I was not the biggest Roger Hodgson fan before this show, but my loyalty sure grew after it.  I had a few Supertramp discs, and his two solo albums (we bought the third right at the show), but the main reason I got tickets was because it was on a Tuesday night, one of the few days my wife has off, and it seemed like a nice romantic thing to do. I didn't realize that the show was JUST Roger in an all acoustic set -- boy did that bump up the romantic setting! We had never been to the Aladdin Theater before and had only seen it on a VR tour. (http://www.showman.com/qtvr/aladdinVR.shtml)  Like the show, the venue did not disappoint. The doors didn't open for quite some time and we were told that Roger was doing his sound check. The wait was worth it because the sound was perfect.

We rushed in as soon as they opened and settled into front row seats. The stage and setting were beautiful, with candles lit on either side of the pump organ (Roger later told the crowd that he bought it in his youth from a little old lady in England) and a tapestry hanging at the side of the stage.

Roger came out and started with a song I later found out to be titled "Along Came Mary" a wonderful song that led perfectly into "Even In The Quietest Moments" a song that has always had a special place in my heart.  I got quite a chuckle when an especially drunk guy behind us shouted it out as a request several songs later.

Roger's stage presence was warm and friendly even though he was feeling a bit "queasy" from something he had eaten in Seattle. The rest of the song list in no certain order included:  In Jeopardy, The Logical Song, Take The Long Way Home, Don't You Want To Get High?, Dreamer, (the begining of) School, and the encore of Give A Little Bit.  Plus many many more, but not including Had a Dream (said it wouldn't work solo) and Downstream (because "that was Rick's song").

Roger's show was so relaxed and casual that he was taking requests and even asked everyone to gather closer around the stage so he could "see the whites of our eyes" -- even though he sang with his closed for most of the time.  His banter with the audience was so enjoyable, I especially loved his comment about being a "recovering perfectionist". The show wasn't totally solo when Roger asked if anyone in the audience played drums. "John" from Seattle had seen the show the day before and was more than willing to give it a try - and did a great job on a little electronic drum.

If Roger ever comes this way again i'll be first in line but I hope one little thing is different. What made this show so great is what I hope changes -- a backing band and some electricity plugged into those instruments so he can do all those songs that he couldn't do this time around!

A fan for life, Karl Jacobson