PREACHING to the converted is rarely inspiring. As it turned out, it was perhaps the only off note in an engrossing two hour 30 minute concert by the 55-year-old Billy Bragg.

Purified in the flame of punk rock he may be, but Bragg is leaning heavily on the twang, less Essex and more overtly C/W (or more accurately “Americana; country music by people who like the Smiths”).

Assembling an excellent, road-tested band around him, they made the best of some pretty workmanlike material (Handyman Blues from his new Tooth & Nail record), but were on firmer ground ranging over his 30-year career. In particular, some of his Woody Guthrie and Wilco material, like California Stars, revelled in the band arrangements.

The solo segments showed why the audience were still there a generation and more on; the strident guitar, but above all the poetry and wit sunk deep into Levi Stubbs Tears and New England, while Sexuality even got some of the crowd dancing, after a fashion.

Unlike Bragg’s last York appearance, when he was in thrilling troubadour mode, Leeds saw a Bragg in a different light. His political side. It is a fair bet that most of his audience agree with his ideals, but his preaching became wearing. When he eased up on the polemic, he was a superb entertainer with a comedian’s timing and his trademark way with a tale.

Clearly inspired by the historical setting, Leeds’s beautiful town hall, Bragg’s early Between The Wars and the surprisingly affecting There Is Power In A Union rang true, above any passing fad. Made to last, like the erstwhile bard of Barking himself.