BBC 6 Music’s Tom Robinson, Q Magazine and Whispering Bob Harris have given Joseph glowing references for his performances.

Harris praised the “outstanding lyrical intelligence” of Joseph’s songs when he was voted Best Male Artist in the BBC Welsh Music Awards, while Q Magazine said his music had “depth, resonance and emotional punch”.

Robinson described Joseph as “one of the most charismatic and electrifying performers in Britain today”.

A Borders audience can form their own opinion when Joseph performs at the Wynd Theatre on Saturday, March 20, and TheSouthern has a pair of tickets to give away for his only scheduled Scottish show this year.

Joseph has had five top 50 hits – including Dolphins Make Me Cry and Please Sir – and has been in demand on both sides of the Atlantic for more than two decades, having been dubbed the Welsh Springsteen.

Already this year he has played 21 dates in Canada and US, and he has previously played alongside Grammy Award winning Ani DiFranco, Art Garfunkel and Jools Holland.

With his most recent album Evolved – which subtly deconstructs some of his favourite numbers and became MOJO’s folk album of the month in March last year – Joseph has developed into a consistent performer.

He is in demand, having sold out at the Millennium Centre in Cardiff last December and previously played in front of 5,000 people in the Royal Albert Hall.

Tickets cost £14 and are available from 01896 820028.

To win a pair of tickets to the gig, answer this question: What was the name of last album released by Martyn Joseph?

Email your answer with name, address, age and telephone number to siwatson@hotmail.com by Monday, March 1. Usual Southern rules apply.