Review: Leo Sayer – Live in Concert 2017, The Apex, Bury St Edmunds, Wednesday, June 7

Singer-songwriter Leo Sayer wowed a sell-out audience at The Apex, Bury St Edmunds, last night. Photo: Contributed (Image: Archant)

Nearly two hours of non-stop hits came flowing out from the man who was dressed in light blue trousers and jacket and a red floral shirt which epitomised his new antipodean culture as he was backed by a quartet of fine musicians.

With 16 hit albums and 26 hit singles to his credit Sayer, who last month celebrated his 69th birthday, showed he still has that distinctive quality in his voice.

Now living in Australia, his singing career has spanned four decades after starting off in a soul band in Worthing.

Among his many link-ups with the audience he told the stories behind a couple of his songs including how his former roadie eloped to Gretna Green with his girlfriend, the daughter of the local police chief; and how they became the first people to inadvertently travel along the newly constructed M6 only to be stopped by the long arm of the law in Carlisle.

He named the song Moonlighting.

Then the story of his link-up with Sir Cliff Richard and how he quickly penned a massive hit for the singer entitled Dreaming, of which he gave a special rendition.

Sayer launched his career in the UK in the early 1970s and became a top singles and album act on both sides of the Atlantic.

His first seven hit singles hereall reached the Top 10 – a feat first registered by his first manager, Adam Faith.

Last night’s repertoire included many of those unforgettable hits including More Than I Can Say, The Show Must Go On, One Man Band, Orchard Road, Thunder In My Heart, You Make Me Feel Like Dancing, When I Need You, How Much Love and Raining In My Heart which featured a wonderful funky guitar/harmonica duet.

He came back on stage to perform Endless Flight and I Can’t Stop Loving You.

Russell Cook