jane russell, the temptations and david gest at liverpool cathedral

I've heard plenty of performances in the cathedral, but I've never heard people like Deniece Williams, Kim Weston and Dorothy Moore opening up their vocal chords and filling the "great space" with the most amazing gospel.
Then there was William Bell (whose piano player accompanist was apparently from Massive Attack) who performed a unique version of the Beatles' Yesterday, followed by Freda Payne (who with Deniece Williams had been at the Everyman to see The Caretaker the other week) who went back to her first love of jazz and big bands to bring us a cracking version of Ella Fitzgerald's first hit Mr Paganini.
Billy Paul, who was singing with Charlie Parker at 16, wandered down the steps of the Well to sing within feet of we diners, and Peabo Bryson - who had been sitting behind me urging Dorothy Moore on with "come on, come on, that's it" as she sang a capella in her rich, velvety voice - actually waded into the midst of us to perform Missing You.
With Candy Staton, Percy Sledge and the Stylistics also leaping up to entertain us, it was as you can imagine quite an evening.
I was sitting on a table with, among others, Jimmy McGovern, Colin McKeown, Tom Lang and Connie Lush and Neil Campbell, the latter two of whom performed between the starter and main course.
And they more then held their own against the American stars, with an exquisitely slow and heartfelt Eternal Flame which was a tribute to the Hillsborough victims, and then a great gospel number.
They were followed by Liverpool singer/pianist Victoria Sharpe who was also brilliant and kept us all entertained throughout the meal.
The evening was organised to highlight the cathedral as a venue for events and the fact it takes a staggering £4,000 a day just to keep the building open.