The achievement of putting a renowned and established artist such as Dan Reed, the famed Portland singer/songwriter, in the EVI in South Wales is almost unthinkable, a far away fantasy almost in the heads of the people behind this marvellous venue. But reality has shone down and, as the finale of a trio of dates in the UK, the Dan Reed solo tour has arrived at the Ebbw Vale Cultural Centre (EVI): you might shiver outside but inside there's so much musical warmth keeping the masses' temperatures rising at this show of absolute musical perfection.

The Bleedin Noses open proceedings, performing tonight as a four piece to fit in with the setting of an acoustic evening and fit in they do big time, bringing their mixture of jazz, blues, folk and numerous other styles that mixes down so elegantly for this particular set with some creative use of the banjo and mandolin on tracks like 'Good For The Bad Ones', 'We've Been High', 'Home' and 'Done For', with its jangly Irish influenced groove, this is definitely a band to be witnessed and heard as the crowd appreciation proves convincingly at the end of their endearing set.

Taking to the stage next are the much anticipated duo of vocalist/guitarist Julian Gardner and bassist Bryan Jones, collectively known as Hounds Of Justice. Gardner and his Boss Loop Station kick it in with 'One More Day' and a melodic, powerhouse vocal delivery very rarely heard in the acoustic arena but extremely refreshing and original. 'Let It Flow', 'Come Hear The Noise' house beautiful, well crafted acoustic arrangements amidst the Loop Station complexity and bass parts that, at times, come across more akin to a string arrangement. Involving the crowd seems to be one of Gardner's many fortes, also, it should be noted, the numerous guitar changes to suit individual tunes is quite reminiscent of a classic Cheap Trick show. The delightfully penned 'Never Ending' and the audience participated singalong 'All We Need' bring the set to conclusion and, once again, well deserved crowd appreciation of the acoustic duo.

After a short interlude, Julian Gardner takes the mic to introduce the one and only Dan Reed, opening with 'She's Not You', the first of a number of tunes lifted from his 2010 opus 'Coming Up For Air'. There's so much feel and depth going into this astounding one man show that covers all areas of his illustrious career. In his own words "the opening number of the show for The Dan Reed Network" 'Cruise Together' comes with such a soulful vocal delivery. 'Coming Up For Air', with its exquisite storytelling, follows and then the song Dan Reed will always go hand and hand with "that was written in a parking lot at a Grateful Dead concert in 1988," 'Rainbow Child', the craft of the man is second to none, holding the assembled fanatics breathtakingly with every single note played and sang so gracefully.

What follows really is something special to behold; a loving tribute to Ronnie James Dio in the form of 'Holy Diver' (released as a Dan Reed download-only single in aid of The Ronnie Dio Cancer trust Stand Up And Shout) that has Dan almost making this classic track his very own with its stunning acoustic arrangement. 'Losing My Fear', outstandingly performed, shows the depth of Reed's songwriting and his huge talent, added to when he sits down at the Korg for a piano version of 'Stronger Than Steel'. The spiritual vibe between artist and audience is quite remarkable to say the least. 'Long Way To Go' showcases songwriting at the very top end of the musical spectrum and is performed so considerately and tenderly. 'Wake Up', lifted from the Network album 'The Heat', and 'Closer', dedicated to a couple in attendance whose wedding Dan had affectionately played at with one of his intimate house shows, are followed by the classic 'Ritual' performed, it seemed, straight from the heart. Some of that ol' Network funk reared its head in acoustic fashion on 'Get To You' before Reed closed the set with 'Brand New World'.

Returning to encore with 'I'm So Sorry' and 'Swept Away' and, thanks to a well deserved standing ovation which obviously touched Dan emotionally, he gave the crowd one more unscheduled song, 'All My Lovin', taken from the globally hyped and loved 'Slam' release and, with his words "happy end of the world!", he's away but soon returning to the floor area to sign and have photos taken with what must have been the entire event turn-out. A true gentleman and musical genius.