There's a very fine line between singing with powerful emotion-driven sincerity and coming across as a second-class town crier trying to sound like a first class-act – but this singer gets it very right.

There's a very fine line between singing with powerful emotion-driven sincerity and coming across as a second-class town crier trying to sound like a first class-act – but this singer gets it very right.

Anyone who has seen Shannon Hope (Shannon McKenzie) perform at the Albany Cabaret Club will agree.

An audience sits in absolute silence as they are taken on a ride by a voice ranging from bluesy lows to diva-like highs in seconds.

Every sentence sung seems packed with a thousand emotions.

With sad, dark, from-the-core stuff to light-hearted and almost joking tunes, her music takes one on an emotional roller-coaster ride that will leave your brain in a knot at the most and a little touched at the least.

Although the addition of celloist Mariah Cohen may steal the show from the piano at times, only having the two instruments allows McKenzie the opportunity to really explore her vocal range.

Honest, emotional, polished: what more could one ask for?

Shannon Hope performs on Friday 5 July at the Lowlander and on Saturday 6 July at the Albany Cabaret Club, 11am on both days.

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