THIS was an absolute treat; a guitarist at the peak of his powers and playing the best of his material from across his whole career.

For although Chris Rea's previous 'projects' have been of interest, this Santo Spirito Blues tour is the real deal.

With his five-piece band of gnarled veterans, Rea has been meandering across Europe since the beginning of last month so was nicely primed for tonight.

Following a satellite shot homing in from space to Florence (it's all to do with the new album), opening track The Last Open Road set the bluesy feel for the evening, with Work Gang and Where The Blues Come From continuing the theme.

Give that it wasn't so long ago Rea was at death's door with pancreatitis, this was a virtuoso performance from the Irish/Italian son of Middlesbrough whose husky voice sounds like he's been gargling the bed of the River Tees.

His remarkable slide work showed him to be one of the world's top guitarists, exemplified on the unusual 'Til The Morning Sun Shines On My Love And Me and the self-indulgent (but, hey, he's allowed a little leeway) Somewhere Between Highway 61 & 49.

Phew, and that's before we got to a stonking Stainsby Girls, the epic Road To Hell (Parts I and II), a jazzed-up On The Beach and the pure pop of Let's Dance.

We ended with It's All Gone before the film recommenced, removing us from Florence to beyond infinity.

And a mention for the lighting guy - it was great to see a decent, thoughtful light show for once.

Support act New York singer-songwriter Nell Bryden, playing solo acoustic, showcased her radio-friendly tunes such as the newie Buildings and Treetops and the hit It's Not Like Loving You. Worth catching.