Johnny Dickinson
Johnny Dickinson
Posted: 22 Feb 2010
Review: Johnny Dickinson, Gateshead Old Town Hall, Friday 19th February 2010
For a quarter of a century now, The Jumpin’ Hot Club have brought authentic roots music to appreciative audiences across Tyneside. But while many of the performers cross the Atlantic to appear, tonight’s star attraction came direct from the Wansbeck Delta.
Johnny Dickinson’s guitar work had previously underpinned acts including The Hillbillies from Outer Space and Paul Lamb & the King Snakes. While his American contemporaries paid their dues in roadhouses, he learnt his craft at the likes of Newbiggin top Ship – no less valid an apprenticeship.
With more craft and credibility than a troopship full of Seasick Steve’s, a series of solo releases since 2002 have sealed his reputation as a player of rare ability, able to mix the traditional songs of his native Northumberland with authentic country blues.
Supported by Aussie exile and fellow acoustic slide guitar exponent Gypsy Dave Smith, Johnny took to the stage at Gateshead’s newly-restored Old Town Hall to perform a mixed set of instrumentals and vocal tracks.
The self styled “lowly folk player” also took requests and sprinkled his performance with anecdotes about his own musical journey, and those of the songwriters whose work he revived.
A stirring rendition of “You Got to Move” by Mississippi Fred McDowell was prefaced by Johnny professing amazement that the bluesman once appeared at Ashington’s Cellar Club. Meanwhile, a suitably sparse snatch of “Dark was the night, Cold was the ground” aka that moody tune from “Paris, Texas” made for easy – and fitting –comparisons with the great Ry Cooder.
In the artist’s own words, “This is roots music, gutsy, warts and all” but there were precious few blemishes. More power to his elbow – and abundantly talented fingers.
Mike Bolam
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