So how would you define perfection?

A difficult and possibly impossible question to answer. For me, a Saturday evening in Penzance has just come about as close as I've been to knowing what that word really means.

It was a difficult decision to miss Bristol and head straight down to Cornwall to visit friends so I can't comment on events there but from what I was told, the venue yet again proved to be less than ideal.

My friends had already told me how good the Acorn was as a venue and immediately upon seeing the beautifully converted Methodist Chapel. I could sense this had the potential of being one of the better gigs of the tour and having had the privilege of being at both Leeds and Cambridge, I know the standard of the really good gigs is extremely high.

The main hall had a small stage, seats on the floor but tiered at the back and even a balcony. I doubt there wasn't anyone that got a great view. The bar was in another room underneath the main hall and the sound was piped into it so those who wanted to talk could still hear what was going on without disturbing anyone upstairs. And so the usual mad crowd of regulars who seem to delight in queuing hours before the doors open made another mad dash for the front row. Having secured the perimeter from intruders headed for the bar and settled down to wonder what would be in store for us this time. From the moment the first notes of Scarlet drifted from Marty's guitar into the auditorium I could sense we were in for something very special. Juliannes delightful voice sang the first words and the silence from the audience was incredible. It was like everyone had suddenly stopped breathing. Either that or they'd got up and left (but without making any noise). The setlist was the same as always but that's not a criticism, merely a statement of fact and helps reduce the amount I have to write. Each song was met with rapturous applause and then silence again so that every note, every nuance of Julianne's voice could be absorbed to it's fullest. Whether it was something to do with the chilled-out, laid back feeling you get in Cornwall or something else equally inspiring, Julianne was singing like I don't think I've heard her before. I know I've said that in some of my previous reviews but this truly was a stunning performance by any standard and I dare anyone to disagree and from the smile on her face I think she was feeling something special was happening too.

And that's not to detract from Marty or Andy. For those who think Marty makes mistake after mistake, I didn't notice any and if he doubts how people feel about him, the spontaneous applause both during and after 'Shelter From The Rain' in response to his inspired improvisation should put those doubts to rest.

The first set whizzed by in a blur. Song followed song, sometimes without a break. The was almost no talking from the band beyond an initial comment about how quiet everyone was (met with nervous laughter from those of us aware of the events of this past week). Julianne saying how good the people in the balcony looked silhouetted against some draped stained glass windows and Marty telling us not to be so nervous.

Things loosened up a bit during the second part with more (polite) banter between band and audience. But again once the songs started, total and utter silence reined from the floor while the music swirled around us and there was even a delay at the end of some songs before the applause started as if people were so caught up in it, they didn't realise the song had finished. Either that or they were making sure they'd heard every note before daring to interrupt. Julianne tried to tell a joke or two but while it was a valiant effort and the one about the fish I thought was actually quite funny, her skills will never match the quality of her singing.

The intro to 'Marthas Harbour' was met with a huge cheer and the standing ovation as they went off stage was never more justly deserved. The energy created by the normal set closer of the extended 'Every Angel' stunned those who didn't know it was going to happen and the place simply erupted when the last note died away.

The reaction was so overwhelming, for the first time on the tour they came back on stage and tried to tell us they didn't know any more songs. Bah humbug, what rubbish :o)

Julianne asked what we wanted to hear and enough songs for another 2 hour set must have been shouted out. She said something about them trying to put the electric set together and based on the songs people were asking for said that we should be very happy. I can't wait and I care not a jot what they end up playing.

The only song they've played on the tour occasionally and didn't play this night was 'Mine'. Julianne said they couldn't end with that as it would make us all too depressed. I think my shouted comment of 'not after what we've just witnessed' was lost and she tried to hide behind the back curtain and let the others sort out what to play but Andy went straight into it. It hasn't been included for being under-rehearsed (as Marty mentioned to us during the interval). I couldn't tell. Sounded perfectly fine to me but by this time they could have just banged dustbin lids together and I couldn't have cared.

And then it was over. I've no idea how the band thought it went but the huge smiles on their faces said much and I don't think there was one person in that audience who wasn't incredibly impressed.

My friends (who haven't been to any of the other shows) thought it was superb and the enduring feeling they have is that the songs seemed timeless and sound as good now as they did when they were written. Whatever your thoughts about that, time seemed to stop for me. I was completely unaware of anyone else around me I was so caught up in what was happening on stage and it's been a long time since I've felt like that.

- Howard