[Powdworker@aol.com]

Hi everyone--

Last night in DC was AWESOME!!! Of course, I've been waiting to see them live again since 1988 (long story), but it was worth the wait!!!

Somebody else will have to post the setlist--I had every intention of writing it down song by song on some paper I had in my purse, but I ended up right in the very front row, right in front of Jim, so I was just too wrapped up in the sight and sound!! I can say that the setlist generally followed the plan of the tour -- opening with RW and Dreamworld, then into a couple of the new songs, Rob out front for the outback songs (I thought they played Beds *amazingly* early for the U.S.), ending up the main set with "Forgotten Years," then two encores, the first including the acoustic "In the Valley" and the second just "Read About It." No "Say Your Prayers" this time, but I heard *four* new songs, the first being "Too Much Sunshine" followed the song with "alleluia" as part of the chorus. And oh, did "Only the Strong" ever ROCK!!

Other impressions:

-- Jim must have had at LEAST 11 pedals for his various guitars. I counted that many but there may have been a couple others behind the foldback speakers. Please don't ask me what kind of pedals they were because I know nothing about electric guitar technology. I do know that one pedal said "Lovetone" on it (ironic since the Oils don't sing a whole lotta conventional love songs!).

-- At least from where I was standing, I could hear Jim's guitar much, much better than the little synthesizer keyboard he occasionally played. I think Jim might have felt the same way, though, because about the second time he used it he looked offstage and made an "up, up" gesture with one of his hands.

-- Sold-out crowd (maybe 1200?) was well-behaved, no bottle-throwing or moshing. Everybody was VERY focused on the Oils.

Will continue my report later ... gotta get back to work here!!!

Excitedly yours,
Patty in Maryland