For the last couple of decades ad men, politicians and other assorted reprobates have been using the song Simply the Best to promote their nefarious interests. Shame! Because it really does sum Tina Turner up in a verse. Simply the best, better than all the rest! And not one of those packing Birmingham’s NIA would have disagreed.

Anne Mae Bullock celebrates her 70th birthday this year and her remarkable story from dirt poor Nutbush to international superstar via an abusive husband is already the stuff of movies. But to paraphrase her, What’s age got to do with it? Here was an evening with a consummate entertainer. The NIA has the architectural flair of a Cold War aircraft hangar but for a spectacular multi-media show like this it came into its own. The presence of Tina was enough to fill the void even without the spectacular effects.

This was no cosy romp through the greatest hits. It was the most remarkable of live shows, combining the latest audio visuals with a remarkable set, pyrotechnics and the most superb musicians, singers and dancers. So often such theatricals detract from the real performance but here it all a came together to prove that Tina is still one of the world’s greatest live rock performers.

She made her grand entrance lowered on a hydraulic platform from the gods. As the band limbered up for the 007 theme Goldeneye, Tina emerged from a giant Bond- like camera shutter 30 feet above the stage. She reprised her role as Aunt Entity in Mad Max, complete with post-apocalyptic fighting cage and explosions. The finale saw her on an extending platform over the heads of the audience belting out Nutbush as if on the prow of a ship.

There was an economy of effort at times, but she is the consummate performer, with an armoury of tricks and stagemanship at her finger tips. When she announced her retirement nine years ago, that seemed to be that, but with such talent and vitality who’s to say we won’t be back in ten years enjoying her 80th birthday show.

Phil Ashworth