Jackie Johnson who all the fans know from the solo tours was the first girl Marti called on, who joined him to sing the old Peaches and Herb hit Reunited. Marti and Jackie sang so well together last time and once again didn’t disappoint, it was lovely to hear them again. Marti then left the stage for Jackie to sing the song which she did with Marti back in 2000 – It Should Have Been Me and just as Marti said, she killed it dead, what an amazing voice she has for a song like this, nice one Jackie.

Marti returned to the stage hand in hand with Betty Boo. Betty was the only female he sang two songs with. Firstly, the old Detroit Spinners hit Could It Be I’m Falling In Love with a nice tinkly piano then the rocky duet probably the best known version being done by Rod Stewart & Tina Turner, It Takes Two. Not that we would have stayed in our seats during such a number but Marti encouraged us to get on our feet for a dance.

Marti next welcomed on stage his good friend Lesley Garrett who was wearing a dazzling white sparkly trouser suit. Lesley first sang herself doing one of her latest songs On Holy Ground while Marti sat up behind at the front of the drums listening in complete awe of Lesley’s singing, you could see he was clearly lapping up every second of it. Lesley has a totally outstanding voice with such power and we were all knocked out by it, Marti included. The place was on its feet, giving her a near standing ovation as she finished and Marti was totally blown away, just like he said Lesley nearly did to the roof.

Marti then joined Lesley as they captivated us with their rendering of the old Nat King Cole love song classic When I Fall In Love. They were superb, Lesley with her superior suprano operatic voice and Marti being so versatile being as deep a tenor as he could manage.

Lesley was very hands on during the performance but Marti composed himself well, at the end she received a well earned kiss off Marti. It was such a moving performance it almost brought tears to my eyes and I wasn’t alone in that feeling, the song just made it.

As we said goodbye to Lesley, Marti welcomed ex-Spice Girl Emma Bunton on stage with whom he sang the Al Green soul classic of Lets Stay Together. Marti toned down again to his normal singing voice to compliment Emma’s softer vocals. No sooner had the song started than Marti had gently placed his hand round Emma’s midriff, she didn’t mind, just made her play up to Marti and the crowd even more.

I don’t mind admitting singing along to Emma’s solo song, her recent single What Took You So Long. I like the song and find it very catchy and easy to listen to. It’s a nice change to have her singing live, it proves she can do it, because from her girl power background it’s all too easy to rely on a backing track but she held it well and the crowd were kind to her.

Ruthie Henshall, a star of shows such as Crazy For You, Peggy Sue Got Married and amongst others Chicago (what a coincidence) came on and sang two Burt Bacharach numbers. The first, The Look Of Love she sang with Marti which was a real treat for us. Marti then exited stage right but not before Ruthie shouted after him telling him he was fantastic, we couldn’t have agreed more. The second she sang on her own but it was well known, Do You Know The Way To San José ?, it’s one of those songs you just can’t avoid tapping your feet to.

Marti returned with another diva, Dina Carroll who I think is great although I’ve not heard much from her for a while. Once more Marti sat up behind to enjoy Dina’s own performance and he said afterwards that he loved the song Someone Like You, a Van Morrison song which she’d done as part of the Bridget Jones’s Diary soundtrack. Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway's hit, Back Together Again was Dina’s duet with Marti which had a great disco beat to it and they wanted everyone to stand up and have a good time, who were we to say no. Marti and Dina certainly showed us a few dancy moves during this one, Dina vamping him all the way.

Sadly Dina was the last guest for the duets but it was far from the end of the show. Marti was free to entertain us with his own songs again which was more familiar territory for us and he was clearly in his element by now. All these women, no wonder !

Marti Index