PAOLO NUTINI, Scotland’s award-winning soul singer, was warmly welcomed by thousands of excited fans at York’s recently reopened Barbican Centre.

With expectations high, Paolo had a lot to deliver, and he did not disappoint.

For starters, we were treated to Mancunian support act Josephine, whose sweet, upbeat, rhythmic and funky tunes were well received, and rightly so.

One of her tunes A Freak A, written and produced with Leo Abrahams (Brian Eno, Grace Jones) was a definite winner, and one to recommend.

However, when main act Paolo opened with Jenny Don’t Be Hasty, the crowd erupted and it wasn’t long until his second tune, Ten Out Of Ten, got the crowd pulsating, a great sight to see from the balcony.

More favourites, including Candy, Alloway Grove, These Streets, Last Request and New Shoes were belted out with power, style and oodles of charm.

Paolo is obviously at ease with his talent, and he had the crowd in the palm of his hand.

Unexpected treats included a cover of MGMT’s Time To Pretend, enjoyable but clearly not as much appreciated as perhaps High Hopes, which had the audience singing their hearts out.

Ending on a high note, and with time seeming to have melted away, Paolo granted our last request by coming back on stage, not once, nor twice but with four more songs – to a very happy crowd.

He has fantastic ability and style, mixed with an attractive charisma making you come back for more, and more and more and more...