In the world where Simon Cowell decides who will be famous for the next 15 minutes, it is reassuring to find a 35-year CV, Mr Paul Carrack.

Looking more like a man turning up for a dominoes fixture in a borrowed suit, he is not quite, nor ever has been, the poster boy of the music world but it was clear for all to see why the theatre was full.

The older loyal following were in for a surprise. Gone was the little hat , the casual attire replaced with suits . The eight-piece band sounded more Curtis Mayfield than Mike & The Mechanics. This was a Hammond–heavy evening of powerful brass lines and faultless harmonies.

Ed Collins and Steve Beighton boxed well above the weight of a two-piece section with carefully crafted horn lines and phenomenal solos .

Carrack’s usual banter with the crowd was replaced with an urgency to play the many new songs on the first night of his tour.

With such a distinctive voice, many overlook his keyboard playing, having worked with Roxy Music, The Eagles, The Smiths , The Pretenders and for BB King and Elton John. The crowd were treated to flashes of brilliance on both piano and Hammond that more than explained his prestigious Christmas card list.

Alongside selections from his new album, I Know The Name, Carrack performed hits such as Silent Running, The Living Years, Tempted, Eyes Of Blue and his timeless Ace anthem How Long.

After a rousing standing ovation, Carrack effortlessly hit all the notes to lift the hairs on all 1,000 necks in the house with Marvin Gaye’s What’s Goin’ On?.

Carrack sits somewhere between Don Henley and Ray Charles, having been given a voice with a rich depth and sincerity with a melody. Unlike many of his peers, Carrack still loves it: he is still writing, still performing and still improving. Perhaps he’s not lLooking over his shoulder...