Hazel O Connor - Cornerstone Arts Centre, Didcot, 4/4/2014
by Nick Dent-Robinson
published: 3 / 5 / 2014
intro
Nick Dent-Robinson watches 80's star Hazel O'Connor play a stunning set of both her own material and covers at an intimate show at the the Cornerstone Arts Centre in Didcot in Oxfordshire
It may be more than three decades since Hazel O'Connor first burst into public consciousness as the star of the cult classic film ‘Breaking Glass’, but she has lost none of her allure as a live performer. From the moment she leapt on to the stage at the Cornerstone Arts Centre in Didcot, Oxfordshire, the sheer power and energy of Hazel's performance was incredible. She hit the audience with a succession of her own impressive, passionate compositions from the different eras of her long career. Plus there was a superb rendition of the Billie Holiday classic ‘God Bless the Child’, a Stranglers number and much more. Throughout Hazel was accompanied by the brilliant jazz saxophonist Clare Hirst (who used to support David Bowie) - Clare's delivery of the complex sax solo in ‘Will You’ was sublime - plus the Eurythmics’ keyboardist, Sarah Fisher, whose virtuosity is equally impressive. Both Clare and Sarah contributed very competent backing vocals too. It was a truly memorable evening. Hazel somehow combines a hugely energetic, powerful performance with a natural elegance and grace. There's an unassuming honesty about her and there were moments of real poignancy which you could sense her audience were feeling. Clearly Hazel relishes live performance and appreciates the very genuine and warm response she elicits from all who see her. It was good that Hazel - and Sarah and Clare - took the time after the event to chat at length to fans. Which often just doesn't happen even at small and intimate venues. Definitely a performance to see if Hazel's current ‘Here She Comes’ tour is heading in your direction! See www.hazeloconnor.com for tour details.
Article Links:-
http://www.hazeloconnor.comBand Links:-
http://www.hazeloconnor.comhttps://www.facebook.com/HazelOConnorOfficial/
https://twitter.com/Hazel_OConnor
Picture Gallery:-
interviews |
Interview (2019) |
Nick Dent-Robinson talks to iconic 80's singer-songwriter Hazel O' Connor about her groundbreaking debut album 'Breaking Glass', current tour and new record 'Hallelujah Moments'. |
Interview (2014) |
Interview (2013) |
profiles |
Breaking Glass (2012) |
Tom Fogarty enjoys 1980 cynical cult film ‘Breaking Glass’, which starring Hazel O’Connor and about a punk band's rise to fame, has just been re-released in a collector’s edition on DVD |
live reviews |
Rescue Rooms, Nottingham, 30/10/2012 |
Dave Goodwin watches 80's icon Hazel O' Connor play an enthralling set at the Rescue Rooms in Nottingham |
favourite album |
Cover Plus (2017) |
In our 'Re: View' section, in which we look back at albums from the past, Dave Goodwin examines 'Breaking Glass' legend Hazel O'Connor's 1981 third album 'Cover Plus' which includes various other incarnations of the originals. |
features |
Hazel O' Connor (2013) |
Singer-songwriter and 80's icon Hazel O'Connor talks to Dave Goodwin in the second instalment of his new 'Vinyl Stories' column about some of her favourite vinyl singles and records |
most viewed articles
current edition
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.Dennis Tufano - Copernicus Center, Chicago, 19/7/2024
Elliott Murphy - Interview
Wreckless Eric - Interview
Adrian Gurvitz - Interview
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #16: Living in the Minds of Strangers
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #17: Tom Robinson
Norman Rodger - Interview
Chris Spedding - Interview
Penumbra - Interview
previous editions
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EPIn Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #5 - ‘We all have good intentions/ But all with strings attached’: Music and Mental Health Part 2
Trudie Myerscough-Harris - Interview
Allan Clarke - Interview
Dwina Gibb - Interview
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Beautiful South - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Madeline Bell - Interview
Jimmy Nail - Interview
Sound - Interview with Bi Marshall Part 1
most viewed reviews
current edition
Groovy Uncle - Making ExcusesBill Wyman - Drive My Car
Hawkestrel - Chaos Rocks
Philip Parfitt - The Dark Light
Ross Couper Band - The Homeroad
Deep Purple - =1
Jules Winchester - The Journey
Popstar - Obscene
Splashgirl and Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe - More Human
John Murry and Michael Timmins - A Little Bit of Grace and Decay
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart