Glenn Tilbrook

RICHARD BALLS

> Norwich Arts Centre

Girls from Clapham, clubroom locker keys, behind-the-chalet clinches and slap and tickle.

These and other highlights from Squeeze's songbook of warts-and-all love affairs and kitchen sink mini-dramas came from the pen of Chris Difford, and it was his best buddy Glenn Tilbrook who gave us those sing-along-in-the-pub tunes.

Much troubled water has since flowed under the Difford & Tilbrook bridge, and now into his second solo album, the mop-haired singer is demonstrating his own lyrical prowess.

Chris Holland (Jools' brother) having been marooned in traffic on his way to the venue, Tilbrook weighed in with two glorious acoustic sets and topped off an entirely intimate night by getting up on a chair in the bar during the interval to perform raucous versions of Goodbye Girl and Tempted.

With only a guitar and cans of Red Stripe for company, he reminded an enthusiastic crowd that he is not only a supreme songwriter, but also an awesome guitarist.

Genitalia of a Fool and Untouchable – tracks from his new album Transatlantic Ping Pong – were among the highlights.

But it was his searing renditions of Take Me I'm Yours, Melody Motel, Black Coffee In Bed, Hourglass and Up the Junction that really lifted the mood, proving that as far as this pop genius is concerned, the past has been bottled and labelled with love.