CORN EXCHANGE, IPSWICH (2009)
EVENING STAR (20 January, 2009)
This was the rescheduled concert postponed from last autumn when Elkie cancelled due to a virus, but she was out to prove that she has lost none of her vim and verve for all her 63 years - and prove it she did.
Elkie is a class act - her voice as amazing as when she had her biggest hit, Pearl's A Singer, 30-odd years ago.
A true entertainer, obviously happy to be on stage in front of her fans, she beat out the old blues numbers with a mixture of experience and freshness.
Let Me Wrap You In My Warm And Tender Love, Love Potion No. 9, Fool If You Think It's Over, Sunshine After The Rain and of course Lilac Wine were delivered with that warm honey and gravel voice that seems to wash over your senses, yet is powerful enough to fill the whole auditorium.
Backed by six talented musicians she gave value for money and a feelgood factor that made the audience warm to her.
In some respects, Elkie still has a lot of little girl charm. At the end of every number she makes the most of the applause and seems to enjoy the experience as though it were her first time on stage - but this only adds to her appeal and with it she certainly wooed the audience at the Corn Exchange.
This solid evening of blues and jazz would have warmed the most cynical of hearts. It was great to see a legend like Elkie on such form.
(Susan Hawkes)
