Beth Hart Live: Sage, Gateshead

BEING hand-picked to perform alongside such legends as Buddy Guy, Slash, Jeff Beck and Joe Bonamassa is cast-iron proof that Beth Hart is in possession of a rare and valuable talent.

With a voice evoking the glory days of Nina Simone, with a sprinkling of Alanis Morissette, Randy Crawford and Amy Winehouse, all backed with an intensity and power that could shake the very foundations of a 15-storey tower block, it`s no wonder that Hart has been feted in the highest musical circles.

Her latest album, Fire on the Floor (her sixth album, recorded in three days), is arguably her most expansive and varied to date, touching on jazz alongside the blues, soul and rock elements that she has showcased across her work. The tour was sold out weeks ago which shows how high her star has risen since her early days in the 1990s. Hart made her entrance from the back of the hall showing this was not going to be just any old show.

Although spending a fair amount of time behind her piano, Hart was able to project her personality to all corners of The Sage in a two- hour set from the schmooze of Jazz Man to the dirty, smoking blues of I`ll Take Care of You and the edgy rock of Waterfalls, which saw her back out into the crowd giving plenty of opportunities for impromptu selfies

It was comforting to see that so many people can tear themselves away from the X Factor in favour of genuine talent.

Mick Burgess