Review: Ray Davies, Grand Opera House, York

1:20pm Saturday 5th May 2007

RAY DAVIES, one of the greatest songwriters to come out of the Sixties beat boom, really got the crowd going in this cosy theatre with his fine singing, guitar playing and engaging showmanship.

He played songs old and new; the latter well received - but it was The Kinks hits that got the joint jumping: Tired Of Waiting For You, Set Me Free, All Day And All Of The Night and a frenetic You Really Got Me. He even hinted that The Kinks might get back together.

His current band (drums, bass, keyboards and lead guitar) did a great job, playing with plenty of verve.

Davies is one of the great lyricists of his generation, having the ability to encapsulate the essence of Englishness in one verse.

Come Dancing celebrated the era of the big bands playing at countless Saturday night dances - the cradle of many a marriage. He conjured up an intimate interpretation of Village Green as a tribute to the broadcaster Ned Sherrin, who has been off the air due to ill health. Sunny Afternoon went down a storm, as did A Well Respected Man, with its timeless lyrics, Days and a raucous Dead End Street.

Davies himself has been convalescing in New Orleans after a robber shot him in the leg. His sojourn in the so-called Red Neck Riviera inspiring many new songs.

He introduced After The Fall as his own "redemption song" while Lonesome Train conjured up images of big delta skies.

Lola was saved for the encore; although there was no Waterloo Sunset - but then, the sun will never set on the legend that is Ray Davies.