A TAILORED frock coat may have replaced the silver capes, the blond locks may be slightly shorter and verging towards grey, the banks of synthesisers replaced by a grand piano but it's still the same Rick Wakeman.

The between-song banter is a mixture of music hall comedy and anecdotes from the road which, although hugely enjoyable, just serves as a starter to the sumptuous main course.

Wakeman, keyboard wizard with prog rock supergroup Yes, made history earlier this year when his Piano Portraits album became the first solo piano work ever to get into the top 10.

The Blackburn date was part of a UK tour celebrating the album's success and provided a marvellous snapshot of a national treasure.

In recent years, Wakeman has branched out and become a TV presenter, but it's sat at the piano that the genius really emerges.

From Morning Has Broken, for which he provided the exquisite keyboard on Cat Steven's hit version - and which, he revealed, he has never shown anyone else how to play it - through to the Yes classic Wonderous Stories, the evening was a journey through some of his favourite melodies.

A poignant moment was his tribute to David Bowie with Space Oddity flowing into Life on Mars, again he played on the original recordings, and his re-working of John Lennon's Help showcased the sad nature of the original song.

When he's in full flow, as on a memorable rendition of Summertime, or interpreting Swan Lake, it's hard to believe that the sounds you hear are the work on just one man.

Highlights - and there were many - included the Nursery Rhyme Concerto featuring classic nursery rhymes in the style of different composers including an hilarious Les Dawson interlude and an encore of Clair de Lune.

This was a hugely enjoyable night for fans and newcomers to Rick Wakeman alike. Some genuine laughs and exquisite musicianship - what more can you ask for?