Cigarettes, Chocolate Milk and Elton John

Scored tix last week from KCRW to see Rufus Wainwright at UCLA's Royce Hall. Maria and I headed up there Thursday night, plopped down $7 for parking and got there in time to see opening act Shannon McNally right at 8 p.m.

McNally, who also sings backup with Rufus on tour, has a pleasant alt country twang to her and pulled off a pretty solid set. After a nice and short intermission, Rufus hopped on stage and gave a satisfying show.

Rufus' music is large, ambitious and larger than life -- much like the singer himself, who throws much of his flamboyant, slightly goofy persona into his show. As a matter of fact, in this case it might almost be too much of a good thing. Memo to Rufus: Less talk, more rock. (Or, I suppose in his case, more folkish-rock).

Surprise guest Elton John provided one of the night's highlights, hopping on stage to duet with Rufus on "Greek Song" (see pics here).

And for a second time in a week, I spotted Rufus papa and folk singer Loudon Wainwright III. This time, Loudon was in the audience with a little girl. Rufus i.d.'ed the girl as his little 9-year-old sister, who had come to see him perform on stage for the first time.