Multi-million selling recording artist, Barbara Dickson OBE, is returning the island where her soulful voice will delight fans in the capital’s jewel - the Gaiety Theatre. Reporter Jess Ward speaks to the artist.

This will be the first time that the Scottish singer and Olivier Award winning actor will perform in the Victorian venue, having performed at Peel Centenary Centre just two years ago.

On her last visit, the star pleased the crowd by giving a special acoustic performance along with pianist Nick Holland at the sold out gig.

’The Peel festival was just glorious,’ she told the Examiner, before describing the parts of the island which she has managed to see during her busy stays as ’so beautiful’.

’I’m really looking forward to coming back,’ the folk singer added cheerfully.

This time Barbara is bringing her full band to the fair isle, including Troy Donockley Nick Holland, Brad Lang and Russell Field, as part of her 2019 tour.

Barbara said: ’It’s a really lovely feeling to be playing with the band again. I only work with these people every two years.’

The tour follows the release of her brand new studio album ’Through Line’, which features some of the artist’s favourite songs from her early folk singing days.

Some songs include re-recorded versions of her 70s and 80s chart successes with the internationally-renowned Carducci String Quartet, which is based in the UK.

The nine tracks have been specially chosen by Barbara with completely new arrangements from John O’Hara, who also produces.

There is a high chance that the audience at the Gaiety Theatre, with the show taking place on February 19 at 7.30pm, may hear some of Barbara’s globally-known greats such as The Caravan Song and Another Suitcase in Another Hall.

’It will be traditional music in the show. It’s a great mixture of organic material done in a way that relies on the expertise rather than the production,’ Barbara explained.

’We play the Indian harmonium and Irish pipes.’

She added that ’it’s always lovely whenever the audience sings along’, and she particularly finds fans’ surprised reactions a treat when bringing back some of her well-known classics towards the end of a performance.

Born in Dunfermline, Barbara began her career in music from a early age starting on the piano keys at the mere age of five. She then took up the guitar aged 12.

’Being a youngster in the 60s was obviously marvellous,’ she said.

’There was lots of new music coming through and I grew up with people playing all around me. As a young person I was amongst these people and as time went on I managed to pick it up.

’I began piano lessons, then gave that up. At 12 I took on the guitar and was one of few girls who played guitar in my group of friends. I’ve played guitar ever since.’

’I’m really devoted to playing and singing live. This is where I started.’

She explained that she was never a ’natural show-off’ and that her performances have always been about showing off the music she can create.

’Music is so important to me,’ she said. ’I’m not showing off, it’s never been like that for me.

’The carrying of that can be weighty sometimes because I’m quite shy by nature.

’The first time I performed in front of people was in a folk club. Someone asked "anybody want to sing?" and I was pointed out. It would have been more embarrassing to say "no, no, no!". Performing in front of people is soul defining, I think.

’Performers reveal their musicality and that’s important to me. It’s about your heart and soul. If you’ve got something to show to the world you should share it with a bunch of people who want to see. Even when I was in Blood Brothers it because of what I sounded like. It wasn’t because I was the right height or my eyes were green.’

Barbara’s role in Willy Russell’s musical in 1983 marked her debut as a stage actress. The show moved from Liverpool to the West End in London where she later received the title of ’Best Actress in a Musical’ award from the Society of West End Theatres.

This wasn’t the first time she had featured in a successful musical. The biggest shift in her career began when she met up with her old friend, musician and playwright Mr Russell, who offered her a role of a musician and singer in his 1974 Beatles’ musical called ’John Paul, George, Ringoâ?¦ and Bert’.

This was performed at the Liverpool’s Everyman Theatre, which was a massive success and following the sold-out show it moved to the West End.

Barbara was recognised for her talent and was later signed to RSO records. The release of her first hit single, ’Answer Me’, followed shortly after in 1976.

In 1985 her single ’I Know Him So Well,’ which was recorded along with Elaine Paige and taken from the musical ’Chess’, was released.

It reached Number One in the UK charts and was a Top Ten hit around the world, selling over 900,000 copies.

In 2002 Barbara was awarded an OBE for Services to Music and Drama.

Comparing the music industry to nowadays, she said: ’The music business has changed immeasurably since I started. Now it’s often a producer creating the music, which is not the way round I knew it. Music on the radio... there’s not much there that I like. It’s too over-produced. Eminem is great - his work is a bit like Bob Dylan, it has a story there. I quite like Ed Sheeran, but not stuff recently.

She added: ’I like music to be simpler and to be performed in a direct way.’

â?¢ Tickets for the show cost £29.50.