KING Creosote, who looks a little like Baldrick, sang first, offering quirky, darkish folk songs with a smattering of enjoyably foolish banter. Main man James Yorkston, who looks a little like TV's Frasier, was up next.

This collision of appearances gave an odd mental image to carry home from an evening of gentle, introspective modern folk music - Baldrick busking with Frasier.

Yorkston was without The Athletes, his band on his two full CDs, Moving Up Country and Just Beyond The River.

At first, he seemed hesitant and the Fibbers hubbub hardly helped: clinking glasses, doors slamming, a fruit machine bleeping irritatingly.

But gradually, he warmed up, even if he did apologise mid-song for fumbling during Moving Up Country.

He livened up considerably with a traditional song, Sir Patrick Spens, which he said he'd learned from a recording by Nic Jones, the York-based folk singer. Yorkston caught exactly the rhythmic, chunky guitar style Jones made his own.

Some of the songs wash over you pleasantly, but without leaving much behind.

On the albums, this is late-night, reflective music, just occasionally stirring itself into something more upbeat. Often, Yorkston's music remains the fruit of the gloom.

Late on, King Creosote returned to play accordion (and the fool) and Yorkston perked up even more, the pair of them singing together beautifully. They also messed around to amusing effect, with a spot of impromptu Donna Summer.

A quiet evening really caught fire by the end.

Updated: 09:42 Saturday, February 05, 2005