ASSEMBLY HALL, TAMWORTH (2007)
'BIRMINGHAM MAIL' (September, 2007)
IT'S more than 30 years since Elkie Brooks strutted her stuff with the late Robert Palmer in Vinegar Joe - but she has stayed wonderfully true to her rock and roll roots.
Since those heady days Elkie has become better known for melodic solo material such as Pearl's A Singer and Lilac Wine.
But you still suspect that a woman with a voice like this owes a lot more to the likes of greats such as Janis Joplin or Aretha Franklin than she does to the mainstream.
Backed by a gloriously tight band, Elkie took Tamworth on a varied musical journey, from the Faces' Gasoline Alley, through Percy Sledge, the Doors and Muddy Waters.
Well done to the Assembly Rooms for getting an artist of Elkie's stature to Tamworth.
(Jon Griffin)
