Some early short-takes on the show.

Guitar notes by Jim Beller.

The show details.

The set list

1. Tell Me Why
2. Looking Forward
3. War Of Man
4. Out Of Control   (on upright piano)
5. Albuquerque
6. World On A String
7. Pocahontas   (on 12-string)
8. Philadelphia   (on grand piano)
9. Love Is A Rose   (on guitjo)
10. Daddy Went Walkin'
      {Intermission}
11. Distant Camera
12. Last Trip To Tulsa
13. Unknown Legend
14. Long May You Run   (on pump organ)
15. Old King   (on guitjo)
16. Harvest Moon
17. Slowpoke
18. After The Goldrush   (on pump organ)
      Encore:
19. Good To See You
20. Railroad Town
21. Sugar Mountain
      Encore 2:
22. Powderfinger   (on 12-string)

James Dylan reports:
Just got back from the Berkeley show, my mind is blown. It was the greatest concert I've ever seen, I now have a whole new respect for Neil Young and the songs. The new songs are way cool, really classic Neil, kind of country-ish, happy.

He didn't talk much, no speech about organic food. Just mentioned he last played in the hall in 1971 and 1972. Many cool songs, can't remember them all, someone else will post them, anyway. He closed with Powderfinger and Sugar Mountain. Damn, I'm a changed man.

Bad events: The lady with the 5 month old whiney baby on my left, who finally left after being glared at for 10 minutes. And the 350 pound guy on my right who was more in my seat than I was (I couldn't even get to my seat, I had to jump over the back from the other row.)

This was kind of cool: I was riding over the Bay Bridge, (the one you see in The Graduate), towards Berkeley. It was dark and drizzling, when the clouds break open and a huge beam of sunlight shines right onto Berkeley. A rainbow appears, and the end of it was right over downtown! So cool. Did anyone else see it? It was a true symbol of what the night would become.

JD

My fave part was when Neil's voice got rough and gravelly and deep on one line in Sugar Mountain, like he needed to clear his throat or something. That was followed by this wild bluesy bend in the next riff he played. I made this "hah" noise of delight and suprise that I couldn't suppress. I'm sure my neighbour thought I was weird. Ah well, he was very large and kind of in my seat as well...

Steve, who had a GREAT time, and enjoyed meeting Aidan and Josh + crew...

For me, the highlights included one of the best Pocahontas ever, as well as *killer* ATGR and Long May You Run on the pipe organ. The last encore was a magnificent Powderfinger.

I've never really "gotten" Albuquerque, but Neil's version of that song last night really took me in. Hell - my respect and awe for the man just went up one or two notches after last night's show. I feel really privileged to have seen him this time around.

Oh yeah - I picked up a nice $75 orchestra seat for $35 outside right around showtime - there were *lots* of extra tickets around. My suggestion to any Bay Area Rusties who are put off by the high ticket prices: Don't miss tonight's Paramount show - just show up outside at showtime......

Frank

Here are the guitars Neil used at tonight's show...