Reviews
Artists: Barbara Dickson
Venue: The Sage
Town: Gateshead
Date: 11th March
Website: http://www.barbaradickson.net
Almost a year exactly since Barbara Dickson last played the Sage, she sold out Hall 1, on her tour to promote her new CD, Words Unspoken.
As the band started up, Barbara walked onto the stage, sporting shorter, curly hair and launched straight into January, February. Greeting the audience like old friends she told us that The Sage is one of her favourite venues to play in the world and it wouldn't be the same if it wasn't here. She then mentioned that every time she plays up here, the hotel gives her a room overlooking the river; from here she can see the Guildhall where she first played in the area and so can see her journey in front of her.
Telling us that this song was performed last time but has changed a lot since then, she sang a beautiful version of Jamie Raeburn, the band accompaniment ever so subtle. Millworker followed; one of my favourites, it was written by James Taylor about a Millworker in Boston. She totally inhabits the song as she sings.
The first set continued with a wide variety of old and new songs, among them The Trees they Grow, a fabulous version In My Head, her tribute to her friend Gerry Rafferty, before a trip back in time to her Nothing's Gonna Change My World CD. The set ended with a rendition of Bridge Over Troubled Water, which, in my opinion, easily matches the original. Stunning.
Returning in a different outfit, Barbara played a new song, My Donald, written by a local, Ray Fisher, from Monkseaton no less! A strange but inspired choice followed in the form of Somewhere Only we Know, by Keane, followed by Western Wynde which merged with the beautiful Corpus Christi Carol. Somehow it made the room feel like a church. Making me and I'm sure many others wish we'd seen her in the show, she delivered an aching version of Another Suitcase in Another Hall from Evita. Then the story in song of King Orpheus told us a story of ancient celtic faeries.
Telling us that Blood Brothers began her connection with Bill Kenwright, she delivered a tear jerking performance of Easy Terms from the show, then made my night by following on with Tell me It's Not True, the finale song. She was the original Mrs Johnstone and to hear her sing these two songs and make them induce tears even out of context demonstrates that Mrs Johnstone is still very close to her heart.
Hush Hush was followed by Dylan's Don't Think Twice it's Alright, before we were introduced to the band. The same wonderful musicians as always, it is clear that Ms Dickson thinks the world of them. I Know Him So Well needed no introduction, with simple yet gorgeous guitar accompaniment from Troy Donochly and vocals from Nick Holland. A perfect end to a perfect set, followed by an encore which gave us Caravans. It is also worth mentioning that post set she always takes the time to meet people and sign autographs and is incredibly down to earth.
I really feel Barbara Dickson is something of an enigma; she just gets better and better. If you hacven't seen her play live, you need to and in the meanwhile find a copy of the new CD; Words Unspoken they may be, but they are sung to perfection.
Helen Mitchell