It’s rare that we get our grubby little hands on something that’s unavailable anywhere else, but we believe this WEIRD AL performance to be a JON-KY EXCLUSIVE. It's hardly The Pharma Brothers Wu-Tang Album, Once Upon a Time in Shaolin, but it's as close as we're likely to get.
As you know, we’ve been making a pretty solid case for WEIRD AL’S BAND being one of THE WORLD’S GREATEST COVER BANDS.
As near as we can determine this is WEIRD AL and his band (TBITB) performing at a private party on an off night on the VANITY TOUR. AL’s opening act on that tour was the brilliant comedian EMO PHILIPS who’s no stranger to AL’s fans as he was in the weird one’s first film; UHF. It’s clearly at least partly Emo’s birthday party as there’s a hilarious short version of Yoda that’s about him.
The impromptu affair begins with Al’s Band jamming, and drives home how good they are. Al jumps up for Superstition & some wise guy requests (Loudon Wainwright III’s) Dead Skunk which seems to be an inside joke.
But the band accommodates the request, which emboldens another audience member to shout out Disco Duck, which the band takes a swipe at. Another heckler calls for (The Tubes’) Don’t Touch Me There, which devolves into I Touch Myself. The fourth request is the more challenging I’ve Never Been To Me by one hit wonder Charlene—which is actually quite good. But the hilarity is far from over.
After the short tribute version of Yoda (with Emo-specific lyrics), the guest of honor cracks a couple jokes.
I’ve rounded out that admittedly short set with the two songs that Al’s Band put out to come closer to our usual goal: CD-length compilations.
Downloaders are requested to “sing for their supper” by joining in the conversation in the comments.
ReplyDeleteToday’s query: What was the best spontaneous live performance you’ve personally witnessed?
I’ll go first: I used to go see a local band play on Monday Nights. Once, Dan Baird & Rick Richards of The Georgia Satellites jumped up and played a couple of numbers with them. (Of course one was Keep Your Hands To Yourself!)
Here’s the link:
WEIRD AL JAMS AT EMO PHILIPS' BIRTHDAY PARTY
https://pixeldrain.com/u/oC2eRCts
The best, was what happened after my band reprised our opening tune. It had been a favorite of the audience in previous gigs. When we wanted to leave the tune was requested again, so we did it. At the end of the song, the public took over the beat and for about I-Don't-Know they banged with and on whatever they could find. At one point it was definitely beyond closing time, and the band ourselves we're off stage, drinking at the bar, when suddenly two police-officers came into the bar, wanting to know why the bar was not closed. They asked the owner to stop the band, and he pointed at us, and said that we had stopped. They looked around, left, not knowing what to do against a hundred drunks partying, jamming and having a splendid time.
ReplyDeleteToo funny, Richard. "Mom can't whip us all!"
DeleteOne night in Bangkok (2010?) I was at Adhere The 13th Blues Bar with a friend, not many people, just a quiet night. However after some time I had to download some beer in the bathroom and noticed a small poster which announced a performance of Mason Ruffner that particular night! I couldn't believe my eyes, but he did indeed turned a little later with 2 local guys on bass and drums and gave a blistering show for a handfull of people... Even better, during the break, he continued playing solo, unreal! Perhaps not entirely spontaneous, but certainly worth watching!!
ReplyDeleteOne night in Bangkok would be a great song title, Koen! Sounds like you were meant to see that show.
DeleteStinky, I do not know if you are joking, not remember, or don't know.....Murray Head - One Night In Bangkok, huge hit in january 1985 from the musical Chess
DeleteYes, I was joking, Richard. It's something I say whenever someone uses a song title in conversation. The humor probably doesn't survive being typed out.
DeleteMy at the time girlfriend's brother, the late Rory MacLeod, was the bass player in the '70's version of Roomful of Blues with Duke Robillard (or as they called him Tub O' Lard). Roomful would practice at Grandma MacLeod's house down the road from me. Great sessions - I unfortunately lost the cassette of their Rebel without a Claus - "So sad when elves go bad, It's the worst Christmas that you ever had, I'm taking the stockings 'cause, I'm a rebel without a Claus!" or something like that.
ReplyDeleteTub O'Lard is hilarious, Will. That sounds fantastic!
DeleteIt really IS sad when elves go bad.
Good One!!
ReplyDeleteWhy, thank you, Jay Dee Gee!
DeleteI saw Joe Jackson so many years ago. The morning of the show the lead guitarist came down with a terrible case of the flu. Rather than cancel the show, everyone in the band took turns playing the lead guitar part on their own instruments. Everyone in the band had so much fun. You haven't lived until you've heard a lead guitar solo played on a tuba. The band loved it, the audience loved it more. It was an amazing and still unforgettable night.
ReplyDelete(The guitarist recovered and was able to rejoin the show the next day.)
Joe Jackson is a favorite around here, Bill, & that sounds like an amazing show! Thank you for commenting!
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