A SONGWRITER’S songwriter, LA based Shane Alexander returned to York after a gap of four years.

Tipped in some quarters as a rising star, Alexander's performance had more of the quality of a wayfaring journeyman.

Now on to his fifth record, Alexander has patently road tested this material which was performed convincingly, without overdoing either the singing or the guitar playing. The glut of mid-tempo songs unfortunately blurred.

Clad in denim and looking not unlike Batman Christian Bale, he was an entertaining, if jet-lagged performer.

His songs are tailor-made for cover versions, with enough melody and structure to hit the mark, but leaving something missing.

Bizarrely, rappers cover his rhythmic song Feels Like The End, presumably as a compliment. In turn his cover of Tim Krekel's The Angel Share (a whiskey distillery term) was excellent.

Unlike opener Zac Ford, who marred his otherwise interesting set by trampling Smokey Robinson's Tracks Of My Tears into the dust.

Alexander’s relentless romanticism was readily apparent (he was en-route to perform at a wedding), Front Porch Serenade shone with optimism, while Good As Gold, conceived in less favourable circumstances fell somewhat short.

While the set lacked variety, Alexander made many friends at this intimate venue where you can see and hear every note; the perfect venue for heartfelt acoustic music.

His songs are artfully created, and Alexander's new material was among the best, so with a fair wind his next visit should be a must for any romantics still left.