Shortly before the astronomical event of April 8th, 2024, this scribe’s boss asked why did nobody play Bonnie Tyler‘s “Total Eclipse Of The Heart” to mark it. As it turned out, people did – en masse – which begged the question of whether there’s a need for something special to listen to the Welsh chanteuse’s oeuvre whose almost five-decade-long career is full of brilliant songs. And it’s not the MBE that signifies the ultimate respect she commands – it’s the list of instrumentalists supporting the lady’s voice on record and on stage, from Mo Foster and Simon Phillips back in the day to John Young and Ed Poole in later years, with colleagues like Frankie Miller and Rod Stewart raring to share her vocal load in duets. Yet then again, in concert she shines just as bright – and Ms Tyler’s forthcoming live album should be a testament to her undimming talent.

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