Emily Maguire and Christian Dunham @ The Cluny 2, Newcastle
25th November 2010
Support for the evening, came, rather excessively in my view, in the form of two acts. The first was local singer songwriter Anna Leigh, who, backed by two talented musicians, played a selection of original material, such as Addiction and Storybook and a couple of covers; my favourite being Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door, which she made entirely her own. She has a pleasant voice, confident stage manner and certainly is one of the better local acts I have seen perform recently.
The second act is the one whose inclusion baffled me slightly. The Restaurant, another local band, have a style which I can’t even define, truth be told. It didn’t fit the evening and by a couple of songs into their set, I think many were struggling to pay attention, as it was already pushing 9pm, the heating in the venue was off so we were all sat with our coats still on, the snow was getting heavier outside and we were eager to see the main act. This was a shame, as actually they had a great sound, which in the right place would be both entertaining and couldn’t fail to create a good atmosphere.
Eventually, Emily, with partner and bassist, Christian Dunham, took to the stage, Emily looking quite glamorous in a long black sparkly dress, Christian immediately quipping that it was ‘tropical,’ whicgh immediately thawed the cold a little as Emily launched straight into Free, the opening song from her newest CD, Believer. Immediately I was reminded how stunning Emily’s voice is when she performs live.
As Emily coaxed her guitar to tune despite the temperature, or lack therof, Christian bantered about people they had seen that day (as they drove up the A1 in a blizzard) wearing just t-shirts, whilst he had on so many layers he looked like ‘Paddington with dreadlocks.’ There’ s an image. Christian, like Emily, is someone you just can’t help but warm to; you can tell immediately that they are both very genuine people.
Guitar back onside, Emily told us about The Isle of Purbeck, the one place she missed when she went to Australia, and the inspiration for the next song, the beautiful Someday. This was followed by Stranger Place from her first CD, before she took to the keyboard for the aching Wanting Time. Who hasn’t felt the emotions in this song? Keep Walking, followed, her first Radio 2 single, then the moving Back Home. Moving back to the keyboard, she played ‘a modern take on an old story’, a fabulous as yet unreleased song about Romeo and Juliet. Talk about clever lyrics! Another unreleased song followed, which I had heard before but actually forgotten about, Golden and Gorgeous, which tells the story of two people who want to be just as the title suggests. Watching Enmily and Christian play, it is clear how intuitively they work together; Christian’s hand moving up and down that bass so fast it’s like watching a speeding train.
A moment of musical heaven followed, as, talking about her most recent Radio 2 single, she mentioned their lack of a drummer, deciding to play I’d Rather Be in its original form at the keyboard. It was amazing to hear it as it began and I had to wonder if it was wrong to prefer that version to the final edit.
Bringing her set to a close, Emily told us that the following song was the story of her life in three and a half minutes, as well as the title to her newly released book, but I’ll come to that. Of course that song was Start Over Again, a song which cannot fail to move. An exquisite set, the only complaint I have is it was too short! I think all of us present could have listened to Emily sing all night.
I first saw Emily at a House Concert in 2007. Since then I have seen her open for Eric Bibb and Roddy Frame at The Sage, Don MacLean at The City Hall and most recently was The Cluny 2 last September. Every single time I have seen her it is like watching a child flourish as she grows into her music and in many ways, herself. As I mentioned earlier, she has just released a book called Start Over Again and on it’s release date, World Mental Health Day, she divulged on Radio 2 that she has Bipolar disorder. In many ways a very brave decision, but I have no doubt it was the right one. For one, it surely gives her listeners a whole new understanding of where some of her lyrics came from as well as them being able to see her for who she really is. An amazing as well as very talented person, who demonstrated at The Cluny 2 that sharing her secret has given her a whole new freedom and confidence to connect onstage with her songs and her audience. Not to mention the unmistakable sparkle in her eyes as she sings.
So far hers has been an amazing journey but I can’t help but feel that actually, this is only the beginning. It has to be said that I’d Rather be a fan of Emily’s music and find out what’s next, than have missed out on knowing her music.
For more information about Emily Maguire, her music and her book, please visit www.emilymaguire.com
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