The Power of Jennifer Rush - Cape Town (2013)
I remember being 8 years old and my sister owning a Celine Dion CD. As the younger sibling, I followed suite and got one for my 8th birthday as well. The album was "The Colour of My Love," the first song on the album, "The Power of Love." My aunty immediately told me that it wasn't a Celine Dion song but was a Jennifer Rush song. After asking my mother about this, we went to my nan's place and she put on the Jennifer Rush CD, I instantly fell in love with her powerful voice.
Fast forward 16 years later, I am 24 years old and find myself sitting in the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) waiting for Jennifer Rush to take the stage. It didn't hit me until she opened with "I Come Undone" that I have been waiting for 16 years to see her live. While the opening act was still on, I went through my life from the age of 8 and how I collected Jennifer Rush material over the years. I remember being 18 and purchasing Stronghold: The Collectors Box in 2007. Now I am seeing her live!
After performing "25 Lovers," she started with "Ring of Ice" and said she wanted the audience to dance along. She came down from the stage and some people started standing up. When she was a few paces closer to me, I stood and not only did she come and dance with me, she hugged and kissed me as well!!! It took me a while to realise that Jennifer Rush - a woman I saw as a musical influence from the age of 8 - kissed me! I had been listening to her music and watching her music video's for years . . . and now that very same woman I listened to and watched, gave me a kiss on the lips! THANK YOU JENNIFER RUSH!!!! I LOVE YOU.
Overall, the concert was a huge success. The opening act, Romanz, blew me away. Their vocal abilities and tonalities were amazing. The South African Youth Choir gave a fantastic performance on their own and with Jennifer. Let's not forget about Jennifer's amazing band and backing vocalists who also gave a stunning performance. I would recommend that if you haven't seen Jennifer Rush live - that you do so as soon as possible!
Jennifer Rush live in concert reminded me of a lesson she taught me when I was 8 years old that I may have heard for years to come but didn't take notice of, even though I do now: "Sometimes I am frightened but I'm ready to learn about the power of LOVE."