A hit album in the US may have silenced some critics but Joss Stone's career wobble back home has still been impossible to ignore.

Even partying with the princes at the Diana concert was never going to completely restore her reputation. So this performance, following The Simpsons premiere, may turn out to be a crucial turning point.

Gallery: Joss Stone's O2 gig in pictures

Ironically, Indigo felt a bit soulless and I was compelled to abandon my seat in the gods where the big screen was obscured by the lighting. Downstairs was better, with clear sound but little genuine buzz. Nevertheless, Stone once again lived up to her hype as a soul sensation, eschewing the funk flabbiness that can spoil this music.

With a horn section inherited from James Brown, a pair of diva-like backing singers and a mountainous keyboard player who also provided harmonies, her band soon established their prowess on the opening Girl They Won't Believe It. The 20-year-old Devonian, barefoot as usual, was clearly still a bit loopy, though, and her off-the-cuff credulity was often worthy of Homer Simpson himself.

"Ooh! Ooh! I love this tea," she started singing after fetching a mug from the side of the stage. She said her favourite colour was purple (like some of her hair), and started speaking like Ali G ("Aiight!").

Pop stars should be allowed to talk nonsense, although her introduction to Music, co-written by Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean, tested that. "I realised the most unconditional love I've felt in my life from anything is from music," she said. "It's not going to run away or not call me back!"

This was a focused performance with Stone combining effectively with the band on her songs and covers such as Super Duper Love.

On the rollicking Tell Me 'Bout It, she introduced each member as they added bursts of Aretha Franklin's Rock Steady and Gnarls Barkley's Crazy. Her voice may not be as unique as some have claimed, but it can still stop you in your tracks.

For the encore, she threw carnations into the crowd and left the stage to her band during Bob Marley's No Woman, No Cry. But by then the job was done. Joss Stone is back on song.