Singing Our Own Praises

July 24th 2007

New York, NY- What to say about the ol’ residency at Joe’s Pub?

Hmm. Nice place. As always. Friendly staff.

Okay, here we go: I’m proud of the band for the three shows.

March set was somber and dreary. We were exhausted and drained by the Caribbean. I wanted to play a beautiful mellow collection of pastoral music but it wasn’t coming together. The crowd was restless. So, I resorted to some theatrics late in the show in a desperate attempt to infuse energy into blandness. Cowardly or wise? The music was fine. But music alone, my friends, is overrated.

May was inspired. A wacky retelling of the “That’s What I Like” CD as a mad caper through the Mediterranean. Not everyone’s cup of tea, for sure, but we committed whole-heartedly to the embarrassing spectacle and left our dignity in the dressing room.

Shrinking violets we are not.

Riley as the magnificent carnival barker, Kevin as Gaston LePew, Candace as Catherine Gramm-Cracker, Tony as a dastardly Neapolitan waiter, Tim and John as the European rhythm police, and yours truly as tragic hero. See it soon in a multiplex near you! Yes, there were 3 cameras there. I dread the day when I’m strapped in to watch the final edit.

I think it would be much better as an animated cartoon a la “Yellow Submarine.” Anyone know a genius animator?

July, as planned, was completely different. “Salvation.” Another sold out show; Riley sporting a fabulous bow tie; Alexis England, Martha Redbone and Victoria Villalobos adding some stunning backing vocals. A wee bit more spiritual than the Mediterranean romp. Banjos and mandolins and Tony Liberaunchy making some juicy piano.

Three shows, three entirely different sets of music.

Folks, there is no other band like us. End of story.