THE last time The Valentines and Russell Painter combined in a concert, it was so successful they decided to repeat the idea, and again entertained us superbly.

The ladies are always asked to sing My Heart Will Go On and, although I have heard this many times, I still enjoyed it immensely.

Their selection was very varied, from a barbershop arrangement of the spiritual Down by the Riverside, to a Hungarian folk song and Malotte's setting of The Lord's Prayer, sung unaccompanied.

Memories of the summer's trip to Husum were evoked with a selection of items they sang there, including a Bewdley version of Du, du, liegst mir im Herzen.

Add to all this a beautiful version of Georgia on my Mind and Any Dream will do and there was really something for everyone.

Russell Painter had the audience in his hand from the moment he came on, singing Wilkommen, Bienvenue, Welcome from Cabaret.

Again, this talented singer proved his versatility, singing with equal finesse La Mia Canzione by Tosti, Take a Pair of Sparkling Eyes from The Gondoliers, and a song from Half a Sixpence in which he will be taking the lead at the end of November, in London.

Bring Him Home from Les Miserables was performed with a maturity belying his years, and he ended his planned selection with a Tom Lehrer song about Poisoning the Pigeons in the Park.

There was no way the audience would let him go without an encore, so, after a request, his final song was Music of the Night from Phantom of the Opera. Russell was accompanied by Patrick Isbell, who stepped in at very short notice, as the planned pianist was unable to attend. I look forward to the next Valentines/Russell Painter concert. VJS