BEWDLEY Festival got off to a terrific start with an enthusiastic performance by Dennis Locorriere, billed as The Voice of Dr Hook.

He talked intimately to the sell-out audience with amusing and moving stories between songs, performing a see-saw tempo mixing melodic ballads and country numbers with almost manic powerful performances of more lively numbers.

He mentioned his two solo albums Out of the Dark and One of the Lucky Ones, performing the upbeat Lazy Day and the sensitive Underneath the Moon to warm responses from the audience.

The Dr Hook hits rolled along with ease including A Couple More Years, If Not You and When You're In Love With A Beautiful Woman (with chorus harmony singing by the audience a particular success.) The Queen of the Silver Dollar brought the bulb down from the downlight but this failed to faze the professional performer.

Few singers/guitarists could rely on such an extensive back catalogue of their own compositions and the range of his strong voice and accomplished guitar playing did credit to his writing.

I have not seen a performer creating their own echoes and fading effects by running so enthusiastically from the front to the back of the stage before.

Percussion was achieved by foot stomping and drumming on his guitar fret-boards.

He also showcased songs by other writers, including the Sam Cooke hit Only Sixteen which went down well.

The evening was superb for variety and entertainment lasting until 11pm.

I had not seen Dennis Locorriere perform live before and would recommend any fan of guitar music from rock to country to watch him. DLT