IT was like a home-coming show when Irish singer-songwriter Christy Moore played to a packed Philharmonic Hall.

He loves the acoustics there and they love him back.

Sporting his trademark black t-shirt and with arm aloft he said it was truly great to be back at the beautiful venue.

For the next two hours - without an interval - he presented a gig for eveyone fo fans old and new.

Moore the merrier.

He has a live album out to sing about, called On the Road.

And we were treated to many of the 24 songs from this retrospective collection.

His easy chat and affable personality make you feel like you are meeting up with an old family friend.

He is a sublime natural storyteller.

The soccer-loving star spoke of Tranmere reaching the playoffs and Steven Gerrard taking over at Glasgow Rangers.

He knows his audience.

He spoke warmly about his inspirational absent musician friends and happy times in Liverpool.

Christy, aided by guitarist Declan Sinnott, percussionist Jim Higgins and Cathal Hayden on banjo, only stood up once for a tale about a drunken weekend in Amsterdam.

There was plenty of light and shade with Black is the Colour and the hilarious I Hate Politicians.

He calls the latter part of his concerts the jukebox.

Every show is different as he changes the set list to suit the mood.

But there's plenty of classics to dip into such as: Ordinary Man, Missing You, Voyage, Ride On and Quiet Desperation to name a few gems.

There were also two cover versions, including the Ian Prowse anthem Does This Train Stop at Merseyside and The Pogues' timeless song Fairytale of New York.

He ended with a rousing version of The Leaving of Liverpool.

His arm aloft once more, he bade us farewell until the next time he comes home.

Masterclass - five stars

This show is on tour