What a beautiful theatre for two exquisite artists.
The support this evening was Katherine Priddy, an artist whose vocals suited the venue perfectly – quiet but delivering an emotive punch. Accompanied by George Boomsma on electric guitar and vocals, their voices blended beautifully. Katherine Priddy herself proved an expert guitar player from the first notes of this evening’s opening song, ‘A Boat on the River’, and her vocal key changes were seamless throughout. Her set continued with more beautiful harmonies in ‘Eurydice’, ‘Matches’ and the wonderful ‘Letters from a Travelling Man’. Katherine completed her set with a touching song about her father, ‘Father of Two’. The only regret is that, due to time constraints, we only got to hear five wonderfully crafted songs from an artist who undoubtedly deserves more recognition and appreciation, which the audience at the Bridgewater will certainly attest to.
When Suzanne Vega emerged from the New York folk scene in the 1980’s she rapidly rose to prominence for a world wide audience hungry for original talent. Some forty years later that original talent is on full display at the Bridgewater Hall.
The audience knew that they were in for a great show as Suzanne opened with the classic ’Marlene On the Wall’ and if there was any doubt that was quickly allayed by Ms Vega who assured her audience that the ‘old’ songs would be here. And she didn’t disappoint. Suzanne Vega has a timeless quality that makes every song a joyous experience. Her voice has the smooth quality of the her third song of the evening, ‘Caramel’ both relaxing and succulent.
Accompanied on stage by the exceptional Gerry Leonard on electric guitar and cellist Stephanie Winters the sound was wholesome and beautifully crisp. Suzanne Vega continued to delight her audience with ‘Small Blue Thing’, ‘Some Journey’ and ‘The Soldier and the Queen’. She regaled the audience with the story of her first love affair with a fellow camp counsellor in upstate New York- a love which lasted six weeks- and which inspired ‘Gypsy’ delivered with emotion and grace for a receptive audience.
Vega’s new material blended seamlessly with the classics. ‘Flying with Angels’ (which is also the moniker of the tour and the title of her latest album), is a heartwarming song about caregiving. ‘Speakers’ Corner’ which is a rare foray into politics deals with free speech which Vega introduced with a hint of irony. ‘Chambermaid’ was Vega’s homage to one of her inspirations Bob Dylan and in particular the Dylan classic ‘I want You’ for which she accepts she ‘stole the tune and second verse’ but with Bob Dylan’s good grace.
Vega continued with more ‘classics’ ‘Left of Centre’, ‘I Never Wear White’, ‘Luka’ and’Tom’s Diner’.
Returning for the encore Vega reminds us of her New York origins with a sublime reimagining of Lou Reed’s ‘Walk on the Wild Side’ and two more new songs ‘Love Thief’ and ‘The Galway Girl’ both of which are well received due to the fact that they are wonderfully crafted Suzanne Vega songs which could have come from anywhere in her forty years career, so timeless is Suzanne Vega’s talent and performance.
Word by Andrew Goodlad
Photos by Philip Goddard
