"Best current British blues singer I know." – The words of BBC 6 Music's Tom Robinson who has long given a nod of approval to the work of this singer-songwriter. Melissa James is, however, much more than a blues singer.

In summer 2015, intuition guided Melissa's creative decision of recording her second album, Stripped Back, in a pared down setting. Her naked voice intimately placed against the backdrop of just Tom Gamble's guitar or the piano played by Arthur Lea. All this gave space for her own voice and plight to clearly emerge and from this rose the concept of SING4SANE – a Big Sing and mental health initiative in which Melissa would extend invitations to anyone who wanted to sing with her to come and do just that. People from all walks of life stood alongside her in public spaces, and during her concert performances to sing on stage. The first of these Big Sings happened in February 2016.

As the charitable initiative created another recording of Live Again as a Big Sing single for SANE mental health charity, Melissa held further SING4SANE events and performances.  All the while, Stripped Back remained on the backburner and never officially released. "When I went into the studio to record the songs for 'Stripped Back' I thought the process would be easy.  A launch was planned for November of the same year. I was completely unprepared for all that transpired." 

Returning to The Troubadour to celebrate the album's official release, Melissa is joined by her guitarist Richard Bolton and guests for this special performance.