My Berkeley experience/review

[Rickypt]

I guess this is kind of a boring review as I don't have any pics or anything. But I'll finish up.

I can't remember the order of the three songs after INTK. One was Down South, which was nice but a bit too slow following the energy of Stevie's set, there was a cover that I didn't care for (Little Richard song? something like that), and there was "It's Good To Be King". I have never liked "King", but now like it a little bit more after hearing the live version. I thought it dragged on way too long, though.

Insider -- GORGEOUS. Even better than the version I saw in New York. Stevie's vocals were spot on and much higher than I expected. And I got goosebumps with her final pose--back to audience, facing Tom, with her gloved hand on her lower back. :shiver:. My uncle fell in love at that moment, and my aunt called her an "inspiration".

Learning To Fly -- this is one of my favorite Petty songs and I love the stripped-down version. It is very elegant and shows a vulnerable side. I normally hate sing-alongs, but I felt it was appropriate during this song--kind of a way of everyone collectively telling TP that we love him. Stevie's hand movements are just downright weird, but lovely to watch. My aunt asked what she was doing and I said she was the sign language interpretor.

Don't Come Around Here No More--the show-stopper! Builds and builds and builds, and then EXPLODES. Stevie stomped out to the front of the stage and went insane. I had been sitting most of the show, but had to stand for that. Is this the same woman who barely moved during SYW tour? Amazing.

Sad wave of goodbye to Stevie.

Refugee --okay, Tom mailed this one in! He doesn't even bother to do any screams. But it's a must, and Mike really went to town.

Running Down A Dream -- I'm a loser, I couldn't hold in the wine any longer and had to find a bathroom. But I could hear it the whole time. Whoever was singing along in the chorus was singing too high and it sounded weird. Great song to close the set, though.