ATCHOOOOOOO - is all it seems to take these days for pop stars to flounce off to their sick beds, cancelling concerts and entire tours at the drop of a snotty hankie.

Ibrahim Ferrer on the other hand, despite being in his mid-70s and suffering a terrible cold, wouldn't dream of disappointing his fans.

Mopping his nose with a perfectly folded white hankie and sipping water between songs to ease a nasty cough, the Cuban veteran is made of far stronger stuff than that.

He is, after all, the fairytale story of the Buena Vista Social Club, who, as a retired singer, was surviving selling lottery tickets and shining shoes until he was invited to join those legendary sessions.

He is now a multi-award-winning global legend who, despite his years and increasing frailty, still sings with a captivating passion - even when he is feeling a little under the weather.

An extraordinary man, Ferrer was backed by an extraordinary band - 14 of them in fact, most dressed in Havana-style pin-striped suits.

These musicians are the future stars of Buena Vista and, unlike some ensemble's egos, don't clash - they simply come together to form an unstoppable spirit.

A supportive father figure, Ferrer and the Social Club are constantly developing new celebrities such as guitarist Manuel Galban and bass player Orlando "Cachaito" Lopez, who have both recorded impressive solo albums.

But the most obvious rising star was ace pianist Roberto Fonseca whose furious fingerwork was a blur to behold.

At times wildy inventive and at others exquisitely intimate, Fonseca looks set to take the Club into an exciting new era.

Alongside great talent was also a sense of fun, with Guajiro Mirabal on trumpet and Jesus "Aguaje" Ramos on trombone managing some cheeky dance routines between rousing solos.

While Ferrer spent most of the evening seated, Cuban rhythms were brought alive by the female keyboardist and percussionist, who shook, shimmied and kicked her heels to the feverish beats.

Part of the Mi Sueno - A Bolero Songbook Tour, the concert's repertoire included some of Cuban music's most important and well-known songs, as well as some of Ferrer's personal favourites and, of course, the songs which have made him an international star.

His emotional attachment to these songs was undeniable and the pure emotion in his delivery was beautiful.

Although obviously ill, Ferrer came back for three standing ovations before finally shuffling off to bed with our heartfelt applause ringing in his ears.