Q MAGAZINE said his work "deserves" to be heard so if you've been good for Santa this year treat yourself to a seat at Lancaster University tomorrow (Saturday, 8pm) when one of the biggest names on the Welsh music-scene appears, guitar in hand.

Winner of the best Male Solo Artist at the 2004 Welsh Music Awards, singer-songwriter Martyn Joseph is taking time out from his tireless charity work to play an acoustic set on the campus.

After taking Kendal's Brewery Arts Centre by storm with half of the award-winning folk duo, Show of Hands last year, Joseph has since released his 16th studio album Deep Blue tipped to be his best yet.

With a well-fed CV, he's appeared on BBC Radio 2's peak-time series on Singer/Songwriters alongside the likes of Elvis Costello, Richard Thompson and Mary Chapin Carpenter as well as snatching five Top 50 UK chart positions with such songs as Dolphins Make Me Cry, Working Mother and Let's Talk About It In The Morning.

Despite a healthy list of tours and appearances alongside global names - from Suzanne Vega and Chris De Burgh to Jools Holland, Art Garfunkel and even Celine Dion - Joseph's modest promise to remain grassroots with his work and keep it "all about the songs" seems to have paid off.

Playing tracks from Deep Blue as well as dipping back into his 20-year history, this entertaining and moving evening will see Joseph a patron of Advantage Africa and dedicated supporter of the Make Poverty History campaign and Christian Aid - deliver a mixture of improvisation, passion and emotion with his familiar one take and don't mess with it' sound.

Tickets sold out last year but there are some still available (from £10) by calling Martin or Nikki Woodhead on 01524-414043.

Don't kick yourself if you miss this gig Joseph is hoping to return to Kendal's Brewery in the New Year.