Dan picked a great day to start his Florida tour. A cold front had just come through and we dropped to about 88 degrees instead of our usual 100 with 90% humidity. The sky and water were blue, the sun shining. He made the comment that he loves to play South Florida--beats the hell out of New England, it's COLD up there. This, of course, was met by much applause and cheering.

Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts is a beautiful new facility located in an upscale section of Naples very close to the Gulf of Mexico. It was a theater-style auditorium with all the right acoustics--perfect for Dan. He had no sound problems--only some minor tuneups. And he did not introduce Doug. Don't you think Doug should be introduced at all the concerts? He is such an integral player. We see him all the time!

The crowd was mainly in the 40 and 50 year old age bracket. There was an enclosure that was mailed with the tickets with a theater dress code. Most were casually dressed but a few were very dressed up. I wore my jeans--I am still a rebel. LOL. No one tells me how to dress.

There was no opening act. Dan came on stage precisely at 8:00. He was met by thunderous applause, some people on their feet. My eyes are not as good as they once were, but I believe he was wearing a brown jacket and slacks with a print silk shirt. Standard sandals, no socks. LOL.

He immediately launched into "Nexus" and continued through his set list. Standard set list--no variations. Same audience banter with only minor conversational asides. One girl kept screaming out "Wysteria" which Dan ignored. He had made the comment at the beginning of the show that people can yell out requests but he doesn't do them. When he took his jacket off there was a wolf whistle and one girl yelled out, "Ooo, Dan, you're so cute!" I don't know whether he didn't hear her or chose to ignore her. He did not react.

About the standard set list: This crowd seemed to be made up of mostly first-timers. They came to hear his hits and greeted each one with great cheering and applause. Many people have been to almost all of his concerts from the very beginning and we know when the show is the same. We also know much of his other music. These people would have been disappointed if he had not played that set list. It's too bad that he can't segregate audiences into long-time fans and first-timers. I think the sets might be different. But he can't do that--he has to try to please everyone. Also, many of us attend more than one concert on each tour. He did include new songs on this tour. They may not have been the great new hits everyone wanted to hear, but they were very fine instrumentals. We just have heard them several times now. Don't get me wrong, I would like to see him shake up his set list as much as the next person, but then I know the great diversity in his music. Many people are unaware of it and would rather hear the classics.

He did not play "Love Beyond Time." I think he included it in his original shows as a song that not many people had heard before, which was true. Most of us had not heard it. Dan knows what happens on the internet and I believe he does read the boards and the reviews. Of course, someone quickly jumped in about the bootleg tape and reported that the song had been written for Anastasia. That fueled all the speculation and rumors and ended up hurting some people, probably Jean. I think Dan decided it just wasn't worth it to include. We have to remember that most of Dan's love songs were inspired by past loves and ex-wives. The songs are still beautiful and relevant regardless of whether the relationships still exist. I, for one, thought it was a beautiful song. It is too bad we probably won't be hearing it again.

Throughout the concert, Dan seemed happy and relaxed. No sign of illness or throat strain. He seemed to enjoy performing the show and put his all into every song. It was one of the best I've seen.

One disappointment, though. Dan only returned for one encore, "Same Auld Lang Syne," met by thunderous applause and cheering. Then the house lights went up. I immediately bolted for the parking lot because I had a two hour drive ahead of me and I wanted to beat the crowd. I was parked in the front of the theater right near the exit and I was right BEHIND Dan's limo which came from the back exit. For him to beat me to the exit, he had to have walked right off the stage, gotten into the limo and left. It was a very quick getaway. I wondered about that for a while and then I remembered all the posts here about catching a glimpse of Dan after the concerts in Florida. Like it or not, folks, Dan does not like the fan contact after the performances. If "captured" or lined up for a meet and greet, he will be gracious, but it is not his favorite thing. I have never been one to hang out at stage doors, but I have seen the fans in action and it becomes a circus. Whether or not you agree with his attitude, that is Dan, and always will be. Best to go, enjoy the music, and let him be.

One other comment about my impressions. There has been much speculation on the boards about Jean not being anywhere in sight or Dan having female "guests" at the concerts. I did not see Jean, but then I wasn't looking for her. I did not see who got out of the limo or who got back into the limo, so I don't know if she was there or not. But during the concert, Dan made several references to her and spoke with the "our" and "we" pronouns. My impression is that they are still very much a solid, committed couple. Some people at our age choose to be life companions without the goal of marriage, for many reasons. They have the "piece of paper" mentality. They are not together because the law says they have to be, but because they wake up every morning and choose to be a part of each other's lives. We have to remember that this is our entertainment, but for Dan, it is a business trip. Maybe Jean has her own things to do and can't attend every concert. I don't think anyone should read anything else into it. Dan seems very happy, and that should be what counts.

I will be attending the Clearwater show and will post another review on Sunday.

Artemis

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I was mesmorized at the concert. My friend is now a devoted fan, too.

I do feel that Dan was less than enthusiastic. We did not hear Love Beyond Time, Along the Road , or The Gambler. Only one encore, Same Old Lang Syne. The show was 90 minutes long. Guess he was just warming up for Clearwater, since someone said he was really into performing that night. Wish I had felt that Dan was 100% with us---the hall was so beautiul and the sound was great. His voice and guitar playing were perfect. And the piano playing,too, of course. I enjoyed having great seats---it does enhance the experience.

I will always treasure the concert and our little mini holiday because we talked and laughed 'til my throat was sore. Glad I could share Dan's music with a friend.

sunnyday