The Camembert of cabaret

DIONNE Warwick enjoys a prestigious reputation in the classic pop/soul arena, but there was evidence at the NCH on Tuesday night that what was once sparkling has faded somewhat.

This was highly-professional supper club music. Cheesy? Yes, but this was truly the Camembert of cabaret - smoothly textured, slightly sticky, and impervious to trends.

Backed by a 10-piece band that included her sister and cousin on backing vocals, Dionne began the concert with a credible, sturdy medley of her best-known songs. Ordinarily, songs over 30 years old show their age, but Dionne's greatest hits still sounded fresh and fragrant.

So many songs, so little time, yet the likes of Walk On By, Do You Know The Way To San Jose?, Anyone Who Had A Heart, You'll Never Get To Heaven (If You Break My Heart), and I Say A Little Prayer, passed by in a tender moment. It was all downhill after these, unfortunately.

Dionne's foray into Brazilian territory came across as ersatz cocktail music, while her attempts at cajoling the audience (which had not been exactly rooted to the spot anyway) into participating in the cod funk of 10,000 Words was embarrassing.

Ultimately there was plenty of style and stagecraft, yet little soul, and no dynamics whatsoever. And therein lies the rub - just how do you pace an easy listening set?

Very slowly, in this instance.