“I’ve built a career out of doing other people’s songs,” said Iain Matthews. He then played The Beatles Can’t Buy Me Love after two hour-long sets of almost entirely his own songs.

Matthews is 67, though that’s easy to forget. He is the Matthews of Matthews Southern Comfort who had a hit way back with Joni Mitchell’s Woodstock. The energy and passion is still there and his fine voice sat at the heart of his performance.

He began with Time Zone Cowboy from his recent album The Art of Obscurity, his first solo album for ten years. Matthews joked that everyone who knew him was in the room, implying an obscure career.

Now a Dutch resident, he has lived in and toured America for some 30 years. Matthews is clearly very serious about his craft and his lyrics reflect this.

Local legend Andy Roberts joined Matthews on half a dozen songs towards the end and the fire really came to life. They were once in the band Plainsong together and their harmonies immediately hit the spot. Roberts’s guitar gave Matthews’ voice more to play with and the songs greater depth.

This was an enjoyable evening with a true troubadour.