For over three decades, Northern Ireland musician Maurice Dickson has performed around the globe for audiences ranging from 50 to 500 people. Twice, the virtuoso guitar player has appeared on Vashon to sold-out houses. Dickson will return for a third concert Saturday at the Open Space for Arts & Community.
Seated at an outdoor table and surrounded by lush gardens below the hillside vineyards of Jan and Bill Riley, Dickson, 55, spoke about his music and lifetime pursuit of perfecting and innovating his unique guitar playing style.
A quick smile reveals a bit of Dickson’s humor as he admits his passion for the acoustic instrument began quite by accident. He first played the harmonica until friends told him he had to switch to the guitar if he wanted to be in their band. At age 15, Dickson didn’t need to think twice. He bought a guitar and a chord book and taught himself to play. Recalling those early events, Dickson simply said he fell deeply in love.
“I can’t really express it. I loved the sound of the D chord. It was a hunger. And all these years later, I’m even more passionate than ever about the guitar.”
Dickson’s musical appetite first took him to Spain and Northern Africa in 1979. He planned to travel for two years, but stayed in Africa for five. He then performed throughout Europe for another 18 years before stopping to teach himself a new way to play.
“People told me I was great, but I felt I didn’t have a complete style,” Dickson said. “So I packed in the gigging and sat for eight hours a day for six months to develop the style I am still working on.”
What Dickson created has been called a distinctive, contemporary style of folk and blues. His elegant, finger-picking acoustic playing blends country, blues, bluegrass and mountain music. Combined with his finely crafted lyrics, Dickson established his trademark sound, which garnered numerous awards beginning in 1993. Since then Dickson has been writing songs, recording and touring constantly in Ireland, Scotland, England, Holland, Belgium, Germany, Denmark and the U.S. Critics have called Dickson’s music gutsy and moving and described him as a genius performer with amazing stage presence and personality.
His connection to Vashon began years ago while on tour in Hamburg, Germany. There he met Jan Riley’s brother Alan Graham, a singer-songwriter in France and Germany. Graham told Dickson he should contact his sister when he toured the U.S. Dickson followed up and found an ardent admirer in Jan, who arranged for his first concert at the Blue Heron 11 years ago, followed by a second event at the grange three years ago.
“Maurice is one of the best acoustic guitarists I’ve ever heard,” Jan said. “He uses complicated tunings and has incredible speed and dexterity. He can play in a foot-stomping frenzy and then suddenly switch to a song that is played with such tenderness that it chokes you up.”
For his part, Dickson said he loves coming to Vashon.
“I think if there was anywhere I’d live in America, it would definitely be the island,” he said. “If I’ve been writing or recording and then come here, I can turn it all off and chill. It’s lovely and peaceful here.”
Still, Dickson knows how to turn it back on for his performances. He speaks with reverence about what happens when he plays in front of an audience.
“I like everything about performing for people. There’s this magical thing of connection with people in the room. That connection can trigger a warm emotion. I like small gigs especially, where it is more intimate. (I) am the little drop that kicks off the room and then we go on a journey for the next two hours together. We all become one.”
The show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance, $18 at the door and are available at Vashon Bookshop and Brown Paper Tickets. VIP tickets are $40 and include reserved seating, a post-show reception with food from La Biondo, drinks from The Hardware Store Restaurant and special visit with Dickson. For a sample of Dickson’s music, visit: youtube/jj9EK1QMlUg.
