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Eddi Reader + Yvonne Lyon

Venue: The Sage
Town: Gateshead
Date: 18/4/14
Website: http://www.eddireader.co.uk

I recognised the name Yvonne Lyon but couldn't quite place why. Then I realised...last year, she was one of Beth Nielsen Chapman's songwriting workshop finalists, who got to perform with her on stage. I remembered being impressed by both her song and her voice and was excited to hear more from her.

Impress she did as she appeared on stage with a greeting of "Hello lovely people of Gateshed and beyond." She told us about her show with BNC, then took us through a selection of her songs, beginning with the beautiful Girl on the Flying Trapeze. Throughout her set, she played piano and her husband played the accordion, or 'box of joy,' as she charmingly called it, whilst displaying a great stage presence and banter. Songs such as Everything's Fine, The Boy with the Ocean in His Eyes led us into an audience sing along as she told us "My job is to warm you up so I'll need your help." Help we did, on a song, Tell it Like it Is, which brought to mind The protest songs of Janis Ian or Joan Baez. She then ended her fantastic set with the song she performed with BNC and it was as gorgeous as I remembered. Without a doubt, Yvonne Lyon is the best support act I have seen in a long while; I will certainly be looking up her CD releases and sincerely hope I will see her up this way again very soon!

Following an unexpected drama during the interval, in which not one but two drinks were spilled over the balcony, Eddi Reader took to the stage wearing a somewhat mad outfit, which only she could possibly carry off! it later emerged that the jacket was the housecoat of an elderly Aunt about whom one of the songs on Vagabond was written. I won't, however, spoil the story, as she tells it far better than I ever could!

She divulged how much she loves Gateshead and how to her, it could be Barcelona. Now there's a comparison I've not heard before!

Usually Eddi performs in Hall 1, tonight Hall 2 was a sell out and it was magical sharing a more intimate space with her as she welcomed us into her performance space, in her own inimitable way. More than ever it felt like she was a friend making music in our living room.

As usual, Eddi had the entire audience on the palm of her hands within seconds. She bantered back and forth, laughed, danced, and entertained with story after story of people, places, memories and moments.

Her band comprised the wonderful Boo Hewerdine, John Douglas, Alan Kelly and Roy Dodds, from back in her Fairground Attraction days. The band and she worked together on a completely instinctive and intuitive level, perfectly complementing each other, musically and vocally.

Eddi delivered song after song, beloved favourites and newer offerings from Vagabond. Hard as it is to choose, highlights from the evening included, Patience of Angels (which was, hands down, the best I have ever heard it,) Perfect, Dragonflies, Never Be The Same, The Moon is Mine and Charlie is My Darling, which as usual, prompted a great audience sing along. I love how effortlessly she switches her vocals from a ballad to uptempo, to a jazz number, whilst still hitting the high notes every time. Let's be honest, she could sing the Sage's gig listings and her voice would have everyone in the room captivated!

All too soon a wonderful night ended with two much deserved standing ovations; The Sage loves Eddi Reader. True to her word, she came out onto the concourse and signed, chatted, posed and laughed with all who waited for her. Watching her it is clear within seconds that what you see on stage is exactly what she is. Down to earth and completely lovely. Little wonder then, that people were willing her to return soon before she had even left the building. She assured us it wouldn't be long; until then we can practice demonstrating The Patience of Angels...

Helen Mitchell