In some ways this was another different type of gig to a normal Acoustic Sussex presentation, as was Shirley Collins a week or so previously, but not for the same reason. Because on this occasion, it was a very poor turnout. Put this down to the end of the holiday period? Or just the fact that the Johnny’s name may not have rang any bells with most people. I usually check out what I don’t know on the internet and when I did, that told me that both of these artists were very promising. 

Whatever the reason for the poor turn out it was a very entertaining evening because we had a real artist in Northumbrian Johnny Dickinson. But before the main event we were treated to a nice warmer by pretty Carrie Tree, a very competent singer/songwriter from the vibrant Brighton scene. Carrie, at first looked a little nervous as she wandered up to the mike and smiled at the audience without saying anything and let out a contented sigh, then, presented us with some very pleasant folk oriented songs, with at times, a slight jazzy feel. During the course of which she delivered the songs, sometimes with an innocent breathy sounding quality, sometimes with some very skilful vocal techniques, not least a deep powerful vibrato in her phrasing which developed an eerie but sweet powerful tone. I shall be following your future with interest, Carrie. Songs performed were: Early Morning Train Ride, Friend Of Mine, Misty Water, Never Said Goodbye, Hard To Leave. 

After a short interval, along came Johnny who may not at the moment be widely known, but at this rate he won’t remain long in this category. To quote from his reviews: ‘The Most Potent Slide Player in the UK‘ and ‘If this had been an edition of the “The Old Grey Whistle Test, broadcast on national TV, Dickinson would be a guitar hero by tea-time tomorrow‘. I can handle that because that’s how it was for us despite the poor audience figures. In some ways, it benefited us, because Johnny was able to relax and try out some different routines and he did so marvellously. He did a lot of requests and someone asked him to perform one of his old songs, which he admitted he hadn’t done for an awful long time and ran out of words during the song and had to be reminded before he could continue. But Hey! We didn’t mind in the least because he was so genuine. From Folk to Blues and Americana he charmed us with his incandescent bottleneck guitar playing which was not just full-on sound, but used space as well as sound to accentuate his virtuosity. Not only that, he was a really nice guy to talk to with no affectations in his manner. Salt of the Earth. I am a total convert. As if this wasn’t enough, his vocal tone was magnificent and to quote someone else “his lower register was reminiscent of Paul Rodgers and Lowell George”, two of my all time favourites. He even did a bit of “World Music” in the form of “The Japanese Improvisation” and when he mentioned Ali Farka Toure…well! Is there no end to this guy’s talent? 

And…finally to a standing ovation, he praised Carrie Tree for her excellent efforts and Paul Farrell for the excellent sound quality. See what you missed… I hope he comes back to us soon, firstly for those of you that missed it the first time round and secondly because he was just so damn good! Songs performed were: Into The Deep, The Beach Road, The Same Thing, A Fragment Of A Border Ballad, Mercury Blues, The Japanese Improvisation, Black Jack Davey, The Ocean Blues, Jock O’Hazeldene, Jamming Session, The Smuggler, The Diamond Ring, Still In Love With You, The Stray Way, She Moved Through The Fair, Bad Moon Rising. 

Johnny you’re welcome back anytime. Truly amazing! Howay The Lads.

Review courtesy of Bob Preece