Unfortunately as I'm putting this page
together, over a month has elapsed since the most recent of these shows.
With that in mind, I've at 
last
realized that if I continue waiting to find the time to do a page on each
individually (which I assure you, each does, in fact, deserve) the next two
shows may have already passed as well; hence this combined overview.
That said, the first show was an acoustic performance
on a quiet Mon. evening at The Point in Bryn Mawr, PA. Characterized by
Brian and Ed's always excellent musicianship, the show featured an eclectic
setlist that opened with that long-established fave of mine, "Forgotten
Sounds", included the irony-laced "Incidental", the delicate new
song, "Everything Becomes Beautiful", and concluded with the
rock-tinged "Northwoods"...all peppered throughout with a bit of
Brian's ever-present tongue-in-cheek/wry-humored commentary. On this
evening the running joke began with the announcement that Brian had copies of
his latest (and arguably greatest) CD, State of Grace, available for a
cost of "ten bucks" each. 
"But
the first person
who approaches me," Brian continued, "I'll sell you one for seven...I need seven bucks
to make the tolls back to Jersey."
And, though not a joke by any means, he also shared
with the audience that he'd very recently become a "parent"...to an
adorable seven-week-old pug named Bailey. And in case you can't visualize
just how adorable she truly is, I've included a picture here to serve as proof.
The second show was a full-band performance at
Brian's "home" club, The Underpass, in Elmwood Park, NJ....which on
this occasion was -- 
appropriately -- featuring Brian as a part of its 5th
anniversary celebration. And, as I've said before so many times, while
this show included several songs that were played acoustically at The Point the
week before, in this very different setting, with the addition of different
participants in the music's creation, both these and the tunes that comprised
the variations of the setlist on this night took on a whole new life and fairly
dripped with unique energy and power.
And, while it is arguable that the evening was characterized
by many highlights, I must admit the moment that stood out the most for me was
the surprise addition of the Michael McDermott-penned "Kung Fu
Videos". For, while Brian has included this in acoustic shows from
time to time, this performance marked its debut with the full-band, and it
completely ROCKED! But lest anyone misunderstand and gather the mistaken
impression that I'd rather hear 
Brian perform covers than his own
impeccably crafted songs, the reason this particular tune so impressed me yet again is
that Brian has long-since made it so entirely his own. As a matter of
fact, at a show earlier this year Michael himself invited Brian onstage and
introduced this song with the words, "He's gonna do one of my songs 'cause
he does it better than I do!"
Be that as it may, surely no one else could have given
a better performance of this set of songs than Brian and his band did on this
beautiful summer night...in fact, my only regret surrounding the entire occasion
is that everyone reading this recap of it couldn't have (like me!) been there to enjoy it!
Setlist for The Point 8/19/02
Setlist for The Underpass 8/25/02
1. Forgotten
Sounds
1. Caroline
2. Cross That
Line
2. Cross That Line
3.
Thinking
3. Thinking
4.
Incidental
4. Kung Fu Videos
5. Everything Becomes
Beautiful
5. Further Down The Line
6. Further Down The
Line
6. The Greeting
7. I Can't Be Your
Savior
7. Sweet Maria
8. Sweet
Maria
8. Starlight
9. Northwoods
9. I Can't Be Your Savior
10. Northwoods
As always, thanks much Bri and band!
See you next time!
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