ALTHOUGH best known for her work on the TV phenomenon that was Ally McBeal, Vonda Shepard's success derived from a flair for singing live since the age of 14.

Now the seasoned singer, songwriter and actress will be appearing at Liverpool Olympia in the only North West gig of her UK tour.

It seems Vonda was destined to become an acclaimed musician with artistically gifted parents and an urge to play the piano at six years of age.

By 14, she was practising for more than six hours a day, as well as playing gigs in Los Angeles, and at 21 was touring as a singer and keyboard player with Rickie Lee Jones.

In 1989, Vonda released her self-titled debut album before going on to release a further eight, racking up worldwide album sales in excess of 12 million.

The gig at Olympia, West Derby Road, on Thursday, October 21 will see her singing tracks from her latest album, Chinatown, as well as some of the greatest hits from the Ally McBeal days.

Tickets, £21.45 and £23.65, can be reserved by calling the Olympia box office on 263-6633 or through the Radio City box office in St Johns Precinct, Liverpool.

But we have one pair of tickets to give away to a lucky reader who answers the following question correctly:-

What is the name of Vonda Shepard's new album?

Send your answer on the back of a postcard along with your name, address and daytime contact phone number to 'Vonda Competition', Wirral Globe, Globe House, Catherine Street, Birkenhead, Wirral CH41 6HW. Closing date is Tuesday, October 19.

Good luck!