And while every performance was memorable, one truly managed to stand out. Strangely, it wasn't even an artist typically listened to by this reviewer: Mary Chapin Carpenter.

Backed up by guitar wizard Duke Levine and guitarist extraordinaire/producer/Gibson endorsee John Jennings, Carpenter put on a show that proved simultaneously seasoned and professional, yet energetic as a young rocker's first gig.

Carpenter's enthusiastically-strummed J-200 served the musical foundation, feeding groove and energy to the rock solid drums and bass while the electric guitar interplay swirled around. Jennings seamlessly blended with Carpenter's soaring vocals and light stage antics, demonstrating the profound musical relationship they share.

Overall the show was truly a study of experienced sidemen enhancing a songwriter's performance, rather than obscuring it with needless orchestration.

Highlights of the set included "Passionate Kisses" and "Shut Up and Kiss Me," both rocked out to the point where even the Stones might be envious. "Quittin' Time," originally recorded as a ballad provided another example of Chapin's rock sensibility when faced with a sea of festive, singing, dancing summertime bodies (speaking of singing, I seemed to be the only one in attendance who didn't know every word to every song). Levine provided the musical highlight, with an extended guitar solo featuring his nimble picking and mind-bending mock pedal-steel licks.

Overall, anyone who might foster an image of Mary Chapin Carpenter as a mellow country singer better suited for a coffeehouse than a concert stage needs to see her in concert. I plan to see her again. But this time, I'll try to know the lyrics.