One of my voice students who's interested in exploring her soulful side has been listening to Joss Stone lately and sent me this video as a suggestion for a song we might work on together. Stone is one in a long line of British singers and musicians with a strong feeling for a certain type of American music--specifically the blues and soul-influenced genres with deep roots in African American culture (the Rolling Stones, Elton John, and Adele come to mind as other examples of these Brits with an affinity for American roots music).
This video really shows the dynamic that can exist between a performer and her audience. The audience is very much a part of this performance. The screams and other vocal demonstrations of approval, though not technically part of the music as written and rehearsed, do contribute to the sound environment and context of this event as captured on video. Audience members add to the rhythmic performance as well by clapping to the beat. This song is in quadruple meter (ONE two three four, ONE two three four . . . ). The claps go on beats two and four of the measure--these are called upbeats because they are usually unaccented. (the accented ONE at the beginning of the measure is called the downbeat).
It's fun to listen to the interactions between Stone's vocal (which provides the melody in this performance) and the solo guitar that seems to answer back as though in wordless conversation with her. Add in the harmonies of the backup singers and the other instruments of the band and you've got a nice homophonic texture here--a prominent melody line (sung by Joss Stone) supported by harmonic accompaniment.
Fun fact: Joss Stone often performs in bare feet. Not a bad idea! I've seen voice teachers demand that students remove uncomfortable shoes so they can sing better!
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