Rain Pryor (SkinnyFest2)

As the daughter of one of comedy's most celebrated exponents, Rain Pryor was always going to find recognition in her own right tricky. But tonight, in front of a small but appreciative crowd, her silky, soulful and evocative vocals (think 1920s America, where despite various gangland massacres, Bugsy's still on top) she's putting up one hell of a fight. With a set made up of covers, some more recognisable than others, Pryor's impressive vocals demand attention, whilst being gently guided by her band through heartache and sorrow. At her most powerful during a jazz-blues take on Clapton's Tears in Heaven (dedicated to her recently deceased father), Pryor was supreme, drawing even herself to tears; a fitting tribute indeed. With a little of Richard's silver tongue banter between songs (the stuff without the swearing…) the hour passed all too quickly as confirmation of Rain Pryor - Jazz singer – was complete. [Jon Seller]