Barbara Dickson Delights Newbury Audience with Celtic Charm

Scotland’s beloved singer-songwriter Barbara Dickson captivated a full house at the Corn Exchange in Newbury on September 14, delivering an enchanting performance that showcased her remarkable career spanning over five decades. Supported by fellow artist Anthony Toner, Dickson’s concert offered a blend of nostalgia and charm that resonated deeply with her audience.

Opening Act Sets the Tone

Anthony Toner, known for his gentle Irish wit and heartfelt songs, opened the evening with a six-song set that created a warm and inviting atmosphere. His performance included the poignant “Sailortown,” a love letter to Belfast, and “An Alphabet,” a reflective piece inspired by memories of his father, who is affected by Alzheimer’s. This connection to Alzheimer’s awareness is significant, as Barbara Dickson serves as an Ambassador for Nordoff-Robbins Scotland, highlighting the importance of this cause.

The chemistry between Toner and the audience set a perfect backdrop for Dickson’s performance. As she took the stage for the second half, accompanied by her regular pianist Nick Holland, the tone shifted to one of deep nostalgia. This acoustic set allowed Dickson to revisit her roots, performing several songs in a Scottish dialect that evoked memories of her early days on the folk circuit.

A Journey Through Music

With her signature mellifluous voice, Dickson performed a selection of covers, including “Living Too Close to the Ground,” originally by the Everly Brothers, and a captivating rendition of Bob Dylan’s “The Times They Are A-Changin’,” featuring two key changes and additional harmonies from Holland. She also showcased her own composition, “Where Shadows Meet the Light,” on her Roland keyboard.

The highlight of the evening was the moving performance of “Tell Me It’s Not True” from the stage musical Blood Brothers, which earned Dickson one of her two Olivier Awards. She also treated the audience to “Another Suitcase in Another Hall” from Evita, further emphasizing her impressive range, having charted four top-20 singles throughout her career.

Influenced by fellow Scottish musician Gerry Rafferty, Dickson included three of his songs in her set, concluding with “Family Tree,” a piece whose repeated lyric, “This is the time and place to bring out our memories,” perfectly encapsulated the evening’s sentiment.

To close out the memorable night, Anthony Toner returned to the stage for a duet on George Harrison’s “If I Needed Someone” and the popular “Caravans.” The collaboration highlighted the evening’s spirit of community and shared musical appreciation.

Fans left the concert buzzing with excitement, some even taking the opportunity to have their copies of Dickson’s updated autobiography signed. With her captivating performance and heartfelt connection to the audience, Barbara Dickson left an indelible mark on Newbury, leaving many eagerly anticipating her return.