By Mark Salter
‘People can’t understand how we get this calibre of artist in Lowdham,’ announced promoter Mike Hoare when introducing Vonda Shepard, ‘but give a big hand because she is here.’
A throng of dedicated fans had joined the Warthog faithful to pack the Village Hall with many patiently queuing at the end for a chat with the star and a signature on album or piece of memorabilia.
A short but quaint set by singer-songwriter Michael Keithson preceded Shepard’s performance and beautifully set up the main event. Keithson shared a handful of songs on themes such as the city of Tokyo, handling mental health issues, and pieces of advice for his young daughter.
Shepard (singer, keyboardist, songwriter, and sometime actress) sang backing vocals for superstar, country- rocker, Jackson Browne, before rising to fame as resident musician in the Ally McBeal programme in the mid 1990s. With LP, Rookie, recently released, Shepard ran through new material as well as tracks spanning her entire career. Long standing backing musicians James Ralston (guitar) and Jim Hanson (bass) both exuded class, having respectively played with Tina Turner and Bruce Springsteen. The combo easily segued between country, soul, rock, gospel, jazz, and even Jo Stafford’s 1940s standard, You Belong To Me. As well as instrumentation, Ralston and Hanson contributing backing vocals..
Whether it was her own numbers like Baby Don’t You Break My Heart Slow, Serious Richard, and, Maryland, or covers, Walk Away Renee (The Four Tops), and Respect Yourself (The Staples Singers), the audience took every opportunity to sing and clap along. Gospel, Sweet Inspiration had Shepard at her most powerful and soulful before Searching My Soul brought the show to a close.
The rapturous audience demanded more and, after the briefest of interludes, Shepard returned. The encore was a mini-covers show of its own. The Exciter’s, Tell Him brought folks to their feet where they stayed for Proud Mary. Although originally a Credence Clearwater Revival track, Proud Mary was a regular feature in Tina Turner concerts and so gave Ralston a chance to take centre stage with a rousing guitar solo. I’m Hooked On A Feeling, and, I Only Want To Be With You completed a high octane conclusion to a stunning evening.
