Band members were given names of tennis champions depending on their appearance. Tift Merritt, when pressed, was Chris Evert.

The last couple of times the American singer songwriter appeared in Sheffield they were very much acoustic performances.

On Wednesday she served up a few aces as, with a niffy four-piece band, including organ, she switched between country, rock and soul.

The downside was that her voice was sometimes lost in the electric stew that swirled around the Memorial Hall, but the overall impression was of a major talent enthusiastically smashing down musical barriers.

Songs such as Tender Branch and the title track from the excellent new album, Another Country, were evidence of what can be achieved with a wonderfully soulful voice, a deft touch in writing and a bunch of fine musicians.

In the middle of the set, Merritt stepped away from the microphone and into the audience for stunning, whispered versions of Keep You Happy and My Virginia,.

And the evening was wrapped up with a song in French, Mille Tendresses, a spin off from her recent time living in Paris and further proof, if it was needed, that here is somebody who can turn her voice to just about anything.

Victory was assured.


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