The massive audience in Plymouth Pavilions took a step back in time with one of the finest voices of the 80s/90s.

The audience were ready for the great Marti Pellow, but first they were treated to an excellent warm up act.

John and Wayne with their backing singer performed a great accoustic set

The evening started with a great new talent called 'John & Wayne'. Fears that they would be singing Country & Western were soon cast aside.

Here was a duo who wrote about life's experiences. Driving over a road sign to Coventry, staying in a dodgy bed-sit and almost killing Keith with a scary screw gun highly amused the audience.

Look out for them, here are two singer songwriters who are a breath of fresh air in an increasingly chart dominated boy/girl band world.

Marti Pellow, former lead singer of Wet Wet Wet and now a successful solo artist in his own right bounced on to the stage at quarter to nine on Thursday night.

Charismatic on stage

He took the audience back to the Wets 'Popped In, Souled Out' album with 'Wishing I Was Lucky' and 'Sweet Little Mystery'.

The amazing voice (which is now even better) the cheesy grin, and groovy dancing were still there and Marti impressed the audience (of mainly women!) with a mix of solo hits, and classics from The Wets.

Even the hits you may have forgotten; 'Lip Service' and 'Don't Want To Forget Me Now', sent the audience into a nostalgia frenzy.

The music still sounded fresh and vibrant as if we were hearing it for the first time, and yet it was reassuringly familiar.

Marti Pellow

It was the start of Marti's tour yet he commanded the stage with renewed confidence, and no apparent first night nerves.

The hits continued for an hour and a half before Marti said 'Goodnight'. The place erupted with stamping feet and deafening applause. This continued for five minutes before Marti returned, dressed in a smart suit.

The scene was now set for an unexpected twist to the evening's entertainment. Marti said he was going to sing some of the songs he heard while growing up. Out came the double-bases, and suits and in came the swing.

Marti Pellow on a recent tour

A slightly surprised but appreciative audience were treated to an unseen side of Marti's talents, and his voice adapted well to sing the songs that will forever be associated with The Rat Pack and other legendary singers from the past.

Marti's success in the musical 'Chicago' had clearly boosted his confidence in singing in a swing style. He carried it off with real style.

Then it was back to the 90s with a song that seemed to be number one for an eternity, and at the time was reported to have haunted the members of Wet Wet Wet.

Marti relaxes between tours

'Love Is All Around' remains to this day a favourite with the fans, and however Marti may have felt about the song years ago , on Thursday night he sang it with a real passion that enthralled the audience.

All too soon the concert was over, but Marti and his band offered great value for money performing a memorable set, lasting two and a half hours and covering many musical boundaries.

What's the betting that Marti will be releasing a dedicated Swing album in the near future. This reviewer believes it would be a real shame if he didn't.