A soulful singer with a wicked sense of humour and 30 years of experience is hoping audiences will love her new twist on old hits.

Mari Wilson, aka The Neasden Queen of Soul, is performing tracks from her new album Cover Stories at a glamorous gig in Canada Water Culture Space on May 18.

The charismatic singer first broke through in 1982 with Just What I Always Wanted, sporting an enormously impressive hairdo.

Gone is Mari’s dizzyingly high trademark beehive but her enchanting voice, endearing personality and wit have firmly remained.

She told Vibe: “This new album is very intimate and acoustic.

“Sue my manager always says my gigs are like An Audience with because there is a lot of chat.

“It’s very much like being in my living room.

“I talk about anything, what was on the television last night or stories about my childhood – most of it is funny and self-deprecating.”

Mari’s upcoming performance will feature her version of Don’t Get Me Wrong, originally sung by Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders.

She added: “It’s one of my favourite records of all time.

“But my version is nothing like hers.

“I’ve always thought when it comes to doing covers it should not sound anything like the original, otherwise it would sound like bloody karaoke.

“I’ve never understood what pleasure it gives the artist, I don’t get it.

“So mine are all very, very different.”

Cover Stories has a rather melancholic, chilled out feel to it throughout.

Mari said: “I’m thrilled, I’m very proud of it.

“I think we’ve done something quite special.

“All my albums have always had a variety of songs in so much as fast, slow, but this is all chilled out – there’s no ‘here’s a fast one and here’s a Bossa Nova’.”

Mari’s album features unusual and unexpected covers including Disney Girls by Bruce Johnston and Everybody Needs a Holiday by Big Audio Dynamite.

However, she will also be singing her classic hits on the night, including Cry Me a River and Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps which she recorded for the TV series Coupling.

“People can leave their worries in the cloakroom and have an evening of escapism.” Mari said.

The show starts at 7.30pm.

For tickets visit thealbany.org.uk