Music / Miriam Lieberman Trio. At The Street Theatre, August 5. Reviewed by CASSIDY RICHENS.

THE Miriam Lieberman Trio performed a powerfully uplifting concert in a “close-your-eyes-and-see-into-my-soul” kind of way.

Marking the release of their latest album “Just Transforming”, the trio opened with a captivating version of the album’s title track, effortlessly setting the intimate tone of the unforgettable evening.

Accompanying her penned poetry on nylon string guitar and kora, the intimate venue well matched to the nature of the music and Lieberman’s compositions.

The kora, a sacred West African instrument traditionally played by men, offered melody, counter melody, and solo parts all at once.

Coupled with the lush vocal harmonies and soaring violin of WA violinist and vocalist Lara Norman and Sydney’s Susie Bishop, altogether they offered an impressive uplifting orchestral-like sound.

The song selection spanned Lieberman’s six studio albums, moving from melancholy to hopeful, providing an insight into the inner thoughts of this remarkable Australian artist.

“Do You Hear Me”, a song about courage and singing to feel safe, a mournfully magic expression of vulnerability, was followed by a playful picture of people sharing music in the West African city of Conakry in “Crack of Dawn”, Lieberman’s African stylings joyfully present.

But when she sang “Everything”, a new song written after the recent loss of her mother and performed live for the first time, streaming tears fall silently down my cheeks. She hooks me with the lyric: “I hope that you’ll be proud of me for finding the opportunity for joy”, a delightful expression of the artist’s optimism for life.

More celestial strings and lush harmonies and a catchy chorus follow in “Garden in your Heart”, from the 2014 album “Birds of the Moon”.

Opening the second set with her favourite song, “Legacy”, featuring a harmony rich chorus and intricate guitar work by Lieberman, she continued with songs from the new album, which saw her return to songwriting and performing after a hiatus devoted to motherhood.

Her children, both at the concert with her, come into her work in “Lior”, a heart-melting lullaby to her newborn son. “Calling us Home” highlighted Bishop’s classically trained voice in the sweeping ethereal harmonies while “Infinite We Are” – a definite standout – encouraged us to be open to the limitless possibilities of life. One could hear the rolling waves in the driving beats of “I’m Awake”, an inspirational nod to Lieberman’s daily ocean swims, in which she asks us to act now, not wait.

Being 10 metres away from Lieberman’s sung stories was an honour, her lyrics and compositions are outstanding. Sung with a quality not often heard – rich, warm, and full – her voice enveloped, licked and sealed me inside. I adored her.

Later, reading her lyrics and recalling the transformative nature of her songs, I reflected on her stories of regular trips to West Africa, where “people live very simply, but they have a huge spirit”, and considered the impact this has had on her life’s philosophy and craft.