FROM Marcus Malone's opening debut at The Great British R'n'B Festival, Colne, to Sister Monica's volcanic finale this was one extraordinary day of eclectic blues.

Any person that can get the crowd dancing before it gets dark is special and Malone's irrepressible blend of soul, funk, R'n'B and blues did it with contemptuous ease.

With a set taken largely from his album One More Time, this dreadlocked Detroit born vocalist/guitarist showed why his recent work at the Royal Albert Hall with BB King is a pointer to the future; a huge star in the ascendancy.

Hot on the heels of Malone came Telford's very own Blazin Row, with the hugely gifted Kevin Thursfield on vocals and bass. This band with attitude provided a surprising hybrid of serious rock-blues with influences of soul, jazz and even R'n'B.

With Thursfield's vision and the band's talent, you just know Y2K is going to be their year.

The rain may ultimately have poured, but there were no damp spirits here. The audience was rapturous in continual praise for all the acts. The Eddie Juke Band provided a highly competent set, but once joined on stage by the old delta blues man Blind Mississippi Morris, the whole thing caught fire.

Morris' absolute honesty and emotive performance drew back the curtains of time to provide both he and the crowd with a fresh lease of life; this seminal stuff culminating in their unbeatable version of Crossroads.

Britain's own queen of soul blues Ruby Turner hit the stage with a vengeance that never let up for 60 minutes and rarely have we witnessed such a performance by a home grown talent. Original material from her past albums plus blues standard (I'd Rather Go Blind was beyond belief) left us gasping for more, as did the highly accomplished Mike Morgan and the Crawl from Dallas - featuring Lee McBee on vocals and harp as they rocked and boogied.

Early morning came and the biggest and best was saved 'til last in the shape and sound of the awesome Sister Monica and her band.

A legend after her Colne performances last year, the lady was bolder and even more brasher than ever. Her opening numbers Feel My Desire and The Sister Don't Pay, said it all of this woman, who possesses just about everything a star should have.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.