Hazel O'Connor/Dan Gordon

Mr Kyps, Poole

It’s Friday,it’s still freezing and it’s a trip down memory lane for those of us who have nearly filled Mr. Kyps tonight. For our entertainment is none other than 80’s singer/songwriter/actress Hazel O’connor.

Opening for Hazel is a confident young local named Dan Gordon, ably assisted by Ant Lewis though Dan thinks he’s actually someone elese!!. He opens with the Eagle Eye Cherry song “Save Tonight” which is well received. Dan is a more than confident in describing song origins and gets a good cheer after anouncing “F*ck The Banks” as his next song-explaining it as written about a personal experience. “Control” comes next before the truly heartfelt and personal “Franco” which was written in a collaboration with his young daughter. His vocals reach a certain high here which is not unpleasant but on his next choice of cover I feel this crowd might be divided. To take on Black Sabbath’s “Paranoid” in quite the way he does is ambitious-stripping it bare and making it dare I say Soulful takes balls, but he gets away with it, just! “Drunk In Charge” again is an ode to an unnamed friend’s “error” but “Single Working Man” is a highlight in an altogether confident set. It’s just a shame so many people in the room feel the need to talk above his vocals. The man has undoubted talent that should be heard not ignored. He leaves us with “Alone” and exits the stage to decent applause.

Dan Gordon 1

For this reviewer seeing Hazel O’connor live this is a first. There’s no drums, bass, guitars etc, this is Hazel stripped back. Accompanied by Clare Hirst (sax), and Sarah Fisher (keys) this is Hazel in a new form. With the re-issue of Breaking Glass recently it’s no surprise that interest is high on this tour-just looking around me this room is now near capacity. Hazel opens with the excellent “Writing On The Wall” which she confidently delivers while dancing freely. “Runaway” follows before the heartfelt “If Only” which she delivers with real emotion.

Hazel O’Connor 1–2–3–4–5

The highlights from the Breaking Glass soundtrack keep coming with the quite excellent “Blackman” which a few of us sing along to. Still smiling Hazel announces that we are going to get a ‘Swing’ version of “Decadent Days”! It kinda works but for this reviewer the original would have been better. Despite this one cannot criticise Hazel’s voice which is as good as ever. The chemistry between the 3 ladies is what makes it complete as the three of them swap glances/smiles throughout. “Eighth Day” is great but when we hear the opening verse of “Will You” we all sing along. This is bettered only by Clare’s brilliant sax solo which is note perfect. First cover of the set is the Stranglers “Hanging Around” and it wont be her last! She returns to the soft and mellow with “Acoustically Yours” and “I’ll Give You My Sunshine” before another well known and well received cover, Snow Patrol’s “Chasing Cars”. Cue another singalong before the equally impressive take on a song recently made popular by Muse “Feeling Good”. With the heat rising she ends with the rather apt “Still Breathing”; says goodbye, only to return with “Will You” once more. A 90 minute set of pure indulgence is rewarded with long, loud applause from this appreciative audience. One feels this won’t be the last we see of Hazel O’connor.

Set-List
Hazel O’Connor
Writing On The Wall
Runaway
If Only
Blackman
Decadent Days
My Friend Jack
Eighth Day
Will You?
Hanging Around (The Stranglers)
Acoustically Yours
I’ll Give You My Sunshine
Chasing Cars (Snow Patrol)
Feeling Good
Still Breathing
Will You?