Elkie Brooks. The Embassy Theatre, Skegness. 06 November 2026

Billed as The Long Farewell Tour, I came away hoping that it really won't be. Elkie Brooks is an astonishing performer whose professional career began back in 1960 and at the age of 81 proved why she is still capable of achieving a near sell-out at the Skegness Embassy, 66 years later. With real charisma and perfect pitch, Elkie Brooks is still capable of commanding a stage and giving a flawless performance. Quite simply put, Brooks is a star and we should treasure that talent as I doubt we shall see her like again.

Over the course of her career, she has developed a habit of making other people's songs sound as if they were written with her vocal in mind, be it the work of Carole King, Leiber and Stoller, or even Prince, Brooks' performance draws you in and you forget that others have enjoyed success with these songs because they sound tailor-made for her.

It is always enjoyable relaxing in the surroundings of the Embassy Theatre, even more so since it's refurbishment - wherever you sit you gave a great view of the stage. There was little glitz on stage for this gig, just a simple stage set with Elkie Brooks' name projected onto the rear curtains that morphed into a star curtain as the show progressed. The band set up lent itself to the simple basic approach, five musicians employing guitar, bass, drums, keys and saxophone/woodwind and additional keys. band featured Tim Mills, Mike Smith, Brian Badhams, Tom Kincaid and Simon Roberts - apologies if I got any of those names wrong. The band provided wonderful backing and succeeded in replicating every style required, as they covered Ms Brooks' sets in each of the two halves of the concert.

There were several highlights for me in each half, but I especially enjoyed Do Right Woman, Do Right Man, Warm and Tender Love, Fool (If You Think It's Over) and The Sunshine After the Rain. She performed a mesmerising version of Make You Feel My Love accompanied only by piano which placed the audience in the palm of her hand and kept them there throughout, hanging on every syllable and every note. It was a truly beautiful version. I Put A Spell On You really highlighted her amazing blues voice, and Nights in White Satin proved remarkably powerful and rocky.

The second half began with her rendition of No More The Fool and was followed with a surprising cover of Rag n Bone Man's hit Human proving that Elkie Brooks continues to know great music when she hears it and can give it everything the song requires. Obviously her greatest hit, Pearl's A Singer, brought the house down but she rocked hard performing covers of songs by Jimi Hendrix, Freddie King and Jimmy Reed. The inevitable encores included a Dinah Washington cover of Long John Blues, Prince's Purple Rain and Bob Seger's We've Got Tonite.

The Embassy must be congratulated on bringing original artists to the venue to remind audiences what real talent looks like. To have had Jimmy Nail, Francis Rossi, Leo Sayer and Elkie Brooks in one season is fabulous. I hope they manage to secure more originals before they decide to call time on such wonderful careers. As for Elkie Brooks, I really hope it is a very LONG farewell tour and wish her well for the future.

Andy Evans - 07 November 2026

All photography copyright ANDY EVANS 2026 and may not be used without permission and a credit.