In many ways the leading light for generations of singers since her rise to stardom with the songwriting team of Hal David & Burt Bacharach in the 1960’s, Dionne Warwick returned to Aotearoa for her One Last Time Tour, to an unanimously endearing audience.
Before Aretha, there was Dionne.
Bacharach & David’s numero uno, their go-to gal. She smashed down racial barriers and took contemporary vocals and performing to another level.
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame recipient 2024, Dionne Warwick is a living legend. Encapsulating a voice that is both at once unique and highly skilful, Warwick’s legacy of memorable chart hits, many of them stemming from the David/Bacharach tag team, have held up as timeless classics. Enough said, onto the music.
In support, the eloquently matched Georgia Lines played a delightful solo set, accompanying herself on keys (with occasional padded strings).
The space and sound mix of the Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre drew focus on Lines’ sweet/immaculate vocals. She lifted a selection of originals off last year’s debut record The Rose of Jericho, including the exquisite Grand Illusion, and closed with the Māori lullaby Hine E Hine, recalling TV2’s nostalgic Goodnight Kiwi theme.
The house lights were naughtily still on when her band took stage, but thankfully were dimmed just before Dionne Warwick entered the frame.
Commencing with that infamous groove, Walk On By, Warwick encouraged us all to relax, enjoy and get into the stream of the night.
Good call. She was to leave space for sing-alongs, which was to prove tricky later for waltz time.
Anyone Who Had a Heart stripped back with her four-strong band sounded incredible. Positioning herself mostly seated next to the piano, at 84 Warwick sang economically, but with grace, and targeted moments to let her vocals soar. She’s still got it.
The signature sound of David/Bacharach’s You’ll Never Get to Heaven (If You Break My Heart) rose shivers and tears around the theatre. The sound of music perfection.
Said David of Warwick, she was unafraid. She was just far and away the best interpreter we had.
The super laid-back flip This Girls in Love With You replete with pristine shaker literally floated by.
I Say a Little Prayer rearranged to half-time feel with heaped Latin content, extended out with showcase solos for each of the band members. A four knights’ game, in black tie getups.
Brooklyn pianist Andre ‘Chez’ Lewis played with expertise alongside Warwick, and MD’ed the night. Philly drummer Jeffrey Lewis feathered touches on his cymbals to the lightest degree, and his smile and gaze at Warwick said it all.
Out on his lonesome stage left, Las Vegas bassist Danny DeMorales played so dependably, no bribe could fell him. Suave Brazilian percussionist Renato Brasa had all the toys at his disposal. Congas, bongos, timbales, chimes. Maybe not a triangle, but everything else.
Warwick gave something extra for the last for you, extending her arms out to the room.
Another David/Bacharach staple Alfie spotlighted Warwick, lit in blue with a backdrop of stars. Lewis’ brushes blended the tune, and the atmosphere was just right.
Space within the sound was a key factor throughout the evening, conjuring up memories and imagination to a hefty dose.
Do You Know the Way To San Jose? Yet another vintage standard, was handled beautifully by Warwick, whose phrasing was on point with its twists and turns.
I must add as an aside that attending the concert with me was local singer Jennie Cruse, who had the rare honour of being invited onstage by Bacharach when he last toured here in 2015, to sit with him at his piano. She fittingly wore the same dress.
99 Miles from L.A. kept a driving pulse, fused by percussion and drums. It flew below the radar as the most grooving song of the eve.
Then we got that all-time classic What the World Needs Now Is Love. Warwick conducted the audience to sing the chorus unaccompanied. We lost our way. Well, it was 3/4 time, but we got there in the end.
Her biggest hit That’s What Friends Are For was alas to be the shows closer.
An anthem to finish, and a song of hope, minus colleagues Stevie Wonder, Elton John and Gladys Knight. Warwick stood tall to deliver with style and grace. A standing ovation was obligatory.
Seven decades in the biz, timeless music that lasts long, Dionne Warwick left to a rejuvenated audience. Maybe the only heartbreak was she didn’t sing Heartbreaker, the Robin Gibb penned doozy. Thank you, Dionne, for a legacy of golden music.
Dionne Warwick plays Christchurch tonight, for one last time.
Mike Beck
Photography by Leonie Moreland
Dionne Warwick
Gorgia Lines
Setlist
Walk On By
Anyone Who Had a Heart
You’ll Never Get to Heaven (If You Break My Heart)
I’ll Never Fall in Love Again
Message To Michael
This Girl’s in Love With You
I Say a Little Prayer
Alfie
Do You Know the Way To San Jose?
If I Want To
I’ll Never Lose This Way Again
99 Miles from L.A.
What The World Needs Now Is Love
That’s What Friends Are For
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