Neil played last Saturday at the House of Blues. Even though the tickets were $12.00 each (can't beat that), only about 200 people showed up, but they were a very enthusiastic and knowledgeable bunch and made the band feel welcome. Now for the bad news: there was no merchandise for sale at the concert.

Neil played most of the songs from Try Whistling This (no "Faster Than Light"). In between these songs, he played an acoustic set of Crowded House hits ("Fall at your Feet," "Distant Sun") and Split Enz ("Message to My Girl"). Other songs: A moving rendition of "You're Not the Girl You Think You Are," "Suffer Never," and "Private Universe."

The crowd was loud and ready for more, so the band did two encores. Included in these encores were "I Got You" and an acoustic "Don't Dream is Over." Neil's voice was starting to break during this song, so the crowd helped by singing along. The concert ended with "Addicted," if I recalled correctly, and an exhausted Neil flopping over the keyboards after an incredible performance.

The crowd still wanted more, but Saturday night is Salsa Night at the House of Blues, and the HOB announcer made everybody leave to make room for the Merengue dancers waiting outside. If you notice a little Latin influence in Neil's next album ....