Aberdare Coliseum Theatre Saturday 29th June

It must be five years or more since I contributed to this forum but having waited nearly 48 hours for somebody else to review this show l feel it should not slip under the radar unnoticed and go without comment.

This was the third occasion that I have managed to catch Lucinda live, the previous two being at Shepherds Bush Empire and the last in 2006 not being a happy expereince, in spite of the presence onstage of guest Bruce Springsteen. To have her visiting on my doorstep, 25 miles from home seemed too good to miss even in this pared down format and it was a full house.

Happy to report it was a fabulous night with Lucinda in great form vocally and very relaxed with the 600 crowd and she could not have had better partners than Doug and David. This was her first time live in Wales and she was careful to outline her Welsh ancestry and salute the local artistic talent. I am afraid that I did not note the set list mainly because I was so focused on the stage but had I designed it myself it could not have been a better greatest hits collection, leaning mainly on Car Wheels and World Without Tears but featuring a nod to every phase of her career and all her ‘big’ songs: Passionate Kisses, Pineola, Changed the Locks, Joy as well as some good covers: Killing Floor and Factory.

Last time I saw her, Lucinda appeared out of sorts and not in good shape so it was terrific to witness her in such great voice and good humour. The sound was very good and she led from the front and gave a really well measured and assured performance that was pitched at precisely the right level of intimacy. Doug just gets better and better and appears to have rationalised his guitar collection playing a mere five different axes on the night but I thought David too was a revelation.

I was amused at the rather elderly audience demographic many of whom had travelled hundreds of miles but they were vary warm and I hope Lu felt appreciated. I loved it.

So Croeso and come back soon – and next time please bring Butch.