Graham Parker and Brinsley Schwarz: Brewery Arts Centre

Singer-songwriter Graham Parker had many hits and appeared on Top of the Pops but never really hit the big time on terms of the public's consciousness.

With a waspish delivery and some thought-provoking lyrics he and his band The Rumour fit well into the punk and new wave scene of the late seventies and early eighties.

Now 65, he has lost none of his vocal power and his performance at the Brewery with guitarist Brinsley Schwarz was polished and entertaining.

Parker played songs from throughout his 40-year-long career, including numbers from his first two albums Howlin' Wind and Heat Treatment.

But, for me, the highlights were those from the 1978 album Squeezing Out Sparks. Discovering Japan is a tour de force on record and Parker blasted out a strong and lively version at the Brewery.

Best of all was You Can't Be Too Strong, an emotive song delivered with passion and feeling.

Another highlight was Parker's Disney's America, written when there were plans to create a theme park on the site of a civil war battlefield in Virginia. Parker chatted charmingly between songs and Brinsley Schwarz supplied understated and tasteful accompaniment and took lead vocals on his own song You Miss Again.