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Julia Fordham

Venue: The Sage
Town: Gateshead
Date: 15/11/14
Website: http://juliafordham.com

I knew the name Julia Fordham and was familiar with a couple of her songs; the rest I had heard about as the subject of rave reviews. Unbeknown to me, a wonderful surprise and a musical revelation were in store, in equal measure.

This was the Porcelain 25 tour, said CD has been re recorded to commemorate 25 years since its release. She was accompanied by the producer of the original, on keys and a new band mate who had the most unusual story I've heard as to how he ended up playing drums for her. Both were exceptional musicians and complemented her subtly and brilliantly.

The whole of Porcelain 25 was performed live, which was a pleasure to experience. Highlights included Manhattan Skyline, Porcelain and Lock and Key.

The whole night was filled with banter, jokes, chat and fun, as Julia oozed enjoyment and her elation to be there with us, sharing music.

The most touching moment of the night came when she performed Where Does The Time Go? The whole time, the velvet red coat she wore on the original album cover had been on the stage, over a stand. As she wistfully sang this song, she approached the coat, and held the sleeve, as if holding hands with her younger self. So simple, yet such a beautiful way to invite the past to be briefly united with the present; her musical past with her musical present, The moment caught me in my tracks and reminded me of my favourite quote by a Southern author, Eudora Welty. " The memory is a living thing -- it too is in transit. But during its moment, all that is remembered joins, and lives -- the old and the young, the past and the present, the living and the dead."

The final part of the evening allowed for hits and requests; Julia was, it seemed, open to anything and delivered several which were called out for.

The night whizzed by in such blur of music and banter, we were doubtless all left wondering Where Does the Time Go? Hopefully quickly to her eagerly promised return.

Helen Mitchell