Richard Dawson

To Parr Street Studios tonight to see the amazing Richard Dawson. One of our greatest contemporary songwriters, in my view.


Richard hails from Newcastle and his music draws on a range of influences - traditional folk song, experimental jazz, psychedelia and heavy metal, for starters - whilst always sounding entirely unique. He does unaccompanied singing and guitar shredding with equal passion and was playing tonight in ‘power trio’ form with excellent drummer Andrew and bassist John-Michael (from Geordie psych-metal band Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs). 

His previous album ‘Peasant’ won widespread critical acclaim and I see today that his current album ‘2020’ is number 51 in Mojo magazine’s Top 75 albums of the year. 

As he said tonight “‘Peasant’ is a metaphor for the present day. ‘2020’ is a metaphor for the pre-mediaeval. This next song from ‘Peasant’ is either about the NHS... or hobgoblins.”

‘2020’ is definitely a powerful ‘state of the nation’ album without ever being shouty or sloganeering. The song ‘Jogging’ has been on heavy rotation here at Booknerd Towers of late as I think it manages to be both beautiful and quietly devastating at the same time. The video complements it to great effect... I recommend it! www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGiQ_-Ktpvc 

And, speaking of recommendations, I linked to a ‘Voices of...’ programme in my previous Blip, and I’m going to recommend another one today. ‘The Voices of... Richard Dawson’ can be found at www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00075jj 

I’ve also just spotted a great review of Richard’s recent London show in today’s Guardian www.theguardian.com/music/2019/nov/23/richard-dawson-moth-club-hackney-review-2020?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other 


Tonight he was on equally excellent form, gently defusing a contretemps between audience members, and discoursing entertainingly on everything from RuPaul’s Drag Race UK and the history of crisps, to climate change and the upcoming election. He’ll be playing a hometown show in Newcastle on the night after the election and I suggest that everyone in the area tries to go along to share a moment of communal despair/unexpected joy!