John Otway: Cluny 2, Newcastle

'I had my first hit in 1977, that means I've been a pop star for a long time," and with that opening statement Otway bust in to Really Free, a classic song from the heady days of punk rock. Otway, of course, was the more sophisticated end of the New Wave movement with intelligent lyrics, beautiful tunes and a tongue-in-cheek style that has made him a cult hero to tens of thousands up and down the country.

Then we were treated to Beware of the Flowers (cause I'm sure they're gonna get you, yeah), the B-side of that first hit; a song, he assures us, sold as many records as the A-side. If there was a Rock & Roll Hall of (Un)Fame Otway would be the first person initiated. He's still a great lyricist, making great music, like Somewhere, the first of four new songs he featured from a forthcoming CD.

Otway either performs alone, with his 1977 mucker Wild Willy Barrett or with the Big Band, a four-piece whose line-up hasn't changed since 1993. It Was great to see him with the latter; being a tight outfit, they can accommodate Otway's entertaining eccentricities.

Of course we heard the second top ten hit Bunsen Burner (from 2002) and classics like Cheryl, Can't Complain, Josephine and Geneve but then we were all-too-soon at the encore. Self effacing as ever, he reasoned he hadn't done a new album for 10 years because of one reason...lack of demand. This new CD could be Otway: The Return, although with packed-out tours and a recent hit film the genius that is Otway has, thankfully, never really been away.

Ed Waugh