King Tide
Not the Girl You Think You Are
Dream Date
Faster Than Light
Astro
Distant Sun
Hole in the River
Suffer Never
Try Whistling This
The Devil You Know
Sinner
Souvenir
Private Universe
I See Red
You Really Got Me
She Will Have Her Way
Twisty Bass
I Got You
Truth
Last Day of June
Addicted

Last night was another stellar night. The venue was a smallish club on Montauk Highway on Long Island. Perfect for me since I only live 20 miles west of it. Lucky me! As many of my fellow Long Islanders and Neil fans said last night, we never dreamed that we would get the chance to see Neil so up close in such an intimate setting on LI of all places!

Now, if you don't know the Hamptons, then you wouldn't know that it is a vacation spot to the max. Lots of wooded areas, very "country." Very homey. Quite a difference from Irving Plaza! It truly felt like he was playing in my backyard.

Some highlights:

1. Seeing Neil riding a bike around the Galaxy (there was a big open grassy field in back for parking--all of the band members took a spin on the bike at one point or another). He almost rode out onto Montauk Highway, and we all gasped, "Don't get run over!" Haha. (This was an especially poignant comment to make, owing to the fact that Ebba Forsberg took ill and was whisked away to an area hospital--so, no Ebba last night.)

2. Me being extremely non-Liz-like by climbing a fence to invade the sanctity of Neil's downtime (band members and assorted family were enjoying themselves, relaxing, at the club's fenced-in courtyard). I took the opportunity to startle one and all by yelling, "hey, Neil!", motioning for him to come over (which he did! I'm sure he was thinking, "Who is this crazy girl?!") so I could give him my Austin Powers "shagadelic" hat. (For those of you who don't know, Neil and his family are big Austin fans. I always knew that hat would come in handy someday! ). He was very gracious and gave me an autograph. I was so astounded at my good luck, that I had to have a few drinks during the show to steady myself. :)

3. The crowd: Lots of old and new friends, from concerts past. I have always met the most extremely friendly people at Neil's gigs.

4. Neil's soundcheck. He played "Walk on By" at one point. Very good! I love Bacharach!

5. Neil's "opening act"--"No Danger" opened for Neil (a combination of the band names No Doubt and Harvey Danger ). No Danger was thrown together after Ebba canceled due to illness. Members of Ebba's band and Neil's band, including Liam (who was a superstar last night!), comprised the band. They played everything from corny country tunes to Irish songs--it was a total laugh riot! It was great to see Neil on the side, watching and laughing as loud as I have ever heard him laugh!

6. The show itself: Awesome. A different set list, which he kept deviating from constantly (he was showing his Gemini side, I guess ). Highlights included Devil You Know, I See Red, a new song that he said he was working on (I didn't catch the title but it had the word "spectacular" in it), an impromptu version of "You Really Got Me" by the Kinks, etc. Oh heck, it was all good, why don't I just say that!

Generally speaking, I have to say that I have never met nicer folks that Neil and the members of his band. Robert Moore is a total sweetheart! (I have met plenty of musicians in my life, and no one has been kinder or has possessed less rock star 'tude than these guys).

Alas, there were no t-shirts on sale again, no CD's, nothing. I contented myself with taking a poster off the wall, and my autograph, and the knowledge that I just witnessed a genius (and decent human being) at work and at play.