HAS Joan Wasser finally struck gold? The title suggests so, as does the album cover, which features a gilded Joan sporting a Harry Potter magic scar on her finger. But the real alchemy is a metamorphosis from beguiling torch singer coming to terms with the drowning of her lover, Jeff Buckley, into slick, doo-wop soul diva.

In part that is a shame, because few do melancholy with such aplomb. On Good Together and New Year’s Day we are reminded how splendid her mournful voice is; how rewardingly bleak her lyrics can be. However this transmogrification into alt-Motown proves an uplifting release for both singer and listener; the title track, Witness and Holy City being the most satisfying examples.

Is The Classic a classic? Not quite, but it’s an agreeable enough meld of Joan as policewoman and Joan as Pharrell Williams. While she is guilty of occasional pastiche, on this showing there may yet be gold for her to strike in them thar hills.