Live
DIONNE WARWICK- LIVE @ FAIRFIELD HALL'S CROYDON 15/2/2008
The lights came up and the band started to play...the expectant crowd clapped with great enthusiasm and on came Dionne Warwick... At that point you may expect a revolving stage, a dozen mirror balls, a band inclusive of brass and wind instruments, a huge bank of lights and of course a smoke machine or two.
But the reality was 'O' so different... The great lady hobbled onto the Fairfield stage wincing (along with the crowd) with every step, as her face contorted you could tell her foot was causing immense pain. She wore leisure wear (track suit looking). As an audience member you'd be forgiven for thinking that Dionne was unaware there was an audience there, as she looked like she had turned up for a sound check. She started to talk in to the mic quietly as the crowd hung on every word. She apologized for her condition and sat down without any great vigor, letting the audience know she was in pain... But she added there would be a show to which they applauded. Then it happened...
Two idiots (her words) were talking in the wings while she was introducing herself and giving her public address... "Have you two finished. I said have you two finished?... As she gave an icy stare off to the side... They had defiantly finished. That's when the penny dropped that Dionne Warwick was in the house, multi Grammy winning, mega talented, voiced that influenced legions of artists Dionne Warwick was actually here. And as the crowd clapped, Dionne stood there like a Peacock displaying it's feathers for the very first time.
''Are you ready?"As the audience reply- Dionne doesn't launch in to song just yet (O no), she teases the audience once more by turning in to a narrator. As she did for the rest of the show interspersed with music. Telling the audience about her highs and lows and the in between times when she contemplated her future and decided which direction to move her career. While she narrated her life she introduced the audience to each song in chronological order, very apt considering the title of the tour is 'My Music And Me.'
Personal favorites included 'Don't Make Me Over','Any One Who Had A Heart,' and the stella hit 'Walk On By.' All were delivered and welcomed like the first day of spring. The first half closed in true Dionne fashion by 'I Say A Little Prayer For You' and 'Do You Know The Way To San Jose?' (of course, what else?)
Second half she changed in to red attire, with eye catching glittery black jacket. At last the aptly dressed star had arrived, but as the second half was only twenty or so minutes in length I couldn't help wonder why the two different themes.
I should give special mention to Dionne's backing in the shape of family members Felicia Moss Eaton (cousin) and Dee Dee Warwick (sister). Who dare I say because of the family connection, I felt gave them the inside track on providing perfect backing to some of the best songs ever written. I back that statement up with endorsement from the Grammy's as she sang first the Bee gee written 'Heartbreaker' and then mixed it effortlessly with the sumptuous Bacharach and David classic 'What The World Needs Now Is Love.'
There are many things in this world that you just know are meant to be, one of them is the voice of Dionne Warwick with the lyrics of Bacharach and David. Whether the song was written for Warwick like the timeless 'I'll never Love This Way Again,' and the natural choice for a show ending 'That's What Friends Are For' or not- As in 'Alfie' and 'The Look Of Love,' the justice Warwick gives a song is absolute. As nobody, but nobody does it the Warwick way. We'd just like a little less Korg (make of keyboard) and a bit more brass and string section, giving both artist and song the accompaniment and style they deserve. O And, if you could throw in a few sparkly extras!
Words LEE TYLER
