Star Tribune photo by Tom Wallace

Adele had some news for the full house at the X on Wednesday: That jerk who inspired all but one song on her "21" album, they talked about five days ago and they're friends again. So the songs have a different kind of bitterness for her now, she said.

But there was one tune, "One and Only," about a different guy, and she cussed him out before launching into it.

Adele's spontaneous, free-wheeling and so-real personality was delightful as she talked about everything from her mum's favorite band (the Cure) to what she ate the night before (quail with white truffles and honey at 112 Eatery). Although she's been known to suffer from stage fright, she seemed more comfortable and confident than in her two previous Twin Cities theater appearances, as my review stated..

For the most part, Adele was in good voice, getting jazzy on "My Same," gospelly "One and Only," countyish on the power ballad "Don't You Remember" and dancefloor funky on "Rumour Has It" (a song she said was tongue in cheek). She seemed a little off on "Chasing Pavements," the Cure's spare "Lovesong" was less effective in an arena than on record, and her reading of "I Can't Make You Love Me" (her favorite song ever) lacked the gut-wrenching desperation of Bonnie Raitt's famous version. But, those are small quibbles.

After a summer of female pop divas relying on dancers, pyro and glitz to carry their shows, it was refreshing to see a star who appeared on a sparse stage (decorated only with antique lamps and lampshades), didn't change outfits and didn't use any bells and whistles, save for a disco ball for "Make You Feel My Love" (for which she asked concertgoers to hold up their cell phones so Amy Winehouse could look down and see us).

Opening act Wanda Jackson's performance was an abbreviated version of what the 73-year-old rockabilly queen did as a headliner at the Minnesota Zoo nearly three weeks ago. The main difference was the addition of a trumpeter and saxophonist, who added emotions, including an eerieness to "Shakin' All Over."

Here is Adele's set list:

Hometown Glory/ I'll Be Waiting/ Don't You Remember/ Turning Tables/ Set Fire to the Rain/ If It Hadn't Been for Love (Steeldrivers)/ My Same/ Take It All/ Rumour Has It/ Right as Rain/ One and Only/ Lovesong (the Cure) / Chasing Pavements/ I Can't Make You Love Me (the Bonnie Raitt hit)/ Make You Feel My Love ENCORE Someone Like You/ Rolling in the Deep