Review: Connie is still sounding lush

With a powerful voice like '˜3am whiskey' and a stage presence that could fill the Albert Hall, (where she supported the late great BB King on his last tour), Connie Lush, five times winner of Best UK Female Vocalist award, gave a superb performance at the Pavilion Arts Centre, Buxton, last night (Friday, November 25).

Buxton opera house. 2016 11 25 Connie Lush main

Wearing her signature red hat, her wit, warmth and charm drew in the audience from the first number.

In a set ranging from covers of blues classics by Ray Charles, Bonnie Raitt and Etta James to self-penned songs from her latest album Renaissance, Connie moved effortlessly from full-throated gusto to heartfelt tenderness.

Throughout she was wonderfully complemented by her tight backing band, Terry Harris on bass guitar, Roy Martin on drums, with virtuoso lead guitarist Steve Wright deserving special mention.

The evening closed with her excellent cover of the Stevie Wonder classic Higher Ground, following a surprisingly tender rendition of Silent Night to set a festive tone.

Grace Slick once famously said that rock stars over the age of 50 should quit the game. Long recognised as one of the finest blues singers in the UK, feisty, joyous Connie Lush gloriously disproved this. Blues is her business and business is good.