Barbara Dickson Enchants Newbury Audience with Timeless Performance

Scotland’s leading female singer, Barbara Dickson, captivated a full house at the Corn Exchange in Newbury on September 14, 2023, during her first performance at the venue in a career that has spanned over five decades. Supported by Irish singer-songwriter Anthony Toner, Dickson delivered an evening filled with heartfelt music and nostalgia.

Atmosphere Set by Anthony Toner

Toner opened the show with a six-song set that showcased his gentle Irish wit and original compositions. His heartfelt tracks, including “Sailortown,” a tribute to Belfast, and “An Alphabet,” a poignant reflection on memories of his father, who suffers from Alzheimer’s, resonated deeply with the audience. This connection was particularly meaningful, as Dickson serves as an ambassador for Alzheimer’s awareness with Nordoff-Robbins Scotland.

The atmosphere established by Toner’s warm performance set the stage for Dickson’s highly anticipated appearance. Accompanied by her longtime pianist, Nick Holland, Dickson launched into the second half of the evening, taking the audience on a nostalgic journey through her early days on the folk club circuit in Scotland.

A Journey Through Music and Memories

With a stripped-back acoustic set, Dickson performed several songs in a Scottish dialect, evoking memories from her early career. She showcased her iconic voice with covers such as “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 harmonies from Holland.

In addition to her covers, Dickson presented her own work, including “Where Shadows Meet the Light,” played on her Roland keyboard. The evening also featured “Tell Me It’s Not True” from the musical Blood Brothers, which earned her one of two Olivier awards, and “Another Suitcase in Another Hall” from the acclaimed musical Evita.

Reflecting on her Scottish roots, Dickson paid tribute to her friend and fellow musician Gerry Rafferty by performing three of his songs. The performance concluded with “Family Tree,” a track that encapsulated the evening’s themes of memory and connection with its lyric, “This is the time and place to bring out our memories.”

Toner returned to the stage to join Dickson for a duet of George Harrison‘s “If I Needed Someone” and the popular “Caravans,” bringing the evening to a celebratory close. The audience left on a high note, many looking forward to Dickson’s updated autobiography, which she graciously signed for attendees.

As the lights dimmed, it was evident that Barbara Dickson had not only entertained but also created a memorable experience, one that left the audience eager for her return to Newbury.