A recent discovery in terms of music for me, and a great show for the Fire Station to score. I had not heard of Vonda Shepard, but after a little digging I soon realised just what a talent she is. This lady’s career is intimately entwined with the TV show Ally McBeal, which my late wife, Marie, used to love and we both watched it on TV regularly. This was really a great coup for the Fire Station to promote.
They announced the concert as: “Following the success of Vonda’s recent barnstorming UK tours which sold out venues across the country, Vonda will be returning to play a set of greatest hits and favourites from her many albums including her latest release, Red Light, Green Light with her full band.”
“Vonda first shot to fame through her long running appearances, performances, and musical accompaniment on the smash hit US TV show Ally McBeal. The theme song Searching My Soul reached the top 10 in the UK and Vonda released a series of Ally inspired albums which went on to sell a staggering 12 million copies worldwide. Including such favourites as Tell Him, Maryland, I Only Want To Be With You, Baby Don’t You Break My Heart Slow, Proud Mary, Walk Away Rene and You Belong To Me. This is one feel good evening filled with nostalgia not to miss!”
Vonda has said of her recent UK tours: “I had so much fun performing for my fans in the UK, it’s been a joy to reconnect with everyone and I can’t wait to come back and see everyone again”
“Vonda Shepard (born July 7, 1963) is an American singer, songwriter, music director, and actress. She is perhaps best known for her starring role as a fictionalized version of herself on the television series Ally McBeal (1997–2002), for which she recorded five soundtrack albums as well as the series’ theme song “Searchin’ My Soul”, which saw international commercial success.” (From Wikipedia) So I was actually seeing Ally McBeal in the flesh! It doesn’t get much better.
It was great to see another friend and ageing reporter there who clearly knew much more about Vonda and her career than I did. Shame on me. I was soon to find out how wonderful this lady is in performance. She looks great, has a lovely voice, and sat at a grand piano taking us through songs familiar and new (at least to me anyway). I was sitting at one side of the stage with a view to the back of Vonda. I asked if I could move across to the other side of the stage, which seemed to be unoccupied, and the kind Fire Station staff allowed me to do so.
A preshow pint of Guinness was called for. The concert was in two parts. To be honest I didn’t recognise many of the songs in the first half, other than the closer which was an excellent version of the Staple Singers “Respect Yourself”. A great song to start the interval and which enabled me to have my second drink of the evening. As usual, a double Jack Daniels (neat with ice) hit the spot just right.
The second set comprised many more gems which I recognised including wonderful versions of the Supremes “Someday We’ll Be Together”, the Four Tops “Walk Away Renée”, Betty Everett’s (and of course covered by Cher ) “It’s In His Kiss” and the closing song was one of my favourites, the punchy tune of Billie Davis’ “Tell Him”. By this point Vonda was up and dancing.
The encores were also magnificent choices: Dusty Springfield’s “I Only Want to Be with You” and Jo Stafford’s lovely “You Belong To Me”. A particular favourite of my friend. All of the above will probably have featured in Ally McBeal at some point. A magnificent performance by an equally magnificent songstress set in the fast-becoming heart of a vibrant music city, the Fire Station.
Great to connect with old friends and I promised to write a review for the Sunderland We’ar Shine A Light reporters network which I will do based on this blog entry. Many thanks to Jackie for providing the photographs and Chris for manipulating the site as always. Happy days.
Setlist: (something like this): Set 1: Maryland; The Wildest Times of the World; Shine Your Light; Dirty Laundry Line; Made of Rain; I Just Don’t Get It; I Know Better; To the Stars; Respect Yourself.
Set 2: Someday We’ll Be Together; Something About You; Someone You Use; The Sunset Marquis; Walk Away Renée; Another January; It’s in His Kiss; Hooked on a Feeling; Neighborhood; Baby, Don’t You Break My Heart Slow; Searchin’ My Soul; Tell Him.
Encore: I Only Want to Be With You; You Belong to Me.
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