Artist:Chris de Burgh
Venue:The Sage
Town:Gateshead
Date:30/04/09
Website:http://www.cdeb.com
Well, fond memories of Chris de Burgh's Spark to a Flame album from my childhood (which back then was a cassette) was enough to convince me that the chance to finally see him perform live, and with a 30 piece Philharmonic orchestra, was just too good to miss. That said, I had that strange sensation that he would either be really good or really bad with no middle road. Luckily, he was better than I had even hoped. He has clearly aged well, both vocally - and physically. There was no opening act, so Chris took to the Stage with just his guitar and sang the title track from his new CD, Footsteps, with that same distinctive voice. As this is an album of covers, this is a fitting addition as it speaks of songs you have loved over the years; the songs which remind us of people and places from our past and I guess, which shape us.
He then thanked everyone for coming, congratulating us on it being a sold out show, joking that it made a change from when he started out when they'd be asked what time the gig was on and reply 'Well, what time are you going to be here?' and assuring us this was a recession free zone and there was no swine flu present. He then mentioned his new CD was on sale, stating it is only 8 months until Christmas; a very clever Segue into a great version of A Spaceman Came Travelling, which required the audience to sing the 'na na na na na na na nas.' Last Thing on My Mind was followed by American Pie, which of course everyone sang along with. No one is ever going to better Don McLean, but it was a good cover of an iconic song. He told us we'd all sung like angels and could now go home and tell everyone we'd sung at The Sage! A song I hadn't previously heard came in the form of In A Country Churchyard (Let Your Love Shine On) a very touching song about what we should leave behind for our children. One of the highlights for me came during this first part of the evening; a stunning version of Borderline, in which his voice encapsulated the emotion and regret of the person telling the story in the song. After the line I will never know how men can see the wisdom in a war, someone applauded and it spread like a Mexican Wave through the whole of Hall 1; a very powerful moment and testament that these lyrics are as relevant now as when they were first written.
Chris' electric guitarist joined him for the song's end; sliding in unnoticed until his accompaniment took that final chorus to a whole new place. The rest of the band joined the stage as Chris spoke of how the next song, Sailing Away, was inspired by both Dublin and Liverpool docklands and James Joyce's Portrait of An Artist as a Young Man. Somehow, knowing that, the song made sense in a way it never really had before. Chris encouraged the guitarist to step forward and play a guitar solo, which really added to the performance, which ended with the audience singing the final lines.
The band comprises a list of very talented musicians who have worked with everyone from Paul Carrack, Steve Balsamo (The Storys), Boy George and Alison Moyet to Bonnie Tyler, and of course, Chris de Burgh. David Levy plays bass, Tony Kiley drums, Al Vosper guitar and Nigel Hopkins adds keyboards.
On the cue of 'Go For it!' the band launched into Turn Turn Turn, the song made famous by The Byrds; the harmonies of all on stage, making it their own, somehow, whilst remaining true to the original.
Leather on My Shoes became one of the most poignant songs of the evening, after hearing it was written a few years ago during the Irish troubles; the imagery of 'Freedom Road' is very powerful. Backed by some awesome guitar work, giving it a Celtic sound, the final strum of the guitar accompanied by a drum beat, marked the end of the first half as Chris silently exited the stage.
His return, after a short break, was signalled by the 30 piece Heart of England Orchestra playing The Storyman (an amazing sight and sound in itself.) Shaking the conductor's hand, he and the band joined the orchestra as they began to play Missing You, Carry Me and Discovery, all of which were pure magic with such a powerful backing. I'm Not Crying Over You and The Long and Winding Road preceeded possibly the best cover of a song I've heard; Nilsson's Without You.
"There are lots of women in here wearing......blue." he teased, to announce his legendary song, Lady In Red. To hear this with a full orchestra was just stunning. As he sang, he jumped off the stage into the audience, shaking hands with people on the end rows (including me!), whilst searching for someone wearing red. The lady behind me was pulled into the aisle to dance, then he made his way around the room, throwing himself into the lap of another lady wearing red, much to the amusement of all present. This must surely have dispelled any remaining doubts in anyone's mind as to how down to earth this man is. It had to be worth the ticket price alone for those two women!
The evening ended with Chris getting everyone on their feet to sing, clap and dance, to Revolution, Say Goodbye to it All, High on Emotion, Spanish Train (as someone had been shouting for it all night) - he told us this was the song which taught him how to write story songs. These last few songs allowed both Chris and the band to rock out and to watch the orchestra rock with them was amazing. As the final song was sung, Chris walked around the band and the orchestra, cheekily playing their instruments and beckoning, which to me seemed to be his way of saying. "I know you can't get up on stage, but come with me and thank these people." He clearly sees the value in his connection with the audience. Everyone applauded with him, clearly appreciating the talents of all present. A final guitar riff and flash of the stage lights signalled the end of the show and Chris left the stage to a standing ovation.
He wasn't going to be allowed to leave without an encore and he returned to thanks everyone and to end with a song which he felt, was appropriately, about friends, The Snows of New York. Rather cleverly, I thought, the evening was then bookended, as is the CD, with another rendition of Footsteps, the song with which it had opened over two hours before. This seemed very fitting as a lot of the songs which he had sung would have taken the audience back to a place and time, as described in the song. A perfect ending to a wonderful night, as the past and present of artist and audience were brought together with the lyrics of a song. I have no doubt at all that, like me, all present left feeling 'high on emotion', feeling that they were 'sailing away', waiting for the 'footsteps' to announce the return of Chris de Burgh to the Sage, hopefully very soon.
Helen Mitchell
No comments:
Post a Comment