Newbury choir Soul Reason are the essence of singing for enjoyment

Soul Reason Choir
at Arlington Arts, Snelsmore
on Saturday, July 19

Review by BRIAN HARRINGTON

Soul Reason choir was formed in 2021 as a response to the feelings of isolation and lack of creative outlets experienced by so many during Covid lockdowns.

Under the musical direction of Maia Hendrickx (Maia HN) they have gone from strength to strength. You cannot fault their ethos which is founded in ‘Songs Of Unity, Joy and Strength’ which has brought so many amateur choral vocalists together and encouraged and developed their skills. This show was subtitled A Song For You.

Tonight saw a packed Arlington Arts enjoying a varied programme of music adapted for choral singing, with upwards of 40 performers on stage plus a live four piece band, comprising lead and bass guitars, keyboards and drums.

Two sets featuring the full choir, with some short soloist sections, were built around a fantastic short set from Maia and her band, which, like the choral sets, featured some excellent and interesting song choices and adaptations, including a wonderfully emotional re-imagining of the Stevie Wonder hit Superstition.

The choir opened with their version of the Bill Withers classic Lovely Day and Wichita Lineman, the Jimmy Webb song which Glen Campbell made famous.

There were songs to satisfy every musical taste ranging from Earth, Wind And Fire through Santana to Maroon 5.

In The Air Tonight, the Phil Collins track, and Simon and Garfunkel's Bridge Over Troubled Water seemed to sum-up the spirit and values of Soul Reason perfectly and earned them an encore, which they delivered with the equally fitting and well chosen What Was I Made For? (Billie Eilish).

With their focus on community, Soul Reason are the essence of singing for enjoyment and bring diverse people together with a purpose of creating joyous music. They can be found on Facebook and Instagram, while Maia offers vocal coaching and can be contacted via https://mhvsvoicecoach.com/