NOTTINGHAM - ROYAL CENTRE - 23.04.08
(Nottingham Evening Post - 24 April, 2008)
From golden oldies to a freshly penned lyric, Scots-born songstress Barbara Dickson and her 5-piece band were in masterly form. Her versatility, like her artistry, continues to delight.
Mindful of her folk roots, she served up honeyed versions of traditional airs: Lowlands of Holland, The Water is Wide and Dream Angus. There was also a haunting Corpus Christi Carol.
Vaughan Williams' The Sky Above The Roof (featured in Tony Palmer's film) extended this tradition one way, Archie Fisher's ballad Witch of the Westmerlands another.
Dickson's more modern offerings were charged with equal zest. She ranged from the Beatles to Dylan's The Times They Are A-Changing, given as a duet with keyboard player Nick Holland.
In an extract from the 1980s musical Chess, multi-instrumentalist Pete Zorn added vocals. A packed house was quick to acknowledge other 18-carat hits, such as Answer Me and Another Suitcase in Another Hall.
New to Dickson's repertoire was Carole King's Goin' Back ("thinking young and growing older is no sin") and James Taylor's Millworker proved a touching highlight.
The lighting and programme book were good value, too.
(Peter Palmer)
