THE great voices - those which cut to the heart of American music - be they soul, country, gospel or blues, have all but gone. In the last two years alone we have said goodbye to Johnny Cash and Ray Charles, who have left to join the likes of Elvis and Otis Redding.

Rock 'n' roll legend Little Richard is a great voice, when he lets it come to the fore. His show is always cabaret - he walked onstage at Wolverhampton in a sparkling suit and stood atop his piano to reap the adulation, backed by two drummers, saxophonists and umpteen guitarists.

Of course, the 72-year-old does the classics - Tutti Frutti, Good Golly Miss Molly and Lucille to name a few but like a lot of numbers, however, Richard seemed content to sing the chorus a few times and then move on.

Add gripes about the sound, lengthy monologues about people videoing the show and protracted efforts to get people on the stage and you may have been left a bit miffed about the £35 ticket price but then there is that voice, the kind that comes from another age.

He sings a blues song and it is magical. His voice cracks on Send Me Some Loving and it sends shivers down the spine and, of course, his trademark "wooooooooooooos" are as exhilarating as ever. He still rocks where it counts - the seating plan did not stand a chance. OE