Just got in from a happy and celebratory Elton John concert at the Spokane Arena and I thought I'd share a few quick impressions (I'll be writing a full review for Sunday print).

Opening Elton stage banter: "Last time I was here I played a solo show. This time we're going to rock out!"

Hits left out of this 2 hour 45 minute show: Hardly any, unless you consider "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" to be an Elton John hit (see set list below).

Best costume: A couple of guys in the front row wearing pink feather boas. Runnerup, Elton's outfit. which consisted of a black formal tailcoat with embroidered musical notes and a "Music Magic" insignia on the back. Call it Nashville meets Hyde Park.

Most ambitious numbers: The opening song, "Funeral For a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding," and "Rocket Man," both of which were turned into mini-symphonies.

Biggest ovation when the audience recognized the opening chords: Tie between "Tiny Dancer" and "Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me."

Biggest surprise: The high quality of the new songs from his new album "The Union."

Old song I forgot was so good: Tie between "Madman Across the Water," "Burn Down the Mission" and "Take Me to the Pilot."

Read on to see the (partial) set list:

Here's the set list as best I could record it.

"Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding."

"Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting."

"Levon."

"Madman Across the Water."

"Tiny Dancer"

"Philadelphia Freedom."

"Goodbye Yellow Brick Road."

"Daniel."

"Rocket Man."

"I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues."

Several new songs from "The Union," including "Hey Ahab," "Gone to Shiloh" and "Monkey Suit."

"Take Me to the Pilot."

"Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word."

"Candle in the Wind."

"Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me."

"Burn Down the Mission."

"Bennie and the Jets."

"The Bitch is Back."

"Crocodile Rock."

Encore: "Your Song."

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