AS a committed fan of original band and artists, it’s not often that a tribute or sound-a-like comes around that is worth taking notice of – in fact I can name them using my fingers and having some left over.

Of course, we love people who keep the music of bands that have split or artists who have passed on alive, and one such artist is Toni Lee.

Chatham-born Toni is the voice of the much-missed Karen Carpenter and her We’ve Only Just Begun show is about to head to Bolton next week.

“It’s not exactly a tribute show,”she said. “We try to recreate a Carpenters’ concert using authentic costumes and a live band.”

Toni got into the music at an early age.

“My dad was touring the States with his band Vanity Fare and he sent my mum an album and with it was a love letter saying that she should listen to the record as it was by a band who was becoming big in America and he thought they would be very successful.”

The album in question was Close To You by The Carpenters.

“I was about seven at the time and that song always reminds me of my childhood,” said Toni.

Toni believes that there is still something special about the music produced by Karen and Richard Carpenter.

“There’s a magic quality about their songs,” she said. “There is real emotion in the lyrics and Richard Carpenter’s arrangements are pure genius.

“But for me, the best part is Karen’s voice, it’s just… well, you can’t not like it.”

Recreating THAT voice on stage would deter many artists but Toni - a professional singer for more than 25 years - didn’t even consider herself as a sound-alike until fans pointed it out.

“When I did some Carpenters songs in my solo act, loads of people came to me to say that I really sounded like Karen and I should have a go on the Stars In Their Eyes show,” she said.

Toni successfully applied for the TV show.

“I was in series 16, the last one, hosted by Cat Deeley,” she said.

Sadly, she didn’t win, beaten by a 17-year-old who was Sarah Brightman.

“After the show the musical director wrote to me to tell me that all the production team were blown away by my performance.”

Following the TV performance, Toni then decided that she could do a bit more with Karen.

She was given the chance to join a new Carpenters show over in Ireland.

“I flew out that night. I did the show and not long after was offered the part. This was over five years ago and my dream had come true.”

The show itself covers the whole of The Carpenters’ career with over 22 hits including the likes of Close To You, We’ve Only Just Begun and Only Yesterday.

“We also have videos and photos as a backdrop for each song,” she said.

“For the songs themselves, I go into Karen’s character, but in between songs I’m Toni Lee, with my own voice – no American accent – talking about the songs and perhaps a little trivia.”

Toni has released her own single, Falling For Love, which also has a Carpenters’ connection.”

“The song was written by Ronnie D’Addario and passed to The Carpenters who had started work on it. I think they had recorded some guide vocals but then Karen died and it never got finished,” said Toni.

“I heard about this and asked Ronnie if I could record it. I sent him some of my stuff and he agreed. I have given it a modern twist, but it’s still typical Carpenters.”

“What’s really great is people who actually saw The Carpenters in concert saying that the show is just like them.”

“There’s only one Karen, and to be compared to her is fantastic.”

We’ve Only Just Begun, Albert Halls, Bolton, Thursday, September 12. Details from 0843 2080 500 or www.alberthalls-bolton.co.uk