Diandra Reviews It All - Kendra Morris Shows Heartache/Strength Are Keys To Perform

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There are moments when you know it is your night. It could be because it is LITERALLY your night, as it was for Kendra Morris’ release party at Rough Trade NYC. Giving her new record, Babble, to the world on Vinyl, you knew she felt good. Yet, seeing her excitement proved why this powerhouse of a woman/ vocalist has such an easy time on stage. Certain artists were actually born to perform, and she is one of them.

Kendra Morris – Woman (Official Video)

Kendra echoes the 70’s/ 80’s era of songstresses being born from the FemLib movement. Sure, when a few think of feminism, they might think, “I’m not going to take It ANYMORE. Burn EVERY BRA!”, but there is so much more. You fight for liberation when you have been enslaved, and FEMLib signified a moment when women could say, ”I have been enchained and I really do not like it.” Tracks like, “Woman”, “Twist & Burn”, and “Cry Sometimes” show that healing only comes because a hurt has been caused. Luckily, Morris has a POWERFUL voice that stabs you with its emotionality. When she sings to the wounds of love, your heart says, “Hello? Do you know me?”. She simply belts a words for all its juice, and leaves you frothing in the pulp of her range. Moreover, Morris is an actress. The minute that beat begins to drop, she closes her eyes, lifts her hands, and spreads her fingers as if love is unjustly arresting her. Then she keels over the mic in resistance because, frankly, we cannot always fight love’s desires, but we can always try.
Kendra Morris – Cry Sometimes

There are several times, especially as women, when we CURSE love for making us feel for men that do not think we can even HAVE a feeling. As Kendra sang and spoke to this sentiment, for me, Babble took on many meanings, particularly in terms of the “babble” people tell us rather than the truths we deserve. Honestly, we all want to hear a kind word, but, more importantly, we want it to be genuine. Part of Kendra Morris’ songs of strength/ heartache is the realization that being strong means going for the authentic, and catering to every good-looking falsehood/person. The reason Kendra Morris resonates so much in concert is that she echoes the times of Janis Joplin and Patti Labelle, i.e. 70’s/80’s, when you went to a show to not just experience music but also soul. You flocked to these artists because they were the ones that gave you the sonic strength to confront your spiritual weaknesses. Yes, people have broken your heart, to your undeserved pain, but, at least, a good song of healing can come from it; that is what Kendra Morris’ show teaches. For More Information On Kendra Morris Click Here.
Kendra Morris – Dial Back