With a combined age of 145, this double-header performance by Daryl Hall, 78, and Glenn Tilbrook, 67, was always going to involve a stroll down memory lane rather than dancing in the street, but the veteran performers got an hugely appreciative Symphony Hall audience on their feet all the same.

Both men are better known as part of long-term double acts of course – Hall with John Oates (now permanently estranged, with lawyers involved), Tilbrook with Chris Difford as part of Squeeze (still a going concern) – but on this tour they each front the same (ie. Hall’s) six-piece house band, successfully recreating the feel of his online TV show Daryl’s House.

It all works beautifully, the consummate band and blues club vibe adding an undeniable ‘something' – as well as some fun – to the performances of both artists, with the band members’ pinpoint backing vocals especially useful subbing in for Hall’s declining voice. He understandably opts to skip some of the high notes and choruses of the big hits – Private Eyes a prime example – but none particularly suffer for it, with the likes of Maneater (an early highlight), Sara Smile and I Can’t Go for That (No Can Do) as close to the originals as you’re realistically gonna get more than 40 years on. Hall’s solo material stood up well too, including tracks from last year’s “still newish” D, and a rip-roaring tune dedicated to one-time collaborator Robert Fripp, sat across the aisle from me and reliably dressed in traditional waistcoat.

The ever-affable Tilbrook is as reliable a performer as you’ll find, and his opening set, weighted heavily in favour of solo material, was a something of a revelation. Opting for bluesy-style readings of lesser-known songs suited the atmosphere perfectly and also gave him a rare chance to display his electric guitar chops throughout, though the Squeeze numbers not surprisingly drew the biggest cheers.

Tilbrook reappeared on stage for Hall’s encore, which saw the pair teaming up for One On One, Pulling Mussels (From the Shell) and a rousing cover of ‘Philly sound’ classic Bad Luck, originally a hit for Harold Melvin. You Make My Dreams brought the show to a close – as well as the room to its feet one last time – and while the ‘come true’ refrain might have been omitted from the title it can’t have been lost on anyone who witnessed this fine night of live R&B.

4 stars

Reviewed by Steve Adams at Symphony Hall on Wednesday 21 May.