Deborah Bonham - Live In Malta ~ Valetta Waterfront
(S/R - 2008)

A cracking DVD of a gig at Malta’s Waterfront Festival in 2006 from the brother of John and Auntie of Jason. She has one hell of a powerful set of pipes on her and puts you in the mind of Janis Joplin when goes for the rapturous high squawks.

With a second to none band she nails some incredible songs suh as the slow but moving 'Stay With Me Baby' and Humble Pie's 'Black Coffee (well she does have that said bands Jerry Shirley manning the drums) and also worth mentioning is guest guitarist Robbie Blunt who twins alongside Pete, Deborahs husband. Other song highlights include 'Jack Past 8' - a real hot funky number, a dedication to her late brother Michael, and she waves to her mum in the crowd called 'Waited So Long'.

There's a real good raunchy rocker called 'The Devil In New Orleans' that features 'Colin Andrews' on harp who she has known since she was born and was a good friend of her brothers, Michael and John and lastly an incredible heartfelt ballad in 'The Old Hyde' about her late father and brothers who built John's house that is on 'The Song Remains The Same' who she dedicated to Robert Plant who was at the gig that night. In fact you see Robert greet Deborah after the show which is really touch to see and then some extra bonus footage of them soundchecking and getting things ready for the gig.

Well worth getting and seeing Deborah live if you get chance.

10/10

By Glenn Milligan