WAS Ian Sime actually at Katie Melua's York Barbican concert (Review, March 6)? I think not.

For anyone who did not get to see Katie live in concert at the Barbican, left, you missed a sensational night.

Katie's voice is one of the most haunting voices to be heard in a long time.

It sounds even better in the flesh than on her number one album.

She has amazing stage presence. The audience held on to her every word as she introduced each song. She showed no signs of nerves and she did not look to anyone for help on stage, as referred to by Ian Sime.

How can he call her one-dimensional and patronisingly say her music is only good for listening to while taking a bath?

Thankfully, the audience did not agree with him and gave her a standing ovation for a wonderful and truly inspiring performance.

Ian Sime should stick to reviewing music he can appreciate, whatever that may be, and leave anything else to someone who can give a true and honest account of performances such as the one Katie displayed in York.

Jo Eltham,

Pinewood Grove,

York.

...WHILE recognising the positive points Ian Sime made about Katie Melua, I feel that the tone does not do justice to the wonderful event it turned out to be.

Anyone who was in the audience will know what I mean.

Miss Melua maybe did sound nervous when talking between songs, but the audience was not there for a stand-up routine by an after dinner speaker.

There was no hint of nervousness when singing her repertoire of great songs from her very strong debut album, Call Off The Search.

How Ian Sime could call her one- dimensional when songs on Call Off The Search are so very different from each other, I shall never know.

One of the best songs of the night was Spider's Web, from the forthcoming album, which Ian did not mention.

The talented Mike Batt and Jim Creegan, along with the rest of the band, supplemented Katie's amazing voice but certainly did not have to lead her or keep her on track.

The occupants of my car were certainly buzzing on the journey back to Bridlington by what we had been privileged to experience.

I am sure there were many hundreds of others feeling exactly the same way, judging by the reaction of the audience at the end of her gig.

Paul Holmes,

Auburn Close, Bridlington.

Updated: 11:19 Wednesday, March 10, 2004