I've seen AE so many times, but missed him in May when he was in town, and Helsinki is a fantastic place to see a show-and eat-so why not? Showed up, got a perfect corner spot, and watched them finish soundchecking.

I've not seen this trio configuration of the band before - Brian Standefer gorgeously playing the cello (you know I love the strings), and Sean Giddings on keyboard. AE said he has a new record coming out in October, but didn't bring out any new songs, just the old favorites, and this was definitely the 'Storytellers' version of a show - He told some familiar stories and a pretty funny one about how meeting Bruce and performing for 30,000 Boss fans trumps anything that Chuck Prophet was planning on bragging about...

No snarky mention of Hillary around Castanets this time...Came on about 8:15, and finished at 10:00. Just 11 songs, so you know what a story show this was. Also worth noting - this was a very gray audience, shockingly so.