Train [ tickets ] lead singer Pat Monahan [ tickets ] kicked off his debut solo tour on a triumphant note--not in terms of numbers but sheer entertainment value.

With or without Train, Monahan--playing to a sparse crowd of about 150 at Tempe, AZ's Marquee Theatre Thursday (Oct. 4)--is a polished performer. He makes full use of the stage, strolling and sometimes sliding back and forth. He's animated, and his pristine vocals are effortless.

It was unfortunate that the show, in support of Monahan's debut solo effort "The Last of Seven," didn't attract more fans. But the small crowd was fervently supportive of the singer, who admitted he was nervous.

"I'm scared," he said early on in the show. "It's OK to be scared. That's what they say. "

In reality, Monahan didn't have anything to worry about. He and his new band--guitarist Luis Maldonado, keyboardist/guitarist Jerry Becker, bassist Brett Simons, drummer Matt Lucich and background vocalist Sakai--were tight.

And the crowd, big on audience participation, ate it up. They sang along to new material, such as "Ripple in the Water" and "Great Escape," and were so familiar with "The Last of Seven" track "Raise Your Hands" that they followed every twist of the chorus. For a small crowd, the audience made a lot of noise as they sang along to the chorus of Train's "Drops of Jupiter."

In keeping with Train's tradition of playing Led Zeppelin covers, Monahan followed his former band's song "Free" with the classic-rock band's "Whole Lotta Love." His falsetto vocals ably wrapped around Maldonado's searing guitar riffs, and, during a breakdown, Monahan, on the toms, and Lucich performed a drum solo. The show closed with not a Led Zeppelin cover, but a smoking rendition of Stevie Wonder's "Superstition."

Set List:
Ripple in the Water
Raise Your Hands
Drops of Jupiter
Get to Me
Great Escape
Two Ways to Say Goodbye
Free
Whole Lotta Love
Ooh My My
Meet Virginia
All American Girl
Pirate on the Run
Thinkin Bout You
Her Eyes

Encore:
Someday
Always Midnight
Calling All Angels
Superstition