Hmmm. On June 27, 2008, shortly after an introduction by Martin Lewis, Neil Innnes took the stage. He performed two sets of material, no encores and no "How Sweet". Playing with instruments borrowed from stores and sponsors, with what one expects to be limited rehearsal time, there were more mistaken lyrics and other mishaps than one usuallly gets from a Neil concert in Southern California when he has already been on tour and has gotten plenty of rehearsal time.

That is all the negative stuff I have to tell you about the concert. The rest was magic.

The loose playing of Neil, he blamed on playing with the Bonzos. The concert had the feel of Neil playing with just his friends in the room. This became true as some of Neil' friends joined him on stage including our beloved Bonnie and Laurie, Rutling Ken, and Vet Ken

With little or no advertisement, the Egyptian Theatre was about two thirds full. Still this was probably the biggest audience that Neil has performed at one concert in Los Angeles since the Hollywood Bowl concert. And it was the most fun Neil concert since the last time he performed in Hollywood.

I will leave off for now as I expect that Madeline has some comments to make and I am more interested in reading hers as a first time Neil concert goer than giving mine.

 

Yeah, that was a great show last night. I, too, was a little disappointed at not hearing "How Sweet to be an Idiot," but am thankful he played another favorite of mine, "Godfrey Daniels" (which he almost forgot about, seemingly - calling up Ken to the stage, and then saying, "Whoops, hang on a minute, Ken, its not time yet," before putting on the oversized Elton glasses at the "piano"...

Great show.

So what was that film we saw at the end of the show? Was that highlights from the 2006 Bonzo live DVD? I don't have a copy yet (I just ordered it from Amazon due to last night's show), so I didn't recognize it...

During the show, Neil brought up Emo Philips (the comic) to the stage to help out with a number. Later he quipped that he was going to head out to Vegas over the weekend, and that Emo was going to show him around town.

 

After my last post, sent from the place where I teach, I had just one violin student and then zipped over to the metro gold line. I decided to take the metro again because I thought the after party was going to be another arm-band, VIP-only thing. Oops!

In line, I met Lara and her friend Andrew, who is also a Neil fan. Yay! Another Innesboarder, in-person. Every time I meet one, I feel like cheering, “You exist!”

And then the one we all missed yesterday: John stepped out of the “Pig n’ Whistle.” I can’t say, "a guy stepped out of the Pig n’ Whistle who turned out to be John," because I recognized him immediately. Don’t know how, when I was sure 3 other guys were him at the premiere Thursday until they turned out not to be. I introduced him to Lara. We chatted and I forced him to listen to my version of Theme from IBOR, after about five minutes of techie problems (I had the headphones plugged into the mic input of my minidisc player ). (No, I didn't record the concert.)

They let us in! And we grabbed seats in the second row! The bad seats at a movie are the good seats at a concert, as John astutely observed. I’m bad at estimating crowds, so I asked him to. He thinks 300-400 people. Sorry if I’m repeating what he already mentioned, but I decided not to read the other accounts of this until I wrote my own.

On stage: Neil’s two guitars plus one each for Rutling Ken and Vet Ken, who popped in and out; a uke; a Quacksie (unused that evening!); a travel guitar and a <ahem> “keyboard, very similar to one I’ve got, generously supplied by Roland!” (who also kindly leant out mics and amps.) Of course, Neil can’t just mention a product; he has to find out what it does special and incorporate it into a new song, as you probably already heard!

I forgot to tell you that Martin made all the same announcements and jokes before the concert that he did before the premiere, i.e., “If you are here for the Lindsay Lohan film festival, or if your idea of a good time is watching a movie/concert on a screen this big <holds up cell phone>, please go next door.”

One unexpected, magical effect of holding a concert in a non-concert venue: if you were in the first couple of rows, and if, when Martin announced “Mr. Neil Innes!” you looked to your left as the door opened, then you were blinded by a deluge of daylight from which Neil emerged. Okay, I’m exaggerating: he was wearing black, so you could see him out there. But the light was still neat, especially if it happened to be your very first Neil concert.

“Okay, Hello… to mention but two stupid magazines.”

He did the “Good evening everybody, it’s great to be.” shtick and then played “Urban spaceman.” When he sang “My natural exuberance spills out all over the place,” some jerk in the audience took it upon herself to sing the sax line.

“Ba-DOOP-poop-poop-poop-poop-poop-poop-poop-poop.”

It was me. It made Neil laugh, but it was kind of a flustered laugh.

“Thank you. That was, of course, our medley of hit.” He tells the story of areas marked off for development being known as urban space and his conclusion that there must be urban spacemen.

Then he did Eye Candy. Looking back now, I’ll never know how he managed that difficult song with that same ** in the audience… thankfully, someone behind me told me to cool it half way through. If you’re reading this, thank you thank you thank you for bringing me back to consideration, and to everyone within earshot last night, I’m sorry again. I was so caught up that I barely realized I was singing. Loudly. And drumming. Anybody read the first 2 pages of Master and Commander? Aubrey was really well-mannered. (Later that evening, I apologized to Neil.)

After the song, Neil said, “This is intended to be an interactive show; I have some special guests and I’ve chosen some things that you will be asked to participate in – so get ready! And feel free to join in any time, especially when you’re supposed to.” Point taken.

Then he brought Emo Phillips and Mark Nutter up for a rousing rendition of “Jollity Farm.” Neil was on keyboard, Emo played the soprano recorder and Mark, the melodica.


Oh yeah, and the audience was the farm animals. The guests leave, Neil picks up his guitar and:

“Y’all like country music?”
“Yeeeeeee-haaaw!”
He gives that come-on-that-was-pathetic look.
“Ah sahyed, Y’ALL LAHK COUNTRY MEWWWWSIC??”
“YEEEEEEEEEEE-HAAAAAAAAWW!!!!!”
“GOOD! You won’t after this.”

You and I know what he does with the song, but it was the first “Crystal Balls” experience for a good portion of the audience. It was a blast. Gawwww-ly.

Now comes that new song: “Surly in the Morning.” A good old-fashioned 12-bar blues... accompanied by what Neil called "Brian Wilson stuff." Every time Neil touches a key, a pleasant mechanical voice sings a scat syllable. Which syllable it is depends on how hard he hits the key. Listening to this strange, whimsical keyboard effect for 4 or 5 verses of a twelve-bar blues was like watching slow-motion footage of people on the tea-cup ride at Disneyland, half of whom are dizzy and thrilled and the other half, really nauseous. Which group best represents you? I'm in the dizzy, thrilled camp. The line, “Black dog howlin’ in my head” was a nice hangover metaphor.

Then a 6- or 7-year-old kid yells, “Do ‘Cheese and Onions!’ ” Neil looks out into the audience for the kid and says, “I have grandchildren now, and only the other day I ATE one of ‘em!” He promises to do “Cheese and Onions” later on.

 

PART 2 PART 2 PART 2!!!!! We want part 2!!!

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"We can blame Neil for everything!" - Roger Ruskin Spear after being told the story of my name!

Me on myspace

 

[while we're waiting for Madeleine's "part two"]

Yeah, that "Surly in the Morning" song was a nice twist - using those sampled "Beach Boys"-sounding harmonies on/from the keyboard. It was strange because there was silence in between Neil hitting the keys, so it sounded like Neil had the Beach Boys standing behind him gasping for breath at regular intervals.

But it was a fun moment in time.

The Egyptian is only a couple of blocks from the Hollywood/Highland center (where they do the Academy Awards). They made such a big deal some time back about "cleaning up" Hollywood. Back in the 70s and 80s Hollywood was similar to (but not nearly as bad as) New York's Times Square. Lots of gang activity, hookers and drug dealers.

I thought they had cleaned things up (for a time at least), but my impression on Friday was that the area was slowly reverting to its dingy past. It reminded me on Coney Island, where a small group of individuals were trying to preserve things (like the Egyptian Theater).

Oh, and Neil had a good line about him flying into Hollywood to do a benefit for a theater...

 

"This next song... well I don't really know what it's about," he lies.
"I suppose it's about greed and class and... well, everybody wants to own a yacht. But if everybody owned a yacht, there would be no trees left; they'd all be cut down to make the yachts. And there'd be special yacht lanes in the ocean for two or more persons on a yacht."

I let this and the rest of his eloquent summation sink in as he played the introduction to "Never Alone," and by the end of the song I was just about in tears. The man on the other side of John remarked, "Well that song alone makes it worth getting the album."

A smooth change to ukelele for "All Alone." If you are only familiar with the version on Works in Progress, hearing it with one voice and one uke is an experience not to be missed. John chuckled several times, which might have been in response to the juxtaposition of a serious song with what is usually a light-hearted, whimsical instrument. For me, the small sound of the uke painted a picture of loneliness that made the lyrics of the song so much more poignant and moving than I ever realized. I could no longer hold in the tears, so I let them go. He invited us to sing along with him at the end. After the applause, he said:

"Thank you. I think all of us singing 'all alone' together pretty much sums up the human condition."

Neil brings up Rutling Ken. "Tell a joke while I'm tuning." Ken's look says, You tell a joke.
"I'll tell one, then," says Neil. He tells a one-liner about the Irish; I wish I had gotten it down. But I did get the follow-up ones. I can't tell them properly, so I'll just direct you to them. He tells the first one, we groan, he grins and says, "It gets worse." Then he tells the second one, we groan, he grins and says, "It gets worse." Then he tells the third one.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=101471

He tunes his guitar and says, I've never understood why a guitar string would go sharp." They play "Face Mail in the Meat Zone." We are an appreciative audience, clapping after both of Ken's solos. Neil quips, "He's part gypsy, you know. He gets paid by the note."

Then he tells how he was asked in the '90s if the Rutles would do a reunion album. He mentioned it to George Harrison, who said, "Oh yeah? Which of you is going to get murdered?" So Neil wasn't too keen on the idea - until he wrote this next song, "Questionnaire." This is beautiful as a duo. Ken covers the string parts when they play in thirds in the interlude before the last verse. They arpeggiate the last chord slowly together, and the audience lets it ring and fade before beginning its heartfelt applause. I hear a "wow" behind me.

Next is a wonderful rendition of "Joe Public." I have a newfound love of guitar duos now. This is one where I really wish I had turned on the minidisc recorder; it felt like a fresh, new song. You know, when you've performed a song for a long time, it's very easy to become detached and let the song play itself. Many musicians do this when they're only doing a show for the money, or when they're not adequately paid. Neil, of course, does not do shows only for the money, but was also not adequately paid, and yet he was in top form the whole time, singing the songs with as much sincerity and immediacy as ever.

Next, I and a few hundred other people are sworn in as Ego Warriors. And then, to cap off the first half, we sing the "Philosopher's Song." Many, many people sitting around me knew every word of the "Philosopher's Song." I knew about half of them. Oh well, he's written so many songs, I guess it's okay that I don't know all of them by heart yet.

Neil says, "There will now be an interval," which sounds funny to those of us who call it an intermission. He promises to sign things after the show, but please, not during the interval.

During the interval, Rutling Ken finds Bonnie and Laurie -- and they should probably tell this part. Also, Lara announces that she had found somebody cool in the audience.

 

Okay Madeleine, I will!

I had gone out for a fag as soon as Neil started Ego Warriors song (one can only be sworn in so many times before it loses all meaning) and then came back in right when intermission started. Saw the Kens, gave RK a big hug and told him how wonderful it was to see him playing with Neil again (they hadn't played together in like 2 years, and after only a couple hours to rehearse right before the show, they were perfect together again). Then Ken says, "Neil wants you and Laurie to do I Give Myself To You with him." AAAAHH!! Laurie and I hadn't even sung that together in the car for probably 2 or 3 years, and neither of us could remember it. But we thought, oh we have to, so we went outside the theater and practiced it a few times. Unbeknownst to me, Christine told me later, as we were practicing Kevin McDonald from Kids in the Hall walked by, AAHHH!! And Madeleine had already told us that Dan Castellaneta was sitting behind her, and we also saw Jeff Lynn and Joe Walsh walk in. So we were going to do that song in front of those people, on top of what, 300 or 400 people in the audience? But I was a lot less scared than I thought I should be, mostly because Neil was flubbing up so much during the concert, and Ken & Ken were up there with him, so it was just like joining family to have some fun.

In the second act Vet Ken joined RK & Neil... they do great backing vocals together for Neil, and VK also plays guitar. Neil & Vet Ken did With A Girl Like You and they blended beautifully. I'd never heard them do that together, and had no idea VK had such a beautiful voice. So then after a few Rutles songs Neil said, "I'd like to coax to the stage now..." and I knew that had to be us! So we got up and everybody clapped... I think... I was in a bit of a daze the whole time (natural brain chemicals only, I swear) as it was so freaky. I mostly closed my eyes or looked at Laurie because we were still struggling to remember it, but a couple times I looked over and Neil was really hamming it up his part. Then afterwards Laurie and I started cracking up, and I immediately got off the stage, then Neil or someone told me to turn around, because Neil wanted to give us a hug, so I/he did. It was hard to sing it because you can't tell how loud you are. We stood kind of back from the microphone. So god knows how it sounded. But it was so much fun, and I guess we did okay because alot of people came up to me & Laurie afterwards saying it was good and a few even said they thought it was the highlight of the evening! ha ha what a hoot. So we just ran back to our seats and watched him do the last few songs (or was there just one after that? I can't remember) Then after it was over Neil bowed and left, and of course everybody stood and clapped for encore, but Martin Lewis came out and said Neil wasn't going to do an encore but will be signing autographs in the lobby, and that anybody could come to the back room of the bar next door for the after party. Cool! The first night it was just us wristband people. So Madeleine and Lara joined us. It was really cool getting to talk to them... we're all real people to each other now! And great seeing JAH... though too bad John you couldn't have hung out afters.

Oh, and the coolest little thing; alot of Neil fans we'd never met were coming up to me & Laurie afterwards, and it was really weird knowing everyone there knew who we were after our little performance. After the show I went back outside to the courtyard for a fag, and I was sitting there as Joe Walsh & Jeff Lynn came out. I tried not to look at them because I don't want to stare, but I looked up as they walked by, and Joe Walsh looked down at me, smiled, nodded and patted my shoulder as he walked by. That was really cool!

I could type about 10 pages on the last 3 days, but I think this is enough for now!

_________________
I have no idea what's going on.

 

Someone put up some of Neil's performance from Friday on You Tube already!

http://youtube.com/user/Aquigoth

Thankfully he/she did not include I Give Myself To You!

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I have no idea what's going on.

 

I counted 3 video cameras, and a bunch of cell phones held up at various times...

 

Hmmm. Hey Bonnie, I am sorry that I could not stay either. I ended up spending most of the weekend working, finishing up projects and the like so that I could leave my job with a clear conscience. Next Monday, I am starting work at a new job and I am ready to take a short vacation starting tomorrow.

As for the concert, it may not have been the most polished, but it was certainly a blast.

 

Rhett, I just wanted to say that I totally agree with you on points 1, 2 and 3. I get tired of Neil always being attached to Python or Rutles. I like WAY, but he is no comparison of the quality of music Neil has written. I have no idea why they shot the picture of him way out in the field. Maybe because it symbolizes he wants to practice his art, but not be too close to be treated like a celebrity. I don't see him as a celebrity. He is a musician, comedian, and down right good guy to his fans and family. You don't see that very often. I never thought I would get to say a few words to someone I respect who also happens to be talented and shares his talent with his fans.

On to Beatlefest!! I'm just worried about when the doc will actually be shown, will it be once or twice? If it only shows on Friday, I'm totally screwed because I won't be in until Saturday. I orignally had booked a flight for Friday, but changed to keep costs down. Now the $120 for a room for an extra night doesn't seem to much. It would have been worth it.

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http://www.myspace.com/bevo85

 

Rocky! You jumped topics,you ol' Evel Knievel you!

RE: The "All Things Must Pass" reference, I thought I read somewhere that the photo WAS taken in Friar Park on or about the same spot. Funny thing though...the image of Neil in white trousers,Hawaiian shirt,Panama Hat,strumming his ukelele...bears a nose rankling resemblance to a photo of Eric Idle in white trousers,Hawaiian shirt,Panama Hat and strumming his ukelele,which appears on the back of Eric's Tour Programs!
( Ooopsies! )

Beatlefest...shall indeed rock! ( If not,we shan't speak of it ever again. )

~Rhett

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Happy Trails To YOU , 'til we meet again!

 

It was so great to see everybody again! And it was really cool meeting Madeline and JAH from this board. For me the highlights all involved seeing my friends performing with Neil. Everybody loved hearing Bonnie and Laurie sing again. And both of the Kens are terrifically talented. Once again, it was another TRIUMPH in Hollywood!

God bless Martin Lewis. Monday he'll be bringing Buzz Aldrin to the Egyptian, and that sounds like a fun thing to do on my last night in LA.

Sorry I didn't point out Kevin McDonald to you Bonnie. Happy Birthday Laurie!

Looking forward to Chicago
Christine

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http://www.myspace.com/cyberbeagle

 

Sorry I've taken so bloody long to post these pictures, but I suppose it's better late than never... so here we go.

I didn't take any pictures of the preparty or event, etc on Thursday for The Seventh Python, but I took bunches on Friday for the show.

On the way to the Egyptian, I stopped by McDonald's (yuck!) for a nosh, and I found 1/2 of a group of Kiss impersonators eating salads.



Then, I got my lovely seat in the second row, and lo and behold, right behind me was a face i certainly recognized. It was none other than Dan Castellaneta (AKA the voice of Homer Simpson--amoung other things), so during the intermission I kindly asked for a picture, and he complied. (Note how he's wearing the typical Homer Simpson-esque short sleeved white button up.)



Before I get to the pics of the actual show, I have a few more taken afterwards. I wanted a picture with Laurie, so while Neil was dressing, we snapped a few, and to our surprise, he crashed this one.



Finally, here's one of me and Neil at the Pig N Whistle. I was about to leave, so I wanted to say "bye" to him, but we ended up talking for a while about David Battley, and the garden Yvonne and Olivia did for George Harrison, and also about his (at that time) upcoming trip to Vegas to see Love and Spamelot. He was very excited. It was getting late, and the fans were patiently waiting for autographs, so I left, but not before he insisted that we take a picture together.



So that's enough of my personal escapades; here are the pictures of the concert:

















I have some more... and some video I may put up later, but this gonna be it for now. Enjoy!

 

Thanks Lara - great snaps!

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"Shoes is not cake."
Bonnie