Clearly delighted to be singing “in such wonderful acoustics – better than when we played St Paul’s Cathedral”, folky fourpiece Coope, Simpson, Fraser and Freya featured festive carols with beautiful harmonies.

In association with Southampton’s Fo’c’sle Folk Club, this was a heartwarming concert, a reminder of the true spirit of Christmas in a sea of modern commercialism.

With the Turner Sims Concert Hall decorated with a single, simple, understated tree, Coope, Simpson, Fraser and Freya delivered a similarly subtle show of precise vocal harmonies and atmospheric instruments.

Barry Coope and Lester Simpson play keyboards, accordion and ukulele, supplying strong bass vocals; Fi Fraser and Jo Freya play violin and clarinet, singing high and tight.

Opening with the traditional A Saviour Was Born and the timeless Past Three O’Clock, On A Cold And Frosty Morning, this talented quartet delighted the audience with the intricate counterpoint a cappella harmonies of Now The Season Of The Year.

Between numbers, the genial patter is informative, humorous and endearing.

Mixed with the traditional While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night, and Ding Dong Merrily On High, was a biting modern song criticising the plethora of contemporary Christmas house lights – My 50-Kilowatt Tree – with the lyric “...like downtown Las Vegas”.

The festive finale featured some Cornish wassailing with folk club sing-a-longs.

As Southampton shivered in a torrential downpour, Coope, Simpson, Fraser and Freya, pictured right, helped to “Drive The Cold Winter Away”.