(By all accounts, the band's celebration of ESPECIALLY FOR YOU 's 10th anniversary was extra special. A special thanks to Rich for his review of that night's proceedings in the nation's capitol.)
The show started with a four song acoustic set (which would have made things special in itself), and ended with a run through of "the hits (or as Mike refers to it, "the songs we HAVE to do."). The show wasn't one of the longer sets the guys have done, and they have a reputation for playing long at the Bayou, but there was definitely an air of something special happening.
You're all probably aware of Pat DiNizio's reputation for abusing me during their concerts...probably because I'm continually standing in front of Jimmy! I've been sweated on, hit by an errant guitar head-stock, been pelted by rapid-fire guitar pick shrapnel, and last night, in addition to looking me in the eye and shouting (off mic) "Hey, what's up, m-f'er!", mid-set, Pat stepped on my head, and pushed down, leaving the imprint of his Converse All-Stars, not to mention the residue of spilled beer, sweat, and the loogies he'd been coughing up periodically, and stepping in! He later said it was his way of including me in the show! He's going to kill me one of these days!
After the show, there wasn't much time for any really important chatter, just a lot of small talk, catching up, and "how did you like it?" I did talk with Dennis about the Beach Boys' PET SOUNDS box set, for which he's writing an essay. The box has been delayed constantly, and there's some talk that it may not come out at all. Dennis couldn't really make the picture any clearer, saying "I'll believe it when it's in my hands." Contrary to some info we've had about it, Dennis is NOT re-writing the entire box set booklet, but merely contributing a small section of liner notes.
This was one to remember.
The set:
Yesterday Girl (acoustic)
Maria Elena (acoustic)
Blue Period (acoustic)
Elaine (acoustic)
Strangers When We Meet
Listen To Me Girl
Groovy Tuesday
Cigarette
I Don't Want To Lose You
Time & Time Again
Behind The Wall Of Sleep
In A Lonely Place
Blood And Roses
Crazy Mixed-Up Kid
Hand Of Glory
Alone at Midnight
Only A Memory
Miles From Nowhere
Top Of The Pops
House We Used To Live In
Rumble
A Girl Like You