Judie Tzuke: St George's

IT has been 30 years since singer-songwriter Judie Tzuke first made her way into the charts, and here she is celebrating this with her Moon On A Mirrorball tour. Not so much a retrospective event, Judie is more acknowledging her anniversary before moving into the next era.

But before Judie graced the stage, a string of songs in a classic soft-rock mould established the tone of daughter Bailey's opening set. With younger sister Tallula on backing vocals, Bailey opened with Caution To The Wind, Where You Are and Anchor Me, accompanied by a full band.

The gentle flow of Leaf was a delight, and at points Bailey's singing style owed a debt of gratitude to Kirsty Hawkshaw, who has collaborated with Judie in the past. Bailey concluded with the aptly titled Strong, which proved the mighty range of her voice.

After a short interval, Judie appeared to huge applause and launched straight into Chasing Shadows, followed by Under The Angels, which showcased her soaring voice. She explained how, en route to Bristol, the band's van blew a tyre on the motorway, as if to explain why she's jittery, but she seems serenely composed.

The set continues with newer songs Faith and Submarine Boy from her latest album, which both offer a familiar mix of romantically windswept melodies, and are backed up by Judie's band again.

Throughout the evening, she sings with great poise, whether on the romantic, pared-back classic Come Hell Or Waters High, or the sure-fire crowd-pleaser Joan Of Arc. But whatever Judie sang, the audience sat in the pews of St George's and soaked her up with reverential stillness. It was strange to see such an obviously devoted audience so motionless, but perhaps that's a combination of the church atmosphere and the mesmerising quality of Judie's singing.

Here in St George's, like an English Stevie Nicks, Judie performed a spellbinding show combining her icy yet plaintive voice and her powerful but beautiful music. Her stage presence is both openhearted and self-contained, and there is something humbling about Judie's apparent shyness.

7/10

JANE MORNEMENT