expected that since it was filmed in the very late 80's.

Some of the clothes she is wearing is shocking, but they were fashionable back then. What is surprising is that her blue jacket is definitely back in fashion now, she should so find it in her wardrobe and wear it for Pride as it is stylish and would still look great no matter what she paired it with.

A total performance piece, this video displays her voice to the audience. She puts her all in some of the lyrics, fully meaning every single one of them. However, at times, she is too relaxed, enough to suggest that she is holding back.

The black and white filter fails to keep me interested, although it signifies that she's thinking of the past, there is no intercutted scenes and a narrative is only hinted at.

The video, overall, looks like a display video to show people some camera tricks. It fails to engage and although Lisa Stansfield does her best to portray the feelings needed for the video, the camera tricks falter the entire performance.

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