Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10

There should be lessons in disarming and charming audiences to whom, quite understandably, sometimes don’t want to sit through the situation of being polite to an unknown and out of country support. After all, they will argue, you don’t pay to eat at the finest restaurant and bite into a fast food burger as you approach the table and sniff the wine cork. If lessons are to be had, to be instructed upon then Texas’ Jarrod Dickenson would surely top the list of people to don the lecturer’s outfit and smile beguilingly at the crowd gathered.

It is perhaps confidence, the charm, the unbelievable strength of character and a voice that holds the attention of an audience that makes this hugely enjoyable musician come forth to the stage and pulls the ability to listen comfortably, as well as the crowd’s affections, towards him. It is not a confidence that is misplaced or ill-judged, but it is also one that does not suffer the presumption of arrogance, for this Texas wonder is the sum of all its parts and to open the evening in Liverpool for Don McLean you must have a lot going for you, even before you step foot on the Philharmonic Hall stage.

If the audience and fans of an American legend were indeed chomping at the bit for their hero to appear, then for a while Jarrod Dickenson gave them food for thought, a folk Americana session which encompassed a wonderful mixture of Blues Country and yet felt as if it had been penned by someone closer to home; such was the respect shown to the artist that it could well be that Texas and Liverpool have far more in common than might have been otherwise thought of.

With just enough time to perform several songs before the main event, including Faint of Heart, Rosalie, Nothing More and the excellent Prefer To Lose, Mr. Dickenson teased the audience, both musically and with humour, to the point where searching out the merchandise desk and possibly missing the first part of Don McLean’s set was a considerable option. For those that did, they have the pleasure of hearing the silk voice again very soon, for those that didn’t, content surely, they must be to have heard such fine music performed.

A great introduction to the music of Jarrod Dickenson, a special treat before the main course is never an opportunity to miss.

Ian D. Hall