WATCHING and listening to someone make and sing music can be great fun. When that someone is genuinely gifted it takes the experience to another level.

As I marvelled at the performance of Lil' Dave Thompson I knew I was in the presence of someone with a huge talent. This man, from Hinds County, Mississippi, playing his Strat electric guitar and singing songs about life in the delta, richly entertained all those people lucky enough to be at Marygate.

I just sat there enthralled and let that mellow smooth soulful voice and music wash over me. It was simply a pleasure.

Lil' Dave is one of the new generation of Blues artists. Following in the steps of the greats, he has been likened to Albert King and there is something in that. The playing of Stevie Ray Vaughn and Robert Cray is reflected in his guitar work, but the man also has his own unique captivating style.

Dave swears by WD 40 and claims a liberal spraying of the liquid on his guitar strings makes it easier to slide up and down the board. As I watched Dave play there was no sticking or slipping - it must work!

Lil' Dave is something of a comeback kid, who in fact has never been away. His first CD release in 1996, on the marvellously-named Fat Possum Label, was greeted with universal acclaim in the world of blues, but it was to be another five years before Dave got back in the studio.

In the meantime, Dave just kept plugging away, never losing faith in his ability or giving up on his music.

His most recent recordings have been for JSP Records, a UK label based in London.

This York gig was Dave's first ever visit to the UK. He looked a tired man, as he sat quietly waiting to go on stage - not surprising considering the journey he had just undertaken: from the USA via Norway and a ferry trip to Newcastle.

Functioning on only two hours sleep, it would have been no shock if the show had bombed, but as soon as Dave got on stage he came alive and showed why he is so highly regarded.

Dave's singing is smooth and assured, but it's the guitar playing that is something else again. The man can play! Time and time again he thrilled the audience with guitar playing right out of the top drawer.

Solidly supported by a mad drummer, announced as the Blues Viking, who seemed to be drumming a fish barrel, and an American bassist who was smoking the biggest cigars I have ever seen, Lil' Dave played a wonderful set of covers and original material.

Stand-out numbers included Stormy Monday, Kansas City and Dave's own interpretation of Ain't No Sunshine. The title track of Dave's last album, C'Mon Down To The Delta, brought particular applause.

Updated: 09:20 Friday, July 02, 2004