A huge neon sign on the stage cleverly describes the current sell-out tour by one of the world's most successful singer-songwriters – Chris De Burgh.
It appears to say 'SOLO' but it also becomes 50 LO.
50 being an important milestone for this 76-year-old multi-talented troubadour.
Chris has been a stand-out star since his first album release in 1974.
A half-century of playing and recording now behind him. He says he has no intention of stopping.
Chris has a global fan base.
Since his first album Far Beyond the Castle Walls there have been a further 28 released.
He has sold 45 million albums and played near 4, 000 concerts.
In Liverpool – a city he loves – he read out a letter asking three questions of him: Is he still alive? Can he still sing? and does he miss the city?
'YES' is his answer to all three.
His voice is in fine form hitting all the high notes as shown on the appropriate hit Missing You.
He can switch from ballad to rocker with ease.
And it is a solo tour in every sense.
It's Chris on his own without a band just as he first set out to conquer the world playing guitar and piano.
But now he has some beautiful orchestral backing music tapes to use.
These arrangements come in very handy when he presents some of his melodic, catchy storytelling songs from his two musicals, Moonfleet and his current smash hit Robin Hood.
He still has the stories and anecdotes to tell.
And, of course, in concert his back-catalogue of charts hits – especially beautifully structured love songs – inspire audiences to join in.
There are ready made choruses for such rousing uptempo numbers as Don't Pay the Ferryman and High on Emotion.
And he always has an ace card with Lady In Red.
His powerful anti-war song Borderline deserved and received a standing ovation.
Spanish Train was soaring and for the classic A Spaceman Came Traveling he was joined by Liverpool singer Holly Lovelady .
The two hour 45 minute concert performance was sealed with Where Peaceful Waters Flow . . . or was it?
No. Out of the hat came Patricia the Stripper.
Yet again this artist gave a masterclass in knowing what his fans want coveted with love, fun and finesse.
VERDICT: Five Stars (One for every decade) Tour details from www.cdeb.com
