Bonnie Raitt, Bournemouth International Centre

IT WAS a perfect evening. Legendary performer Bonnie Raitt took to the stage in Bournemouth and she meant business.

With her shock of red hair - set off with a stylish vanilla Mallen streak - and a figure women half her age would covet, she strode around the stage playing her guitar with customary style and verve.

So at home with her audience, she chatted between songs like they were old friends - cracking jokes and telling tales.

Her voice was clean and pure - one moment displaying power and force, the next gentle enough to touch your very soul.

At 54 she shows no sign of slowing down - in fact she really did look like a woman in her prime.

She took her devoted audience on a musical journey that included standards such as Nick Of Time and Let's Give 'Em Something to Talk About - and her encore began with the sublime I Can't Make You Love Me.

Bonnie played many old blues tracks from her first albums and seemed to really enjoy the freedom of playing the music she wanted, rather than sticking to all her best known tunes.

She was supported by the wonderful Eric Bibb. He is clearly a man who knows all about the blues and his voice was a revelation.

This really was a night of perfect entertainment.