NEIL Sedaka was given a rapturous reception at York Barbican on Saturday evening. Before he came on, a video screen played clips of his songs and their interpretations by some of popular music's biggest stars: Elvis, Queen, Abba, Elton John and Tom Jones, to name a few.

Sedaka's extensive back catalogue was delivered by the man, solo and seated at a grand piano. The set highlight was a medley of his early hits including Oh Carol and the wonderfully infectious Calendar Girl.

"I'm so proud of being part of the history of American rock'n'roll," he said, cheerfully, before going on to deliver more world-famous songs such as Laughter In The Rain, Solitaire and Is This The Way To Amarillo, which he wrote with Howard Greenfield, his late writing partner of 30 years. Sedaka's royalty cheques must be a wonder to behold.

Sedaka is a man who relishes his own career success, but moments of self-deprecating humour made the crowd laugh. Talking of a Broadway musical based on his life and music, he joked: "Tom Cruise will play me."

The songs played on simple emotion, jolly ditties that speak of love, fortitude and commitment, and at times veered towards schmaltzy, but the audience lapped it up.

Sedaka is now 75 and this may well have been his final show in York, but the audience, who were on their feet at the end, would love to see him return.

- Miles Salter