One El of a show

ELTON JOHN, SECC, Glasgow

"THIS one's for Pearl & The Puppets and The Dykeenies," declares Sir Elt before a belting version of Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me. "They'll be playing T In The Park . . . and they'll bring the sunshine!"

It's just one of the reminders in a 25-song, two-and-a-half hour set that, despite his huge success, he can still connect with a crowd.

A dazzling display delivers amped-up hits like Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting and Crocodile Rock, as well as heart-tugging ballads like Daniel and Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word. And he STILL finds time to sign autographs from the stage. A treat from beginning to end.

DAVID MORRICE

BRUCE and JAMIE WATSON, Rockers, Glasgow

BIG Country's other guitar hero has dusted off the roots of their sound to build an impressive set of Springsteen-ish anthems and punk-fuelled gems.

Aided by teenage son Jamie - who's clearly picked up the DNA of his dad's six-string wizardry - he powers through impressive new songs like The River Stays The Same and Dakota Sunset.

There are some nods to the past, particularly cracking versions of Republican Party Reptile, What About Peace and In A Big Country, but the most moving is Go Now, a tribute to the late, great Stuart Adamson. Splendid stuff.

JAMES DOUGLAS

DE LA SOUL, HMV Picture House, Edinburgh

IT'S been 20 years since the rap trio's classic first album, 3 Feet High And Rising, yet they're still as exciting as ever.

Tonight they play nearly all that debut, with Me Myself And I and Magic Number the standouts. At times the night borders on the religious as grown men fall to the floor with their hands in the air, overpowered by the band's energy.

But most just bounce to the onslaught of hits including Saturday and Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey), which are hammered deep into the rib-cage. "We're the greatest rap group since Run DMC," hails Maseo. And y'know what? He has a point.

JAMIE CROSSAN

HOWARD ELIOTT PAYNE, Lemon Tree, Aberdeen

ARMED with just a guitar and a harmonica, the ex-Stands mainman delivers a captivating performance which is more Laurel Canyon than Liverpool.

Debut solo single I Just Want To Spend Some Time With You sounds like a Sutherland Brothers/Neil Young collaboration and warms the crowd up nicely.

Tracks like Come Down Easy and Walk By My Side are bluesy, roots-inspired affairs that let Howie show his considerable talents, including some great fingerstyle guitar. A cheeky Wayfarin' Stranger and cracking Danglin' Threads are perfect closers.

DAVE CRAIG

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