Confession time. Until today I had not come across Katie Doherty or the Navigators but I’m jolly pleased I have done – anything to take my mind off the intricacies of the impending general election. We’ll be bombarded with political stuff for weeks! So, before you read any further have no fear – this evening was tremendous.
Tonight Baston welcomed Teesside singer and songwriter Katie who was joined by Dave Gray on melodeon and Grace Smith on fiddle, an additional member of the ensemble being the Roland keyboard, whose programming features were used to exceptional effect by Katie throughout the evening.
Right from the start, Summer Song – the final track of her latest recording Flow – we could tell we were in the presence of a songwriter of the highest calibre. Katie’s style is bright, thoughtful and optimistic. She presents as someone who values life, fresh air and friendship whilst being quietly passionate about life’s injustices. The rose in a fisted glove style of song writing.
Katie played other songs from Flow, notably Four Strings, Hey Little Girl (dedicated to Greta Thunberg) and A Lifelong Stupid Dream.
In the introduction to one of her songs Katie explained her thinking behind calling her group The Navigators – people who navigate you to where you want to be – she’s clearly talking from personal experience here. Before I’ll Go Out she ruefully told us of an old partner – “he ran off with a Look North weather girl” – now there’s a title for a song if I ever heard one!
I was particularly struck by Passing Through, a song about seeds, planting, growing and creating opportunities but in truth there were many highlights.
Many of Katie’s songs reminded me of show songs, with tunes and themes that would fit in well in musical theatre. So it was no surprise to find out that she has worked as a musical director for theatre productions at Newcastle’s Northern Stage as well as the Royal Shakespeare Company. Her songs lend themselves so well to a sort of ‘folk musical style’ Indeed Katie herself could be the ‘Girl from the North Country.
The second set contained a high number of songs that Katie was clearly testing out for the future – indeed she told us that she has a show in the offing, primarily about Josephine Butler, a Northumberland feminist and social reformer whose life spanned the whole of the Victorian era. Listening to Katie, David and Grace I kept coming back to a single word to describe what I was hearing – finesse.
My only gripe, and it’s a minor one, is that the vocals on a couple of songs were slightly lost – this may have been due to the speaker not quite pointing in my direction. I only mention this because the quality of Katie’s lyrics is so high it seems a shame to miss some individual words.
Tonight was a real treat. This was due not only to the aforementioned Katie and her talents but also to David who was clearly more than happy to be back on familiar Baston turf and Grace for her subtle fiddle playing. Both offered accompaniment that was clear, subtle and understated yet integral to the overall sound and success of the songs
It’s a real shame that, as far as I am aware, Katie isn’t standing in the general election – she would certainly get my vote! Tonight my musical knowledge was increased by exposure to a significant talent – we certainly deserve to hear more!
Review and Photos By Toby Wood
Baston Traditional Music 
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