Calum Macdonald's verdict: 4.5 stars

He wasn't the only bald one in the arena. More than a few of the audience boasted receding hairlines and/or a smattering of grey. And that was just the men.

But what united James Taylor and an adoring Hydro tonight was that - mature music, left to age over four decades and still sounding as good...if not better.

The first half of a two-hour show was a visit through the best of 1968 to 2014, with classics like Carolina in my Mind and Sweet Baby James sandwiching new songs and a cover of Buddy Holly's Every day.

Throughout, Taylor's well-named Legendary Band - including drummer Steve Gadd and jazz pianist Larry Goldings - demonstrated virtuosity with a purity that slayed some of the demons of the Hydro's allegedly questionable acoustics.

But if this was Taylor's first solo tour since 1976, it wasn't all about serious musicianship. Only a supreme craftsman could introduce a "groove song" which was lyrically weak and then underscore the point by beaming the (truly crap) words on to the big screens.

Taylor, now 66, was clearly having a ball and the second half was held up while he shook hands and signed autographs at the front of the stage.

A few looseners, then it was into the promised barrage of hits: Handyman, Fire and Rain, Mexico, Up on the Roof and Your smiling face.

Long before the end, one of the oldest mosh pits seen at the Hydro had formed.

And what an encore: How sweet it is, You've got a friend, and an acapella Wild mountain thyme.

Sweet James, sweet. Glasgow says thanks back.