Wow.  Wow.  Wow.

Granted, this was my first EC show, but wow.  Here's the short summary:  
twenty-eight songs; almost two hours; three encores; six--count 'em--six 
songs from _This Year's Model_, and another three each from _MAIT_ and 
_Armed Forces_.  All this, and "Puppet Girl" too.

The down side?  No backing vocals, except the occasional "hey" from Steve 
Nieve on "Lipstick Vogue."  Steve's keyboards were also a little high up 
in the mix, and thus seemed a little too busy on some of the songs.  
Nothing from _King of America_, _Trust_, _Blood and Chocolate_, _Mighty 
Like a Rose_, _The Juliet Letters_, _Punch the Clock_.  Then again, 
nothing from _Goodbye Cruel World_ or _Almost Blue_, but I doubt anybody 
will be crushed.

The long summary:  the set list.

No Action
High Fidelity
The Beat
Pony St.
Beyond Belief
Sulky Girl
London's Brilliant Parade
Deep Dark Truthful Mirror
This Is Hell
Kinder Murder
Rocking Horse Road
Accidents Will Happen
Still Too Soon to Know
You Tripped at Every Step
Veronica
Watching the Detectives
You Belong to Me
Just About Glad
Mystery Dance
13 Steps Lead Down
Radio Radio
------------------------
FIRST ENCORE:
Lipstick Vogue
Party Girl
------------------------
SECOND ENCORE:
Puppet Girl
Alison
All the Rage
------------------------
THIRD ENCORE:
Peace, Love and Understanding
Pump It Up


So yes, those of you who were worried about "Accidents Will Happen" as an
opener can rest easy.  The first surprise was probably "The Beat," and I
didn't much expect "You Belong to Me," "Lipstick Vogue," or "Party Girl."
Or "Puppet Girl," which he introduced by saying something about how it was
a song he and his wife wrote as "career advice" for someone.  At least I
think that's what he said.  (I didn't hear any mention of Wendy James.)
The version sounded fuller than the demo, as you'd expect.  He didn't talk
much either. 

The most rewarding part about the show may have been the way some of my 
less-favorite tracks on _BY_ stood out live.  "Still Too Soon" was 
downright gorgeous (even if he did have to restart it after botching an 
early verse) and "Just About Glad," which came over well, but could have 
used backing vocals.

"This Is Hell" featured the predictable red lighting and Elvis seemed to 
struggle with it when trying to sing the backing vocals (the second "it 
never gets better or worse") all by himself.  (Haven't the Attractions 
done backing vocals on past tours?)  "13 Steps," though, was *much* 
tighter than the Letterman appearance, and this time they went full-tilt 
into "Radio Radio," which drove the crowd nuts.  "All the Rage" would 
have been a fine way to end the show, lyrically, but "Pump It Up" 
finished thing off, predictably.

Can't wait for tomorrow night.