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Janis Ian and Tom Paxton - Together at Last

Venue: Sage
Town: Gateshead
Date: 23/03/14
Website: http://www.tompaxton.com
http://www.janisian.com

Two of America's greatest songwriters, who have been great friends since one was thirteen years old (and despite being a generation apart, chronologically, if not musically), have finally made the decision to tour the UK together, bringing with them folk sounds from their Greenwich days, alongside their political views.

When the tour was announced, Paxton promised us; 'It's going to be very different from what people might expect. It's not your generic split bill. We take the stage together and we stay onstage together most of the time, singing on one another's songs'. True to his word, the two took the stage together, and with the exception of three songs each alone on stage, the two remained, singing harmony for each other alongside duets. Indeed, the format was reminiscent of Wine, Women and Song, or a mini version of Transatlantic Sessions, both exuding sheer joy to be up their together doing what they love to do.

The depth of their friendship and mutual respect was evident as they were completely at ease with each other, and their fellow musician, the renowned Robin Bullock, who added a wonderful depth to the partnership with his multiple instruments.

Over the course of over two hours, jokes were cracked, banter was had with audience and stories shared. At times it felt like having a friend in your front room, so easily did the stories flow. I for one could have listened to them all night. Ian has such a matter of fact manner that she frequently had the audience in tears of laughter; her story about her wedding to partner Pat, has to be heard from her to be believed!

All of the songs we would have expected made an appearance; Tom delivered wonderful renditions of Bottle of Wine, Ramblin' Boy, The Last Thing on My Mind and the three rather touching songs he wrote for his two daughters, both as children and adults. Every girl's dream!

The two delivered a tongue in cheek performance of Ian's children's song about a mouse, not to mention an altered, place specific version of Sonny and Cher's Babe. Genius, really.

Janis wowed us all with Society's Child (which incredibly she had a hit with at just fifteen years old) Jesse, which saw her cause chills singing a Capella, the beautiful At Seventeen(I doubt there is a girl or woman on earth who doesn't relate) and the exquisite I'm Still Standing Here.I don't suppose many people have used the word hieroglyph in song and the line "See these marks on my skin, they're the lyric of my life," just gives me shivers. Gretchen Peters could have penned that and anyone who knows me will know that is the highest compliment I could ever give a writer.

At numerous times the audience were invited to join in, other times it happened spontaneously; every time they seemed delighted and several times Ian thanked us afterwards. She even told us that everyone should sing, regardless of whether they sound good or not, just for the sheer joy singing brings. As the whole room erupts in song with such revered artists, I am reminded what Sage represents and what it has come to mean to us all...the chance to not only see these incredible artists play live, but to be united with them through music that we all love. I wish there was a way to bottle those moments but the sheer magic of them surely engrains them in the memories of all present.

As the night drew to a close, all too soon, they thanked us and Sage again. Ian spoke of how lucky she considers herself, them both, to be doing what they do...she then moved me to tears as she confided that she thinks art and creativity stand between her and chaos - between all of us and chaos, especially when things go wrong in our lives. Speaking of songwriters and singers, she said she believes they are entrusted with the greatest gift at such times; to hold onto our thoughts, to keep our feelings safe, until we are ready to come back for them. That, she concluded, is the greatest privilege of her life. An observation which could only come from the lips of a songwriter. I have to agree with her sentiment as I know music, books and writing keep me sane amid the madness of life!

Following an encore and three standing ovations, the pair met everyone who wanted to say hello, out on the concourse. Judging from my own experience, they demonstrated another shared gift; making everyone they spoke to feel special and appreciated.

I think all present in Hall 1 will be hoping they weren't "together at last" for the last time and that this Rambling Boy and his musical partner will find their way back to Sage, Gateshead, very soon.

Helen Mitchell