THIS was a fittingly soulful end to this ever-interesting year of house concerts, by stealth becoming the region’s best venue to truly listen.

Chris Helme has led his public a wayward dance since his 90s brush with fame. The only constant has been that voice; truly up there with the greats. Yet for much of the intervening years, the singer has not had the material that talent cries out for. His Yorkshire country blues just a shade too mellow and the stylings a touch too sophisticated. To be a big fish in York seemed to offer little comfort. By contrast, up and coming support, Girl Makes War was all ambition, instruments and personality; with a great knack of drawing the crowds into her world - which far outstrips the quality of her actual songs to date.

With long term accompanist Chris Farrell as his able, yet modest foil, Helme was not in a festive mood, yet he exuded warmth. Characteristically seated, in a Donny Hathaway cap, the setlist was drawn from his days with The Yards, and his more recent Americana. Like a slow moving summer river, the set ebbed and flowed (at around 75 beats per minute); the dark undercurrents just below the surface. The newer material from his forthcoming album was promising, full of bittersweet regret, while the ghosts of music past looked on benignly.

Helme seemed uncomfortable playing Seahorses material, and Blinded by The Sun was at odds with the rest of the show. Sadly he has never written anything that connects in the same way. Yet, the closing Be My Husband (Nina Simone after Jeff Buckley) was truly spell binding; passionate, keening, humorous and open - the sound of a singer who could take on the world, but only on his terms.