The shock of thick curls, drooping moustache and puppy dog eyes which gave character to his sentimental songs of 1970s teenage love may now be but a memory but after several years off stage, Dean Friedman is ever the Rumpled Romeo.

There was no mistaking his distinctive singing voice. On piano and guitar, Friedman made his repertoire sound as vibrant as when the songs were written.

The ambience was personal, akin to listening to him playing in his front room as an invited guest. We were a captive audience, singing along to Lucky Stars as though it was today’s hit and not 30 years old.

Just about every song was a classic, most of them nostalgic for the late 1970s and 1980s – Ariel came out in 1977 and Well, Well Said The Rocking Chair – a compilation featuring its title track Lydia with S&M, Lucky Stars and Shopping Bag Ladies – in 1978.

But this wasn’t just a trip down memory lane. With the benefit of maturity, the songs were revealing of the wry humour and acute perception of their very likeable creator.

Friedman’s lyrics aren’t complex – the Macdonalds girl is an “angel in a polyester uniform” – but his slightly tongue-in-cheek rendition of Lucky Guy surely resonated with every man in the audience who has tried to win back the humour of their partner, and would have touched the heart of every woman.

Special mention must be made of Attila the Stockbroker’s energetic violin accompaniment to the hilarious A Baker’s Tale.