Martha Reeves & The Vandellas at the Bloomsbury Ballroom

Out of the blue a couple of weeks ago those Reeves sisters announced in a very low key way that they were playing at the Bloomsbury Ballroom - I haven't seen it advertised anywhere but got hold of tickets and duly turned up waiting to be blown away.

I've not heard of the Ballroom before so had no idea what to expect but it's quite nice in a sort of 'ballroom', grown-up kind of way, glitterballs reflecting purple lights around the room and a well staffed bar that meant no waiting to be served (a good thing). My only worry was whether enough people would turn up to fill the room given the lack of publicity but a couple of hundred people of all ages duly made a respectable dent in the space of the ballroom.

The eight-piece band trooped onto the smallish stage and excitement mounted as people started gravitating to the stage. The band wasn't the Funk Brothers but they made a respectable fist of it, especially the four-piece brass section (it's nice to hear brass live for a change). Then on came Martha, Delphine and Lois Reeves, aka Martha Reeves & The Vandellas! And we were off and running!

They didn't have much room to move on the stage but they made the best of it, still giving us good hand gestures and gracious curtseys, Martha with her ever-present tamborine (with the set list and band names inside). The girls glittered from head to toe, with sparkly shoes to match the frocks. We were standing near the front of the stage so had excellent views and since we were within the glow of the stage lights I made sure I was seen to be singing and clapping along. Gotta give the girls a gee-up!

I've seen a few, ahem, older singers this year but Martha is probably the oldest and you've got to give her her due for keeping going and putting on a great show - that's true professionalism. And the audience loved her and her sisters - it was good to see a wide range of ages which shows her music appeals to all sorts and in acquiring a new, younger audience, keeps her in the limelight. They were great fun and special kudos goes to Lois for all the carefully choreographed arm gestures and movements.

Highlights of the evening were the big hits - 'Nowhere To Run', '(Love Is Like A) Heatwave', 'Jimmy Mack', 'Third Finger, Left Hand' and 'A Love Like Yours (Don't Come Knocking Everyday)'. The final song was a great version of 'Dancing In The Street'. Martha started off by saying she was going to make a video with David Bowie and Mick Jagger, and Niel Diamond and an endless list of stars (but didn't mention The Kinks) before finishing with, 'But it's my song. It was written for me - it's *my* song' - and so it is Ms Reeves. What is better than seeing the originals singing one of those iconic songs like 'Dancing In The Street'? They were fab!

They also did an extended version of 'What's Going On?' that allowed all the band to have a solo spot and a name-check. The encore was a great Motown megamix, a medley of Motown songs, and then they vanished again.

They reappeared at the back of the ballroom in a smaller room to meet and greet and sign things, all three of them. It was lovely to meet them, shake hands and chat for a few minutes - what lovely ladies they are! Before leaving, I took Chris's photo with them, shook hands and told them that tickets to see them in June on the Motown Legends tour had arrived yesterday. They must have to smile nicely at every odd punter after their shows but they do it so well, so warm and friendly, really shaking hands not just tentatively touching. They all had glasses of champagne and Lois had a bag of crisps. I like humanity in my stars as well as glitter. Wow - I've spoken to Martha Reeves and The Vandellas and shaken their hands! That counts as a good night out. Come back soon girls!