The soulful survivor

Two years later, he has a new album - mostly recorded before his hospitalisation - and he's back on stage. So far, so miraculous, but, despite his plainly sincere assertion that "I'm enjoying this gig immensely" and the manner in which he couldn't stop himself laughing like Basil Brush's giggly cousin between songs, I'm not wholly sure whether performing is the ideal way forward for him right now, despite the wishful thinking of a crowd willing him to be further into his recovery than, for the moment, he actually is.

The effects of Collins's condition were plain as he sat before his lectern and sang his 50-minute set, accompanied a band led by former Aztec Camera leader Roddy Frame: he cannot walk unaided and the right side of his body is seemingly partially paralysed.

Although a wretched, ear-splitting sound distorted everything, as Collins smiled his way through his best known Orange Juice songs What Presence?, the deliciously languid Rip It Up and even a punky Blue Boy, his voice was shorn of its pre-illness wry warmth.

There is always hope though and the man who had surprised the medical profession surprised the Arts Theatre shortly before the end when Collins, accompanied only by Frame, unveiled a brand new song (the first written since his return from hospital) provisionally titled Some Sweet Day and, magically, Collins found his voice. When, clear and true, he sang "I've always been lucky in my life ... some sweet day we'll get there", it was as moving as anything I've ever seen. He hasn't beaten his body yet by any means - but he'll get there at his own pace and in his own time.

Forever Heavenly: Edwyn Collins, The Rockingbirds, Loose Salute
The Arts Theatre
Great Newport Street, WC2H 7JA