Start to End: John Martyn's Solid Air @ Òran Mór, Glasgow, 23 Jan

It's 45 years since the release of John Martyn's seminal Solid Air, and just short of a decade since the death of the often troubled, though nonetheless iconic, singer-songwriter himself. Judging from this sold-out Celtic Connections show – the latest in a line of excellent Start to End performances – time has in no way lessened Martyn's appeal. Though the audience that packs out Òran Mór's beautiful auditorium space is predominantely an older crowd, the amount of younger faces also present confirms that Martyn's songwriting resonates across multiple generations.

Solid Air is considered a defining British record of the 1970s – a tough one to pull off, especially with Martyn's distinctive vocal timbre. The opening (and title) track could be a particularly difficult one to emulate, but within a few seconds of Sam West's rich vocals echoing out across the venue, it's clear the Glaswegian singer-songwriter is a perfect match for Martyn's haunted tenor.

Over the Hill is tear-jearking in its delicate hopefulness; the same can be said for May You Ever, which prompts a singalong from the delighted audience. A group of peerless musicians, (made up of Craig McMahon and Martin Johnston of Pronto Mama, and Joe Rattray of Admiral Fallow, plus a rotating cast of extras) the Start To End crew imbue an infectious funk energy into the album's more upbeat jazz moments, and allow West's vocals to shine in its more reflective ones. It's over far too soon – as West laughs when referencing Martyn's notorious excesses, "if you smoke too much weed in the 70s, you only write nine songs" – but every moment of this captivating performance breathes new life into Martyn's legacy.