A RARE SIGHT, to be able to almost see the adoration an audience has for a performer. Or in this case a talented duo touring together for the first time and transporting the crowd back through the years.

To spin out careers over the decades takes more than talent, but an eye for an opportunity, and the pair are certainly are on to something – sharing the stage their material brought much needed light and shade.

Tom Paxton is the older partner, now a spritely 76, having first seen Ian perform when she was just 13. His brand of topical and comedy tunes interspersed with home spun wisdom hasn’t been attracting many new ears since the mid sixties, but his genial air and modest voice conceal an enduring songwriting talent.

The Last Thing On My Mind and Ramblin Boy took the audience to another time, and they sang along in appreciation. His songs for his daughters reached out to any father with half a heart. Robin Bullock carefully laced together the songs in the background on mandolin and guitar, particularly good on Did You Hear John Hurt?

Effortless on stage, Paxton towered about the truly tiny Janis Ian. Now white haired, her wit and command of the audience haven’t lessened one jot. Smart and funny, Ian’s songs were the highlights.

Her interracial debut, Society’s Child still resonates sadly now. Her voice remains pure, and deployed to devastating effect on Jesse and Bright Lights. Funny as hell between songs her stories looked back to the jazz age and to the present day with her humourous account of her own gay marriage.

Ian and Paxton are different in many respects, but what binds them is a genuine connection to the audience who responded in kind, creating a homely atmosphere that will linger long in the mind.