Wow, what a night. And to think I was hesitant to go. (I'm not much of a concert person as it's hard for a song to live up to the album version when it's performed live, and I hate giving money to Ticketmaster.) Anyway, it was fun fun fun!

A brief A.I. video started at 7:45, followed by Nic Harcourt of KCRW, who was the MC for the night. He
told us that Aimee would open, then Chris & Johnny of Coldplay would be there, then Beth would close. Bill Schultz of Amnesty International provided us with a couple of impassioned appearances throughout the night. Mr. Schultz informed us that the focus of the night would be the case of a Nigerian woman who will be stoned to death in 28 days for the crime of adultery.

Aimee took the stage after Mr. Schultz. She wore blue jeans, a red jacket, and a yellow blouse that may have been adorned with a red tie. (Ryan and I didn't have the best seats in the house, but there really weren't any *bad* ones.) She opened with "The Moth", then "Calling It Quits", during which she changed the end a bit (around the "Judy Garland storylines" part). After that song ended she started her comments about the lighting, saying how she could see the audience a little too well and that she doesn't need the pressure. :-) After "Choice in the Matter", she complained again about the lights. When adjustments were made she told the audience, "See the power I have?" The she joked with the band about the atmosphere and vibe, adopting a bit of a surfer tone. Too funny. :-) After "Lost in Space" she did her part in promoting her new album ("I have a new record coming out next week. That's as much banter I have for that.")... Before "Pavlov's Bell", Aimee spoke of her charisma problem - she decided she doesn't have any and she doesn't even think she likes people who have it. With those comments, she proceeded to her band intro, which consisted of introducing Michael Lockwood and no one else. :-P They closed with "Long Shot", but a hearty response brought them all back for "Deathly", despite Aimee's concern that they would be running over into someone else's time slot. Like we care! :-)

A brief interlude followed, then Nic Harcourt was back and spoke a little about Chris from Coldplay and how goofy he is. Chris proved it a few minutes later when he demonstrated how he sounds like shit by doing an opening line or 2 from a Coldplay song in a cracking falsetto. With that excuse, he brought out Mos Def, and proceeded to introduce the world to "cheesy white boy rock and hip-hop" by playing "Lovely Day", "Simple Twist of Fate" and "Don't Worry". Chris joked that they are the new Ike & Tina Turner of pop, and Mos Def said "but I don't beat him." LOL! Chris had me dying of laughter a few minutes later when he commented that he was getting horny during Aimee's set because he and
his girlfriend used to make out to the "Magnolia" soundtrack. I wonder what Aimee thought of that
revelation. ;-)

Another intermission followed that 15-minute set, and there was another A.I. video, followed by Nic
Harcourt's lovely intro for Beth, saying how when A.I. was first putting together the show, Beth was the first one who showed interest in participating.

Beth and her band took the stage to hapy applause and opened with "Paris Train." The sound guys didn't get the balance right till "Mt. Washington", the 3rd song in the set, which was absolutely beautiful. Beth's vocals came through loud on clear on that song, wow! She's mentioned before the song that she wasn't going to talk much that night because she's nervous and shy, but she cracked one of her trademark corny jokes (about asking for cotton balls at a chemist's) after "Carmella", which really rocked, as did "Someone's Daughter." When people who've seen her live before mentioned that her live renditions varied a lot from the album versions, I couldn't see how it would be possible, but damn, she sure rocked out on some songs that I never woulda thunk to be anything but mellow and pleasant. I loved it! And I have to admit to a bit of a crush on the double bass (stand-up bass?) player because he sure knows how to groove. He was *really* into his playing, it was quite admirable. :-)