It was sixty years ago in May, when the Beatles first came to play, on that truly fab-u-lous day.

Going back in time to 1963, at the Gaumont Theatre (now the Regent) the Fab Four performed two sell-out shows during the period when their smash hit, From Me to You, was enjoying a long run in the chart's top spot.

To the frenzied reception of the Beatlemaniacs, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr's set of seven numbers in 25 minutes was all too brief. Nevertheless, for the price of an 8/6d ticket, it gave the teenage me an enduring memory and an ever-lasting enthusiasm for their music.

For those too young to know and older folk who, at the time, didn't know, Suffolk musician, musicologist and author Chris Ingham has explained the significance of the Beatles and the endurance of their music. 

In his book The Dead Straight Guide to The Beatles, he writes: "From the early- days appeal of a good tune, an upbeat sentiment and a dash of genius to the emotionally complex, musically mature work of their middle and late period, the Beatles represent one of the few times in musical history when the most popular was also the best."

Fast forward six decades (to the week) after the Ipswich gig, and a magical mystery tour along the A14 to the village of Trimley St Mary's 2 Sisters Arts Centre. At this intimate venue, a sold-out audience was present to enjoy the Ipswich four-piece band, Albion Mills, performing an all-Beatles show.

The band, comprising Ian Fitch (vocals & guitar), Simon Green (drums), James MacRae (lead vocals & bass guitar) and Karl Mallett (vocals & guitar) opened with the title track from the band's legendary album Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. And with that, the members of the audience, spanning an age range of at least 70 years, settled down to enjoy the show's 29-song set. 

And what a show it was, ranging from the 1962 rocker I Saw Her Standing There to the 1967 ground-breaking psychedelic triumph Strawberry Fields Forever, and beyond. It has been reported that Lennon regarded the latter as being his best work with the Beatles. 

Commonly appraised as the Beatles' finest song, A Day in The Life was performed remarkably well with the incorporation of psychedelic and orchestral effects re-creating the original – amazing. I can only reflect that this period could be when the Beatles were at their zenith. 

Another standout was the performance of the entire 1969 Rooftop Concert, in which the Beatles played a five-song gig on top of their Apple Corps headquarters in London's Savile Row. This innovative segment of the show included the Get Back/Don't Let Me Down hit single tracks. 

Albion Mills live (Picture: Kathleen Carr)

With his strong singing style and bass playing, James led effectively and confidently from the front, reminding me of Lennon & McCartney's stage presence. In addition to accompanying vocals and rhythm guitar, Ian embraced most of the lead playing and treated us to his touching debut solo performance of Blackbird.

Karl mostly played rhythm guitar but also showcased his singing and lead guitar technique on some numbers. Together with James and Ian, their three-part harmony vocals were a feature that shone out. 

Simon performed a relentlessly impressive demonstration of drumming, which gave an energetic drive of which Ringo would have been proud! His piece in the jigsaw of Albion Mills' totality is part of the group's successful long collective musical journey. 

Full of hits as well as lesser-known songs, this wasn't a tribute show in the sense of changing clothes and wigs to suit musical periods. Nor were individual Beatle's mannerisms and accents copied. But the humour, playfulness, and a sense of fun, which was a feature of their on-stage Liverpudlian persona, wasn't overlooked. 

More importantly, the group showed a deep musical commitment and empathy to capture the Beatles' spirit in this homage to the most successful group in rock/pop history.

With a repertoire of so many more great Beatles songs from which to select, in due course, it would be good if Albion Mills could conjure up more shows to showcase them all. I hope so.

Keep up with future events at the Two Sisters Arts Centre at http://twosistersarts.co.uk/