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An Evening with Barbara Dickson

Venue: The Sage
Town: Gateshead
Date: 26/10/13
Website: http://www.barbaradickson.net/

After what has been her longest absence in recent years, Barbara Dickson returned to Hall 1 at The Sage, after more than three and a half years away.

During that hiatus, a performance on Celtic Connections sparked a recording project of songs by her friend, the late Gerry Rafferty and Where I Belong, from that CD opened the show. The band then joined her for a stunning performance, with lovely harmonies, of another well known Rafferty hit, Family Tree. The lyrics about shining and making memories seemed very apt for the start of what was sure to be a very special evening.

Talking a little about the project, called, Bring it All Home, the songs of Gerry Rafferty, Barabara then announced that those who knew her older repertoire may just know the next one. An air of expectation filled the room, which was rewarded with a flawless delivery of Another Suitcase in Another Hall, leaving us in no doubt that her voice is absolutely still as pure as it ever was. Joking that the next song came from the stone ages and is about as far removed as she could get from who and what she is now, she launched into her first ever hit, from 37 years ago, Answer Me. It really was like going back in tine. Wonderful.

Two songs about the consequences of war and desire for peace, followed. The Soldier's Wife, by Brecht never fails to move and Across the Hills follows it well. The latter was written by Ian Campbell, father of the Campbell brothers in UB40. Together the songs weaved a story with an idea and left me wondering if there will ever come a time when artists sing of war as a historical, rather than a social commentary.

Picking up her guitar, Barbara spoke of the Beatles CD they recorded, as they moved into a rocking version of Every Little Thing, followed by the Rafferty song his daughter Martha originally asked her to sing, Wise as a Serpent. Together, Barbara and the band created an almost eerie sound throughout the song.

As the band left the stage, Barbara told us a little about the traditional Scottish folk song that was to follow. I am not, I will admit, a big fan of the stories of these songs, but her delivery was just beautiful. It is lovely to hear her go back to her original folk roots, where she began all those years ago. Indeed, it is strange to think that before I was even born, she was playing this area (in fact a pub right near where I live, as well as the old Guildhall not far from where we sat) as part of the 1970s folk circuit. I wonder if back then she even imagined we'd have somewhere like the Sage or that time after time, she'd be selling out Hall 1?

Following a short interval, we returned, hoping for a longer second set, which we got. She and the band took their places on stage to the opening sounds of Baker St, a signal of which song was to come. I love that they covered it (Barbara admitted she initially shied away until Troy Donochly decided they were recording it Describing her feelings, I suspect it may have been the first time the word 'trepidatious' was used on that stage!) Knowing she and Rafferty were friends, led me to suspect he was somewhere in that room, smiling that he was being remembered and celebrated. Is there a better legacy anyone can leave than music that carries on long after them?

My personal highlight of the night followed; two songs from the musical Blood Brothers. Blending together Easy Terms and Tell Me It's Not True, the audience hung on her every word. Between Barbara and the band, they were delivered as well as I've ever heard in the show (16 times and counting...) If I closed my eyes I could picture her in character, in the scenes. In fact, when she sings those songs something magical happens. A look crosses her face and for those few minutes, she is back in role, she is Mrs/ Johnstone again, the role she first created, all those years ago, in London. Barbara told us she no longer warns an audience that Tell Me It's Not True is coming as she can't handle the sobbing that builds up! It is actually amazing how they work as stand alone songs.

As they eased into Over My Head, Troy somehow managed to knock his stool over as he set up his pipes. We knew no more until we heard a crash, followed by a 'Bloody Hell' from the member of Sage staff, as he tried to untangle the ensuing chaos. We were all crying with laughter; how Barbara kept a straight face, I will never know.

If I needed Somoene was followed by The Sky Above the Roof, originally a French poem. Another highlight followed in the form of Caravans, which was given the most beautiful musical introduction by the band.

Reminiscent of the Keane cover we were once surprised with, an intriguing version of Lost in Dream, impressed everyone. She made it totally her own, yet it absolutely worked.

Finally she introduced us to her wonderful band who throughout the show had shown themselves to be incredibly talented musicians. Asking us to thank them with her, it was clear she meant every word she said when she spoke of how wonderful it is to be back on the road with them. Those musucians are; Nick Holland on keys and vocals, Russell Field on drums (one of best drummers I have seen) Brad Lang on bass and of course, Troy Donochly on, among others, whistles, the beautiful Ilean Pipes and, as Barbara added, in reference to the earlier mishap, collapsing stools.

Watching them together, it is evident that she and the band think the world of each other and that they work together very intuitively.

The set was closed with The Ark, which she had us sing along with. It seemed apt somehow, with the line, All stangers are known. I often wonder if there is a better moment in alive show than when artist and audience sing together, joined as one by the music.

Thanking us for coming, as "without you it would just be a dress rehearsal," she seemed very genuinely touched that again so many people had come out to share a night of music with her.

An enormous applause followed and it was clear she was not leaving without an encore. I had hoped for I Know Him so Well, Millworker, Across the Universe or Palm Sunday; maybe next time. Instead we got a song about mining, which whilst I wouldn't have picked as an encore song, seems befitting of the area. The final song of the night, was a haunting version of Eriskay Love Song, before she thanked us again and finally left the stage.

True to her word, she came out to sign anything anyone asked her to, pose for pictures with people, and it seemed, say a very genuine hello and thankyou to her fans. A wonderful artist and a genuine, lovely person, what more could we ask for? Well, maybe that she doesn't leave it so long next time...don't think twice, Barbara, we'll be here if you will!

Helen Mitchell