Divas of County, Regent Centre, Christchurch

Being a tribute to the female stars of country-and-western music, some might have expected this show to be a relaxing evening of smoothly delivered ballads. If so, they certainly got that wrong - this was country with a cowgirl's kick. Yehaw indeed.

A host of hits from the '50s onwards were given vibrant treatment from Laura Briggs, Jane Ellis, and Sophie Kent, while their danced routines, - not to mention their outfits - was steam rising, the backing provided by a four-piece guitars, keyboards, and percussion full powered band. Actually, at times they were a bit too over-powerful, especially the booming bass player who, taking the Kenny Rodgers vocal part, practically drowned out Islands In The Stream altogether.

You had to feel some sympathy for the lads in the band, though. With all that shaking it in front of them, and sometimes alongside them, it was a wonder they could all keep in tune.

Bass power problems apart there was certainly a lot to enjoy. Highlights included modern country rock like Gretchen Wilson's All Jacked Up and Martina McBride's This One's For The Girls.