ATTIRED in a stetson and a red scarf, Tom Russell was playing the part of cowboy well on Monday evening at Pocklington Arts Centre.

The 67-year old American troubadour, who has gained a reputation as a songwriter par excellence, spent the first half discussing and singing songs from The Rose Of Roscrae, his sprawling new double album that explores the historical and musical connections between Ireland and America. "It's kind of like Les Miserables in cowboy hats," the singer joked.

Russell, who clearly enjoys being the centre of attention, talked at length about musical heroes and cultural connections between the two countries. If he wasn't such a charismatic person, and so engaging, it would have felt less like a concert and more like a lecture.

The ballads were well performed but the most applause came for the more up-tempo numbers, such as He Wasn't A Bad Kid, When He Was Sober. The set closer, Tonight We Ride, was a witty take on Western cliches.

The second half drew heavily on Russell's brilliant 2009 album, Blood And Candlesmoke, one of the best singer-songwriter releases of the past ten years by any artist.

Songs such as Guadalupe and Nina Simone show how good Russell is at what he does:  intelligent, melodious, and with a talent for terrific lyrics (he's also written a novel and various essays on the American West).

Russell stood back to allow his Italian sidekick, Max De Bernardi, play a solo guitar piece of unparalleled brilliance. It would have been great to have heard more from Mr Bernardi, who said very little, perhaps knowing his place alongside a man with a strong ego.

"Most stories involve a man walking into a desert or a stranger arriving in town," Russell said at one point. This stranger in town made an impression with his considerable talents. Russell has made numerous visits to the region over the years; let's hope he comes back.