Alison Moyet / Alex Cornish

Many of the gigs I have attended this year, have had some really good support acts, tonight's opening act Alex Cornish continues that streak. Armed with a twelve string acoustic and pianist sat behind piano the sound is genteel and very relaxing.



The sold out auditorium where taken in by Cornish's sounds and his charming stories to his songs. His version of 'Sweet Child O Mine' was truly beautiful and gave the song a totally different angle.

Alison Moyet makes her appearance and I was taken aback at just how stunningly beautiful she looks. Her new slim line svelte figure, adorned in a clingy long black dress, made her look a real diva.

Alison's backing band for this tour consists of a grand piano, double bass, acoustic guitar and a drummer. This made for some very interesting reworking of her songs. Yazoo's hits get an airing early on which I enjoyed. 'Only You' backed by just a grand piano and her powerful solid voice was sheer delight and sounded so fresh. Don't Go' was a little more upbeat, with a minority of the audience actually standing to dance.



Alison has a good rapport with her fans, stopping a song to chat to a heckler who in fine Grimbarian accent shouted "Have a chat with us Alison!!!" Someone else shouts "You look fantastic!!" Alison then has a little chat with the audience which brings a smile to her face. There is no drama with Alison Moyet, what you see is truly what you get and that is a good honest performance. 'Old Devil Called Love' and 'Love Letters' again allow Alison's voice to shine through. 'Is This Love' is another song stripped back with Alison giggling during the chorus such is her laid back style.

The lighting for Alison's show is very theatrical and simple and looked clinically clean and faultless. 'All Cried Out' is performed with a basic piano and guitar backing letting Alison's voice being the centre piece. My fellow gig goer was disappointed with the reworking of the songs as she was hoping to have a dance about to the more poppy tunes, but this wasn't going to happen tonight. Myself I was mesmerised by Alison's voice and her beauty.

In next to no time it was the end of the first act, with the crowd stamping their feet demanding more. Alison reappears and tells us "There are two more songs left then you can make your way home..." with a giggle!!!



'Ne Me Quitte Pas' allows Alison to show off her French linguistic skills which are delightful to listen to, she then tells us the song is about death, death, death and more death, again with that infectious giggle.

This was a powerful performance by Alison and her band. The reworking of the songs I truly enjoyed but may not be to other people's taste. If you fancy a dance and a boogie then this may not be the show for you, however if you want to see and hear one of England's best female singers in action, then you will not be disappointed.

Set list:
Footsteps
One More Time
Fire
All Cried Out
Love Ressurection
Windmills Of Your Mind
Find Me
Ordinary Girl
Ode To Boy
Hoo Doo
Only You
This House
Don't Go
Love Letters
That Old Devil Called Love
Dorothy
Is This Love
Should I Feel That It's Over
It Won't Be Long
Weak In The Presence Of Beauty
You Don't Have To Go

Encore:
Ne Me Quitte Pas
Whispering Your Name

FUTURE GIGS