Fan Review by Sue

THERE NEEDS TO BE A DVD MADE OF TONIGHT'S SHOW -- In all of my 40 years of going to concerts NEVER has Neil looked and SOUNDED SO INCREDIBLE!!! He was absolutely in top form (OK - his voice cracked a wee bit on Street Life.

My disappointment -- the beautiful tote bag they were selling in Europe wasn't here on this side of the pond. What they had here was absolutely nothing spectacular and in my opinion downright a waste of money. However I'm sure many who bought them were pleased so just take that as my personal opinion.

I might have mentioned that someone at work had won 2nd row seats and she wasn't that crazy about his music and I tried and tried to trade seats with her, but her husband wanted to stay put at least for part of the show. She had my cell number and said she'd call me if she wanted to switch -- needless to say she never called :) She was second row, center -- like right in front of him. She said pre-concert how obnoxious many of those others were in that area -- I said those are die-hard fans down there and I'm sure they'll be ok when the show starts

He came out at 8:15 -- and like I said words can't even begin to describe how well everything went. Although just when he said "Hello St. Paul" the sound went out and I thought oh oh another Glastonbury but it was only seconds before it started up and all went totally smooth from that point on.

I was hoping he'd say something about the Billboard ad but he didn't. The songs sung from HBD were done just beautifully and so meaningful -- maybe knowing more about the background on that (with Rae sick and all) made it more so. But even people who weren't familiar with the songs were commenting around me how nice the songs all were so that's great!

OK -- here's the set list with a few comments of mine afterwards:

1. One More Bite of the Apple -- sang very little of that. He comes out at the far back of the stage and after just a bit of that song he works he way to the front playing the guitar and my notes (written in semi-darkness mind you) say SEXY!!! Mmmmm Mmmm Good!!

2. Holly Holy -- MY FAVORITE ALL TIME CONCERT SONG and HE SANG THE WHOLE THING -- needless to say I was flying high!!

3. Beautiful Noise -- another absolutely beautifully delivered piece. During this the band was highlighted with stage lighting on sections.

4. Street Life - this is where his voice cracked a bit -- no big deal.

5. Love on the Rocks -- one of my least favorite (don't lynch me just not a song I've ever cared for) but he delivered it well.

6. Play Me -- What can I say -- SEXY again and the audience was really into that one.

7. Cherry Cherry -- just before going into that, he said (after two slow songs) it's time to get up and dance, and boy did we ever! I figured I can count that and other dancing towards my exercise for the week for my TOPS meeting on Tuesday :) We were definitely moving on that one!

8. Now he introduced the band -- not by names, but by letting each of them play a ditty -- King Ericsson received the most applause naturally but the horn section (which as you know I'm not crazy about) did get a heavy dose of applause as well.

9. Thank the Lord for the Nighttime -- a little different rendition as at one part he talked a little bit -- he said when he comes home every night the words he says is TTLFTNT.

Now he threw his jacket off.

10. He then introduced the HBD and started that set off with Home Before Dark -- very well done -- again his voice was absolutey top notch.

11. Don't Go There -- part of the stage was movable side to side and he moved side to side.

12. Pretty Amazing Grace -- Super!

13. Grunchy Granola Suite -- He introduced that by talking about HAN and recording a song there and I am ashamed to admit that I usually hear one chord of his music and can identify the song. This one I couldn't. I knew it sounded familiar but I didn't get it -- shame on me

14. Done Too Soon -- how does he remember all those names he rattles off?

15. Brooklyn Roads -- again with the video -- very cute and touching and very well done.

16. I am I Said -- MARVELOUS -- one of the best deliveries of that song I've ever heard.

17. Solitary Man

18. Forever in Blue Jeans -- of course everyone was up and hopping on that one too.

19. Sweet Caroline -- 3 or 4 encores -- audience loved it.

20. You Don't Bring Me Flowers -- this one surprised me as Linda didn't sing as much of the song as she usually does. They have a part where they slow dance and he didn't kiss her at the end either. Hmmmmmm

21. Song Sung Blue -- fine but again not a favorite of mine (no lynching again).

22. I'm A Believer

23. Man of God (now he went to the 12 Songs) -- Absolutely beautiful how he presented this one -- sincere and moving in my mind.

24. Hell Yeah -- he didn't cry but I did -- again his words will always get to me. And to hear him deliver this very personal song -- well I started to lose it then.

25. He left the stage (and changed shirts)Came back and did Cracklin' Rosie -- loved by all.

26. Another encore -- AMERICA -- Beautiful and it was over.

In the end the band came and lined up and did a stage bow.

Glaringly absent -- Kentucky Woman (Sorry Eydie!) and Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show. I don't know if I've ever seen a concert without that but it was ok. It was totally satisfying in every respect except it had to end.

Now tomorrow night when I go my sister who is going with me (I won the tickets) isn't that crazy about him. The first thing I told her when I got home tonight was I am soooo glad I won the tickets for tomorrow night because it was so very good tonight.

I'm sorry if I'm spoiling anything for anyone but I know people want to hear about it (Lois -- I hope you've gotten to sleep before now as I see you were checking every 5 minutes)!!

I won't write tomorrow night -- I mean I somehow will have to resume my normal ho-hum life and go back and work at the office on Monday.

I look forward to going to breakfast tomorrow with the others and I look forward to other opinions on the show as well. For those still going to see him in the future -- enjoy every second of it and believe me it will be worth it.