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Kim Richey

Venue: The Central
Town: Gateshead
Date: 26th November
Website: www.kimrichey.com

Singer Songwriter Kim Richey comes from Ohio, but lived in Nashville before living in London for the past few years. She returned to play in Gateshead as part of the Vintage Tour bus evening of music, organised by Jumpin' Hot Club, which saw her playing two sets at The Central Bar (a venue which reminds me more every time I see it of the Flat Iron Building!)

The first set was not as full as I had hoped; more people obviously started at the other side of town at The Cluny. No matter, though,; despite it seeming that I was the only one in the room who had any idea who Kim was, she instantly had the audience in the palm of her hand, captivated by her songs, vocals, humour and down to earth nature.

Opening the set with the rocking Those Words we Said, Kim got herself and her guitar well warmed up. This was followed by Chinese Boxes, inspired by a quote in a Dan Fleming novel. I shall leave it a mystery. Telling us how, when she first lived in London, she and a friend used to take midnight walks around the city, she recalled one magical night when it was snowing, there was no one else out, just lights on in buildings, foxes exploring and just so much silence they felt like they owned the city. This set the scene perfectly for what I have no doubt is her finest song to date, Careful How You Go. Interestingly, I have always felt this has an ethereal, Gretchen Peters quality to it, then Gretchen chose to record it on her CD of Christmas music a few years ago.

The stunning Wreck Your Wheels followed, with perhaps one of the greatest opening lines to a song in recent years, then she confessed that the idea for the youtube video of fans sending in pictures of themselves with a word, came about as she wanted to be in it as little as possible. The result was a great video which everyone seems to enjoy. Incidentally, I was 'places.'

Just My Luck again showed that she can really rock then the song from the lesser known Kevin Costner film - I wonder if anyone has spotted it?! What is striking about Kim is that she exudes confidence but has a personality you warm to instantly; you can tell that what you see on stage is who and what she is. Explaining that it came about as she used to be shy about haring her feelings with people, she delivered a beautiful rendition of Hello Old Friend, her story giving it even more meaning. As she had recently played it at the Opry, she treated us to a stunning performance of Kris Kristofferson's Sunday Morning Coming Down, making it entirely her own. Please record it, Kim.

Provoking the age old competition when she commented how lovely it was to be back in Newcastle, a debate was started as to where Newcastle ended and Gateshead starts, which she took entirely in her stride, joking, "Well, I never liked Newcastle as much as Gateshead anyway!" The all too short set ended with I'm Alright, which has been covered recently by Kathy Mattea and Eve Selis. I think everyone can relate; ostensibly about a relationship, the key lyrics would actually apply to other things, too. Kim took her exit from the stage saying, "Goodnight, Gateshead," with a huge, conspiratorial smile that left everyone else in the room smiling too.

It was an unusual experience waiting for the second set as, unlike a break in a normal gig, I had no idea whether she would change the set or play the same songs, since the audience would be all, or largely, different. As it turned out, it was a bit of both, to a rather more full room. Again, very few appeared to know who she was but were mesmerised in moments.

This time, Kim opened the set with Every River Run Dry, which for long time Kim Richey fans, was a wonderful blast from the past. Again peppering her performances with anecdotes, she took us back to that snowy London night with a performance even more beautiful than the last, followed by Wreck Your Wheels. Then she mixed it up a bit with a great version of I Know, a great reminder in song that moving on from a relationship is always easier in theory than practice. The Circus Song, also known as Can't Let Go, came next, inspired by someone she knew with a circus tattoo. Opening the floor for requests, I was happy that she played mine, As Straight as the Crow Flies, one of my favourites from her earlier work. Kim then left us with a brand new song, a great version of the tongue in cheek Just my Luck and another rocking version of I'm Alright; before taking leave of the stage for the second time that night, promising to sign CDs for people and chat. I really can't work out why this lady isn't world renowned for her talents; maybe we are lucky that she is still a relative secret.

I really think this evening was the best I've seen and heard Kim Richey and really hope she doesn't leave it so long next time. Maybe when her new CD is released in early 2012 she will come back North and play us some of those songs. Until then, thanks for a great night, Kim, please Be Careful How You Go and come back to Gateshead As Straight as the Crow Flies, very soon!

Helen Mitchell