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Voice outshines the glitter
Oct 29 2003
Mariah Carey at the NEC, Birmingham
By Alison Dayani, Birmingham Post
It was all about the glitter as troubled diva Mariah Carey brought her Charmbracelet to Birmingham.
Numerous sets and costume changes dazzled the crowd but could not overshadow her powerful voice.
Opening to a Moulin Rouge themed stage, Mariah walked through from the back of the Arena in a sparkling pink mini-dress that barely covered her bottom with bouncing, big blonde hair.
But she did not disappoint as she broke into Heartbreaker and showed the crowd just what she could do by reaching octaves other stars can only dream of.
Early hits Dreamlover, My All, and Honey received rapturous applause, more so than her latest tracks from the Charmbracelet album.
Slipping into a little gold number, Mariah continued as the set changed to a circus and although she didnt dance the extras on stage provided the extra entertainment for the crowd.
Mariah has bounced back despite her £19 million pay-off from EMI Records to end her five-album deal nearly two years ago.
She reminded the crowd of this as she explained her song Through the Rain was all about perseverance and carrying on.
Despite being a petite figure she the diva oozed personality and commanded the audiences attention as she made quirky anecdotes and drank tea on stage.
Mariahs duet with rapper Busta Rhymes I Know what you Want was a summer smash hit but wasnt quite the same when sung without the R&B artist by her side.
Although her faster tracks were popular, it was the slow love songs that stretched Mariahs voice that truly showed what a talent the 33 year old singer still is.
Mariah may not be as cool as she once was but one things for sure she still has the multi-million pound voice.
