A RETURN to his adopted home city proved a triumphal one for one Graham Nash as he guided an enthralled audience on a tour through a career spanning over 50 years at the heart of rock and roll.

Backed by long time collaborator Shayne Fontayne, he moved seemlessly through the decades kicking off with the Hollies' hit Bus Stop, taking us on a ride on the Marrakesh Express, throwing in plenty of his work with Crosby Stills Nash and Young along the way and also showcasing tracks from his new solo album This Path Tonight.

At 74 that golden voice shows no signs of ageing, soaring beautifully and easily when required.

Nash was a most genial host almost seeming humbled by the rapturous reception every song received.

Each number was introduced with a short story or anecdote and for many long-time fans the whole thing took on a semi-religious experience, fitting really given the Albert Hall's previous life as the Methodist Central Hall.

The prog-rock like Winchester Cathedral benefitted greatly from Fontanye's fabulous guitar work - indeed his contribution throughout either on guitar or counter harmonies was one of the main highlights of the evening.

Creatively, the songs from This Path Tonight which were given an airing demonstrated that Nash has lost none of his powers as a writer with the autobiographical Myself At Last being particularly effective.

But it was the classics such as Our House (dedicated to Joni Mitchell) and Teach Your Children which really got the audience singing along and standing to applaud.

It may have been May in Manchester but with Nash at the helm it could just as easily have been California in the early Seventies at times.

A powerful rendition of Chicago had everyone singing We Can Change the World and Nash, you feel, still believes in the power of music to do just that.

A special night with a special performer.