SUZANNE VEGA Casa Alianza Benefit Concert,
Birmingham Town Hall July 12th
support Eddy Morton
I would like to thank everyone who helped with and supported the Suzanne Vega gig at Birmingham Town Hall, on Sunday 12th July. It definitely exceeded our expectations and apart from having such a great time we managed to raise £12,012.00 for 'Casa Alianza' a charity that helps street kids in South America.
www.casaalianza.org.uk
SUZANNE VEGA / EDDY MORTON CASA ALIANZA BENEFIT CONCERT BIRMINGHAM TOWN HALL

My first visit to the refurbished Town Hall and a visit for a great cause too. Casa Alianza is a charity for the street children of Nicaragua, Honduras & Mexico ( HYPERLINK "http://www.casa-alianza.org.uk" www.casa-alianza.org.uk), which Eddy Morton has supported for some 10 years or so, and the legendary Suzanne Vega was more than happy to headline the event. So, to Eddy himself, a performer I’ve seen many times either as part of a band, duo, or solo acoustic. Tonight, however, it’s an electric performance which I haven’t witnessed before, and a set-list full of surprises too. Opening with ‘Beautiful World’ and ‘Babes In Arms’, it’s obvious that Eddy has kind of tailored his set to suit the subject matter of the event, to make us go home with thoughts in our head as well as songs in our hearts. It’s an uplifting set, though, including ‘The Queen Of Stourbridge Town’ from his current ‘Stourbridge Town’ album, and ‘What It Is To Be Human’, yet to be properly recorded and easily my favourite of his repertoire. Just stunning. Donning a harmonica for last song ‘It’s Easy’, Eddy finishes with a ‘wang’ on the tremolo arm to a hall of applause (and a few cheers from Trina & the girls!), and does make it seem very easy indeed. After a (very) short interval, it’s time for Suzanne Vega, an artist I obviously remember from the mid to late 80’s, but, to be honest, have not followed since she fell off the commercial radar. But, the faithful were all there, so I thought ‘Go on then, impress me’. Opening with ‘Marlene On The Wall’, one of her best known tracks & biggest hits, and following with ‘Small Blue Thing’, another single from her debut album, I thought ‘brave’ and honestly expected the set to drag a little with unfamiliar songs of the same ilk. But, it was genuinely a set full of turns & surprises that saw Suzanne almost take on different personas & styles that were constantly interesting. Backed by electric bass & guitar (the latter with added effects & loops on a couple of tracks), Suzanne switches from acoustic to lead vocal depending on what is required of each track, the bassist & guitarist also leaving the stage at different intervals, giving the songs space when required. ‘Left Of Center’ is given just vocal & bass treatment & was a personal highlight. Ms. Vega has also recently contributed to a Sparklehorse/Dangermouse album with a track called ‘The Man Who Played God’, performed tonight & perfectly fitting in to the set, such is its diversity. It may have surprised some of her audience, but she did give her full approval to the DNA version of ‘Tom’s Diner’ all those years back. In fact, Suzanne performs that version tonight instead of her accapella original. There are also moments of ‘Cabaret’ style torch song which wouldn’t be out of place in a P.J. Harvey set. That’s how surprised I was, I never thought I’d be writing that. A thoroughly enjoyable night with two top class artists, all for a good cause in a great venue, and the sound was crystal clear too. Beat that. Bryan/KFFM.

EDDY, TRINA, SUZANNE VEGA and FRED SHORTLAND from Casa Alianza apres gig!!