Beverley Knight at the Royal Albert Hall

Last night was Beverley's night and she seemed a little bit thrilled to be playing the Royal Albert Hall. It's quite prestigious in its own way but I always find it an odd building, a warren of corridors to get into the auditorium and in the middle of nowhere in Kensington, mid-way between tube stations (I rely on Chris for directions as a former Kensington kid). The concert (one doesn't have 'gigs' there) was being recorded so I'm hopeful for a DVD release at some point.

We missed the support acts and were ushered to our seats in the second row from the stage (big wow for being that close!) while they put the finishing touches to the stage, with big cloth drapery partially obscuring the old gold organ behind the stage, all of which looked great with the lightshow. The band and singers were at the back leaving the front of the stage free for Bev to prowl and kick and jump and dance away to her hearts content - she's an athletic kinda gal on stage.

Lights dimmed and on she came, all slim and good looking in a short kimono-stylee mini-dress, all thighs and stilettos below and wild mane of hair above, eyes sparkling and a big smile for the adoring welcome she received, glancing round the packed round hall, all of us there to see her. It was great being so close - a mere few yards away - so I could see her properly. What great photos I could've taken! Instead, I threw myself into my role as backing singer for the night, singing along, clapping on cue and doing my own boogie when instructed and when the music forced me. Bev ain't good for a bad back (I must have a word with her about that).

She was on stage for over one and half hours singing songs from across her career but focused on the hits and the latest album, 'Music City Soul'. And what a great performance. She hasa great voice but doesn't just belt 'em out, she controls her voice and doesn't go in for all that so-called diva crap of wailing up and down the register for the sake of it - Beverley's a proper singer. And a writer - it's easy to forget that she writes her own songs and has a great ear for melody and words.

She's also very fit and in good shape, and no wonder when she bounds around the stage like a thing possessed, making sure all sides of the audience get a good chance to see her. She was on top form.

Favourite songs last night were a stonking extended version of 'Flavour Of The Old School' with the singers joining her up front for some co-ordinated moves, a mellow 'Shoulda Woulda Coulda', a rip-roaring 'Piece Of My Heart' (which always sounds so much better live than on record), 'The Queen Of Starting Over', 'Greatest Day' (with smiles all over her face) and, of course, my favourite, 'Come As You Are' (it sounded a bit muted last night but great nonetheless). The encore was great too, with 'Gold' and the wild 'Black Butta' with Bev struttin' her funky stuff all over the stage.

It all seemed to be a bit much for Bev at the end, her big night at the Royal Albert Hall, and there were tears as the lad singer hugged her and led her to her place in the centre for the big group bows before leaving the stage. When she came on stage at the start she said something like. 'And they said this would never happen', meaning her playing there, so perhaps this was a longtime dream come true for wor Bev'lee?

It was a great show last night and had me on my feet for almost the whole time - well done, Bev!