Anyone tiring of current pop trends, that ghastly fusion of ersatz R&B and soul-less soul manufactured by reality television, would have found the perfect antidote in the great British honky tonk duo Chas & Dave.

Charles Hodges and Dave Peacock were much in demand as session musicians in the 1960s before they teamed up to rediscover their musical roots.

Their distinctive English character is found in only in a small group of British acts, from George Formby through Ian Dury, The Squeeze and The Smiths.

They borrow from American sounds, but are not defined by them, which gives Chas & Dave a musical authenticity much admired by the likes of Hugh Laurie, Jools Holland and The Libertines.

The good news was that our cockney duo were still full of beans, performing a set that mixed their knees-up classics - Rabbit, which charted number six in 1986, remained astonishing - with a rich backlog of skiffle.

Nick Hodges, son of Chas, was a driving presence on drums, Dave Peacock was clearly enjoying himself, while the piano man Chas led the trio with his masterful piano and warm lead vocals.

The magic was in the harmonic banter between our heroes, best showcased by the timeless Sideboard Here.