CityLife

Barbara Dickson

BARBARA Dickson's nation-wide spring tour brought her to Manchester's Bridgewater Hall - a venue built to host symphonies - but she managed to make it her own.

I last saw the performer at the more intimate venue of Bolton's Albert Halls more than five years ago and her voice has lost none of the trademark purity that I remember.

Barbara performed a selection of music that met the expectations of the sell out audience in the large arena.

She began with an effortless rendition of George Harrison’s ‘If I Needed Someone’.

Barbara’s renditions of favourites such as ‘Answer Me’ and ‘I Know him so Well’ were met with rapturous applause.

Other songs of note included ‘Another Suitcase in Another Hall’ from Evita.

Enhanced

The performance was enhanced by a group of very competent accompanying musicians. Pete Zorn’s performance on acoustic guitar, saxophone and percussion was worthy of special mention.

Troy Donockley on acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and Irish bouzouki, Uileann pipes and wind instruments.

Russell Field played drums, cymbals, and a hand-held drum. Brad Lang had an assortment of double basses and a bass guitar and Nick Holland played the keyboard.

Barbara’s singing was flawless with her typical honest delivery showing great insight in whatever she performed.

She introduced each song, allowing a likeable personality to come through, which added to the enjoyment of the evening.

Despite the hard work, she found time at the end to change, put her hair up, put her glasses on and sign concert programmes in the foyer for her very satisfied fans.

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