Dani Wilde made a welcome return to Sedgefield Rock and Blues club in support of her latest album.
Dani brought her fellow Brighton-based singer/songwriter Tabitha to open the show. Dani’s band backed Tabitha for part of her set. You would never have known it was the first time they had played together live.
Tabitha performed a great set featuring the likes of “Queen of Your Heart” and “Storm” from her new EP, Black Wave. She also gave a superb solo rendition of Led Zeppelin’s “Nobody’s Fault But Mine” and left the Sedgefield crowd raring to go for Dani Wilde.
Taking to the stage in a red dress and armed with her trusty Fender Telecaster, Dani opened her set with “Little By Little” from her debut album, Heal My Blues. She had the crowd singing along from the off.
Wilde gave the North East audience a taste of the heartfelt songs from her latest album, Songs About You, with acoustic ballads “Change Your Mind” and “Loving You.” She proceeded to show off her soulful side with the likes of Al Green’s “Take Me To The River” and “Green Onions” by Booker T and the MG’s, which were complete with soul claps and a sing-a-long with the audience.
Wilde dug deep into her back catalog with the likes of “Slow Coach” featuring some wonderful double bass, and “Abandoned Child” from Shine, which was inspired by her work in Africa. She then rocked her way through “Let Me Show You” and her take on the Bonnie Raitt number “Walk Out The Front Door,” which was featured on her last album, Juice Me Up.
Dani closed out her main set with a sublime rendition of “I’d Rather Go Blind” by Etta James, which Gary Moore had asked her to record. She wrapped with the superb “Mississippi Kisses” leaving the crowd wanting more. Only to happy to oblige, the band returned to the stage before drawing the evening to a close with “Red Blooded Woman.”
This was a great, well-balanced set from Dani and the band, which left the audience thoroughly entertained. Not only is Wilde a phenomenal guitarist, but she is a great performer; she kept the audience engaged throughout. We look forward to her next visit to the region.