THIS was a one-woman show from the artist known as Calli with a little help from her friends ... top-class musicians and the songs of the females who have inspired her.

Wirral's very own versatile performer received a standing ovation for her lovingly put-together new concert aptly-titled Heart of a woman.

A personal celebration of classic hits and album tracks from some of the most iconic female artists.

Each song was introduced with a heart-felt reason why she had chosen them for the set list.

Maybe a concert programme detailing each song origin, and artist biography would free her up more and help the show flow better and enable her to squeeze in a few more songs.

The back-projections of the individual stars works well enough in their own right as do the self-explanatory lyrics.

This creative musical concept is an enjoyable jukebox journey through some of the most famous songbooks from Porgy and Bess and Summertime to the best of Fleetwood Mac's females - Christine McVie and Calli's idol Steve Nicks.

Indeed Calli would certainly relish a gig featuring just Steve's career.

Calli was last headlining at the Blue Lounge with her tribute to the back-catalogue of Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen with two sell out productions of her well received Songs of the Poets.

It illustrated her love of themes detailing dreams, hopes and aspirations.

This latest project casts the net wider.

She has an engaging on-stage personality and gives 100 per cent with each interpretation from a rousing version of Dolly Parton's Jolene to Paloma Faith's Upside Down.

And it's always good to see Brian 'Saxophone' Jones in action.

Calli also visited the worlds of Kate Bush, KT Tunstall and Joni Michelle, carefully balancing the uptempo with the melancholy.

The diverse range of songs included Carole King's It Might as Well Rain Until September to Nancy Sinatra's These Boots are Made For Walking both lapped up by the audience.

She ended with Chrissie Hynde's I'll Stand by You dedicated to Claire House - a charity close to the heart of this woman.

Four stars.

Calli's Got Talent!

Catch her at West Kirby Arts Centre Songs with Songs of the Poets September 20 and 'Heart of a Woman' at Heswall Hall Big Room on November 9.

Details from

www.callimusic.com