You know the one about the statuesque beauty, famed for her vocal dexterity and unique phrasing, who fronted a successful pop group, had hit albums and singles, then implodes into a black hole of fatigue, drink and self doubt, decamps to Memphis to rediscover some peace of mind and a musical and emotional balance, pulls it all together finds her soul, comes home refreshed and delights with a mature, melodic and beautifully constructed album of near classics?
 
Enough about Dusty Springfield.
 
Cerys Matthews could write the book about iconic girl singers, and tonight's audience have obviously read it. I was genuinely surprised at how full the Concorde was, and how supportive the crowd were. But mostly I was surprised at how bloody good she looked: Fit, tanned, lithe and very, very pregnant. Marriage, Memphis and musical credibility obviously agree with her.
 
Looking like a cross between the immortal Sphinx and Ursula Andress (the Bond version) she beamed her way through most of her new solo album (Cock-a-hoop, Blanko y Negro records). A warm and melodic discovery of the heart and soul of county / folk. It's a wise and worldly mix of original material, with some carefully chosen covers and even a light and beautiful reading of the traditional Welsh Hymn, 'Arglwydd Dyma Fi' (Calgary). Changes in mood and tempo from the lighter 'Chardonnay' and 'Caught In The Middle', to the deeper 'Good in Goodbye' were a perfect showcase for strange and beautiful voice, cracking with emotion and sweeping from whisper to deep and stormy siren.
 
A wonderful band of accomplished musicians, including Paul Griffiths on drums looking like a loved-up Jack Osborne, some beautiful, twangy noise from the Bazoukie, slide and pedal guitars left us in no doubt what a REAL musician can achieve.
 
Perhaps her time has really come, It looks like Alt-folk has finally made the grade to mainstream, with The Coral, The Bandits and The Burn all jostling for their place in the limelight. I'm glad that someone has noticed there is a place for craft and intellect in popular music. We can only take so much Na-Na-Na, Na Na Na Nnnaaaa-Na.
 
If you enjoy Cerys then you may also like:
The Handsome family, the Be-Good-Tanyas and the wonderful Ryan Adams, more about Cerys on www.cerysmatthews.info.
 
ps - I'm not biased, but I was born in Wales and my cousin is called Cerys, AND she's gorgeous, AND her sister Lise was the first ever Welsh speaking Miss Wales. (yeah, they got all the good genes).
 
words: Rich