Cara Dillon - Turner Sims Concert Hall, Southampton

WITH a mixture of traditional folk songs and original material, and a backing of keyboard, double bass, guitar and violin, Cara Dillon enchanted the audience at the delightful Turner Sims Concert Hall.

The highlights were the songs featuring just the flawless keyboard of Sam Lakeman and Dillon's powerful yet intimate vocals, swooping and soaring.

There Were Roses is an achingly poignant narrative about The Troubles in Belfast, and Dungiven an intensely personal description of her home town in County Derry, Northern Ireland.

There is a warm and touching melancholy about Dillon's music but, lacking the variety and clarity of fellow-Irish singer-songwriter Eleanor McEvoy, much of Dillon's set reflected a samey sadness and occasionally indistinct lyrics.

It was unfortunate that her charismatic and self-effacing between-numbers patter was often drowned and distorted by disconcerting guitar tuning.

Nevertheless, a most enjoyable performance.