No introduction needed for Nanci
Review: Nanci Griffith, De La Warr Pavilion, Thursday, February 4
She needed no introduction, nor did she get one.
The "Queen of Folkabilly" walked on from the rear of the stage, took her place between lead guitarist and percussionist, strapped on her own guitar and smiled at the vast, knowledgeable crowd of devotees assembled in front of her.
Nanci Griffith was far from her native Texas but she was quickly made to feel at home.
To call in at little old Bexhill on the third leg of a world tour was surreal enough; to do so just three days after receiving a lifetime achievement award at the BBC was a huge bonus for the fans who had travelled many miles to see her perform live.
Tucked neatly inside a threequarter length frock coat, Nanci was every bit the woman in black, except for that sweet little face peering back appreciatively at the adoring hordes.
The legendary singer with the social agenda dipped into her own vast catalogue of songs written over the past half century with welcome emphasis on her new album, The Loving Kind. The title song about racial disharmony is destined to become another classic.
It's a Hard Life Wherever You Go was given a bouncy airing while her version of From a Distance remains a concert staple.
Nanci has never forgotten her roots and paid fulsome tribute to childhood hero Buddy Holly (Well, All Right) and 90-year-old Pete Seeger (If I Had a Hammer).
The intelligent 90-minute set was performed with charm and elegance, as audiences on three continents will discover before April is out.
On tour Nanci is giving a big break to East Yorkshire lass Edwina Hayes. The Bridlington folk singer and songwriter, now a full-time professional, totally engaged the audience with her half-hour opening set, laced with proud northern humour and the funniest story about Fox's glacier fruits you will ever hear.
Next time Edwina samples the sea air of Bexhill she, too, will be a major star.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Bexhill-on-Sea
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: -6 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Light sleet showers
Temperature: 2 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North west
