Dolly Parton plays Glastonbury warm-up gig at London's O2

There's just something about Dolly Parton. Okay, there's lots of things about Dolly Parton, not all of them real ("No one can grow their nails this long," the lady herself points out) but out of the real things, there's her voice and her emotion.

At the O2 Arena, Dolly eschews such things as a support act and instead plays a 26­song set, with just a brief twenty minute interval inbetween. While such a performance could drag a bit with anyone else, Dolly manages to make the time fly by, showing just how she's still going at 68 (and honestly, you could never tell).

From anyone else, the well­practiced speeches about putting your faith in God and how there's no place in home would induce enough eyerolls to pull a muscle, but somehow Dolly manages to sound nothing short of sincere and earnest ­­ coming across more endearing than nauseating. There's no doubt she's a better singer ­­ and saxaphone player, guitarist, organist and lap steelist, if that last one's such a thing ­­ than a preacher, though, and it definitely shows. Deftly teaming new songs in amongst her old ones, including a particularly great cover of Bob Dylan's 'Don't Think Twice' or an inspired gospel take on Bon Jovi's 'Lay Your Hands On Me' ­­ and don't ask how that last one works, but it really really does ­­ Dolly showcases the talent and passion that's got her so far today.

The classics are the best received, however. From the always stunning 'Jolene', to a haunting 'Little Sparrow' and the breathtaking 'Coat Of Many Colours', Dolly can clearly do no wrong in the O2 tonight.

Especially not with '9 to 5' and 'I Will Always Love You' to close the set. Dolly's going out on a high, and doubtless the audience are leaving on one too.