From the moment she appeared to rapturous applause, Elkie demonstrated her complete command of the stage, her band, her unique voice and the audience.

This tour may be celebrating her fiftieth year in music but she is no mere survivor.

Throughout the show, whether singing jazz, blues or old favourites such as Lilac Wine or Pearl's a Singer, she was, amazingly, performing even better than ever.

She, herself, announced that she is still learning and improving, to which we all roared our approval. As we also did when she demonstrated her vocal power by holding notes for impossibly long periods, and her physical stamina by holding the microphone and stand high above her head.

Credit must also go to her band saxophonist Steve Jones, vocalist Lee Noble, Michael Richardson on drums, keyboard player Andrew Murray, guitarist Melvyn Duffy and Brian Badhams on bass guitar.

This must be added to the list of truly great evenings at Bewdley Festival.

By C.A.S.