The Webb Sisters, St Mary's Arts Centre, Sandwich, Saturday, February 11

by Trevor Sturgess

The choice of churches for their Kent gigs proved inspired by our own Webb Sisters.

Their gentle harmonies seem especially suited to a church atmosphere and their devoted - devout almost - followers absorb every note in hushed reverence.

Charley and Hattie made their official Kent debut in Otford parish church in December and followed it two months later at St Mary's, Sandwich.

More than 300 admirers packed the spacious church for a heartwarming gig on a cold night. Singer/songwriter Luke Jackson, a Canterbury College student, filled the first half with an impressive body of roots music that has rightly earned him national plaudits and raised expectations of a promising future.

But it was the girls who had attracted loyal fans from as far away as Norway, Lyon and Sunderland. For nearly 90 minutes they entranced the audience, with several songs from their albums Daylight Crossing and Savages, new ones and some standards, all interspersed by light conversation and sisterly banter. Don't expect up-tempo numbers. These talented singer-songwriters offer poignant lyrics, gentle harmony and pure sounds that so perfectly match the beauty of the church.

Already well known for backing Leonard Cohen on his lengthy world tour, the Webbs have enhanced their own identity with a European programme that ended in Sandwich. Encouraging audience figures suggest that they are on the cusp of a breakthrough to a wider public.

But Cohen is never far away and his prayer If it be Your Will - so appropriate in those hallowed surroundings - proved a show-stopper.

A standing ovation preceded the sisters' trademark concluding duet in the aisle, with the subdued lighting and pure sounds generating an atmosphere so sacred you could almost hear the angels backing the girls in a distant heavenly choir.