SHE has one of the most powerful and emotive voices you’re likely to hear. And now Beth Hart is returning to the UK with her full band for a series of shows including a date at Blackpool Opera House next week.

For American blues rock powerhouse Beth, her live shows are all about making that special connection with her audience.

“You are always trying to make that soul connection with people, I can’t really describe it other than that,” she said. “I feel this real sense of connection with people and it’s a beautiful feeling.”

Beth first burst on to the scene in her early twenties when following a bet with a friend she entered a TV talent contest in America and won it and the £100,000 first prize.

But with the fame came the demons including depression and drugs.

It later transpired that Beth was bipolar but her condition had not been treated.

A series of acclaimed albums followed but Beth was still struggling to cope with the pressure.

Then salvation, in the form of her road manager Scott Guetzkow intervened. Beth’s condition was diagnosed and treated, she ditched the drugs for good and she and Scott were married, signalling the second coming of one of the great contemporary voices.

Blues legends Jeff Back and Joe Bonamassa have both worked with Beth.

“It is inspirational to see how humble they both are in what they both do and how hard they work as well,” she said.

“They both put a lot of effort into playing all the time and practicing and working on their craft and I love that. I feel like they don’t take it for granted at all, they really cherish it and that’s a pretty inspirational thing.”

Beth’s most recent album Fire on the Floor saw her getting some of the best reviews of her career and sold out dates across the UK.

“The audiences are really great there (in the UK) and I really enjoy playing there,” she said.

Beth did a select number of solo shows at the back end of last year but now returns with her full band and she has an interesting perspective on touring.

“The things I adore are to getting to play to people, to change up the set - we change it up every night,” she said. “It’s that challenge of remembering something that you pull out that you haven’t played for a couple of years. Even though we take it through in soundcheck, it’s still like ‘Oh my god, how badly am I going to screw this up?’ But I like that challenge.

“I love getting to have different food and getting to be around different people and different cultures and different ways people look at life. It’s really kind of helped me open up my mind and see the world from different perspectives. That’s a really cool thing,

“And then my band and crew are like family. I don’t have children or anything, so it’s like I get to have that feeling of family, when we’re out here.

“As for things I don’t like, sometimes I can get lonely.”

When she’s on the road Beth revealed that she and husband Scott relax on days off by shopping or visit museums and something she will certainly have chance to do in Blackpool - visiting the zoo.

“Really I am the happiest when I get to go to the zoo or when I get to go to the museum,” she said. “It’s just so wonderfully inspirational, so beautiful.”

Beth Hart, Blackpool Opera House, Thursday, April 26. Details from 0844 856 1111 or www.alttickets.com