City Hall review

Review: Lorraine Crosby, Newcastle City Hall

by Victoria Watson, Evening Chronicle

HER new album is called Mrs Loud and Lorraine Crosby did not fail to live up to her nickname at the City Hall.

The woman who is most famous for dueting with Meat Loaf had the audience in raptures with her two-hour set, which featured a choir from Heaton Manor School and a guest appearance from long-time friend Bonnie Tyler.

Crosby’s live band, featuring keyboard player Steve Wilson, were phenomenal as they performed tracks from the latest album, as well as a medley of Meat Loaf songs and a cover of the Beatles classic Help!

I have to say that my highlight of the night was seeing a choir of children from my former school accompany Crosby and Tyler, the kids were absolutely note-perfect and made Bonnie’s rendition of Total Eclipse of the Heart totally haunting (but in a beautiful way!).

Lorraine packed the show with exciting costume changes and great lighting. My only complaint was the technical difficulties that were experienced through the show.

Crosby paid tribute to the men who put her career into orbit, Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf. Having featured on I Would Do Anything For Love with the latter, Crosby has developed a cult following.

Local lass Lorraine seemed eternally grateful to the fans that packed out the City Hall to raise money for local charity Maggie’s Fund. This is a woman who has been in the industry for over 20 years and she is still proud of her heritage.

Ms Tyler joined Lorraine on stage for an encore and it was touching to see a genuine friendship between these two women.

Lorraine acknowledged, in typical candid fashion, that the reason the fans had been queuing outside for so long was that the soundcheck was delayed.

It may have been cold outside but her excellent vocal performance truly warmed everyone up.