It’s the opening night of Cheltenham’s annual Jazz Festival and the miserable weather does not dampen spirits of the crowd pouring into the Big Top for soul legend, Dionne Warwick.
The festival runs for 6 days each May at various venues across the town with a mix of free and paid for events. The Big Top is a 2,200 capacity tent which hosts the biggest names on the bill and this year that includes the likes of Jack Savoretti, The Brand New Heavies, Morcheeba, Jordan Rakei, Gregory Porter, Robert Plant and Sophie Ellis-Bextor.
Dionne Warwick’s set is the first one of the festival and also marks the start of her UK tour. There is a genuine sense of excitement about seeing such an important musical icon in the town and it is an undeniably impressive booking for the event.
The 60’s star arrives on stage perfectly on time at 9pm – something which seems to catch some audience members out as they shuffle into their seats during the opening of “Walk On By”. Being able to open with a song so universally known and loved really is testament to the strength of Warwick’s discography. Most singers would be thrilled to have that as their finale but it’s just one of a plethora of bonafide mega hits which make up tonight’s setlist.
At 83 years old, Dionne’s voice is not what it once was and it does take some warming up tonight. For the first few songs, it feels like there is a risk of it giving away entirely. It’s quiet, raspy and inconsistent but always warm and charming. By the time she reaches the set highlight, “I’ll Never Love This Way Again”, she proves there is still belting power left.
The term ‘jazz’ is sometimes applied loosely at the festival but, backed by a simple three-piece band and sat on a stool with one hand leaning on the piano, Dionne’s performance fits the bill perfectly. The music is under-stated yet playful with bossa nova elements and jazz riffs throughout.
The crowd quietly singalong to “Anyone Who Had A Heart”, Alfie” and “Do You Know the Way to San Jose?” It’s a hushed choir appearing conscious of not drowning out the singer’s understated vocals. Perhaps it’s for the best as Dionne has to reprimand the room for messing up an audience participation moment in “What The World Needs Now Is Love”.
Dionne is joined by her son, David, for a duet of “I Say A Little Prayer” (it’s often forgotten that Burt Bacharach wrote this song specifically for Dionne and her version pre-dates Aretha Franklin’s arguably more famous rendition). Arguably, this nepotism-based section drags on a little longer than necessary and is a bit too sickly for this writer but appears to go down well in the tent.
What becomes abundantly clear throughout the set is Dionne’s love for performing. Permanently smiling and looking like the most relaxed person in the room, it is no surprise that she is still doing this 60 years on. If you think this is a farewell tour then think again as she tell us “next time I’m over, I’ll bring my grand-daughter with me”.
Whilst her vocal on set-closer “That’s What Friends Are For” is more fragile than on record, it brings an added gravitas to the song. There’s a unanimous standing ovation and thunderous applause as the heroine departs the stage 15 minutes earlier than scheduled.
Her highest-charting single in the UK -1982’s “Heartbreaker” – is absent from the setlist but is played over the PA as satisfied attendees begin to exit the venue. You can overhear complimentary conversations from people thrilled to have been given the opportunity to see one of the all-time greats singing some of the best songs ever written in such an intimate setting. It’s a superb start to Cheltenham Jazz Festival.
