"Fish or Herring?" the usher asked as we arrived at Komedia, a reference to the fact that comedian Richard Herring was performing at the downstairs venue.

It was definitely Fish on the menu as far as I was concerned.

Although the charismatic singer hasn't seriously troubled the hit parade since a string of hits while a member of progrock outfit Marillion in the 1980s - Kayleigh being the most recognisable - the Scot had lost none of his power and craft.

Playing a selection of tracks from previous albums and new one 13th Star, Fish, who says he acquired the nickname because he spent so much time reading in the bath (but whose real name is Derek Dick - go figure), performed like a man possessed to a room packed with enthusiastic "fish heads".

Backed by a highly-competent band, his material was a heady and often epic new age Celtic rock, although it's easy to identify the Genesis influence throughout his career.

My companion, who hadn't heard of him until then, suggested that if the same songs were performed by a pretty 20- something, they would be lauded as the next big thing.

Be this as it may, it was good to see time hasn't diminished one of rock's truly original campaigners.

Cod bless, and goodnight.