Ang and I caught Christopher Guest's Vancouver date on the Mighty Wind tour, featuring the three mock bands from the recent movie. I expected a production similar to the Steinbloom family tribute portrayed in the movie and was treated to just that, complete with introductions by Jonathan Steinbloom (who warned us to watch our step on the wet pavement and avoid dangerous electrical equipment while nervously observing the stage crew). I was a little disappointed in the lack of a set, none of the cool faux-3D buildings or the banjo from the movie, they kept stage setup to a mere collection of microphones and monitors...
First up were the new main street singers, playing such hits as Main street rag, Never did no wanderin', just that kinda day, fare away, the good book song and potato's in the paddy wagon. A lot of references made to inside jokes from the movie (but of course, everyone in the audience was all too familiar) centered around Terry and Laurie Bohner (and the type of films she used to make before joining the group) as well as Sissy, Parker Posey's character. Terry, in keeping with the movie, basically told everyone when to stop...I believe it was actually Jordan (front row center!) who yelled "I love you Sissy", which got her attention followed by Terry's "Sit down! Don't talk to her!". He introduced everyone but Tony who actually never touched a string on his guitar the whole night...A lot of new material that played up on jokes from the movie including troubles at the border, the Lohner's color cult and the hazing of the new member.
Without more than a few words from Jonathan between sets, the Folksmen took the stage opening with "Never did no wanderin'", despite them skipping it in the movie as TNMSS had previously covered it...so we heard it twice, but it's my favorite song for technical non-humor value. Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer then treated us to Old Joe's place, Loco Man (introduced as a failed folk-calypso crossover, folklypso), the barnyard song, Blood on the Coal (introduced "sometimes a really great catchy song comes from a horrible, horrible tragedy) plus a HILARIOUS cover of "Start Me Up" (you make a dead man coooooome....). Harry Shearer was of course dressed as a woman because...well, it continues where the movie left off. No need for delays as Mitch did not go a-wanderin'.
With another word from Jonathan Steinbloom, Mitch and Mickey took the stage (Eugene Levy and Catherine O'Hara) with when you're next to me, one more time, the Shur-Flow theme (introduced as her husband's product theme, which the rest of the band agreed to perform...Mitch plus a bass and backing guitar), as well as the Ballad of Bobby and June and their signature piece, A kiss at the end of the rainbow. In the movie, of course, they kiss at the end of the song which was played up a bit on stage, requiring seconds, maybe thirds...I kinda doubt they were fulfilling the request that came from the balcony, "Play your catheter song!"...as they were a bit short on material and filled in with Shur-flow for a laugh.
With a final word from Jonathan ("I was kicked by a llama in a petting zoo as a child"), all three bands returned for the "A Mighty Wind" song, performed verbatim as in the movie. Unexpectedly, they all came back for one encore, which consisted of a new song that I can only presume was entitled "Thank you".
Overall, a very funny concert, running 1h55m solid with no intermission. I was unfamiliar with the soundtrack, which introduced a few nice surprises including the stones cover. I'm told that the "folksmen" originally opened for Spinal Tap, when they toured in support of the 1983 movie, but were despised by audiences everywhere, unrecognized as the same members in different costumes. Yesterday, they were hailed as folk legends...it's amusing how the audience reacted as was expected for each group...with most of the applause being reserved for Mitch and Mickey, the sweethearts of folk. It seems everybody was roleplaying to a certain extent that night...
Merchandise:
Poster $15
T-shirt $30
DVD $25
Vinyl Album $20
Songbook $20
Final thoughts...SEE THE MOVIE.
p.s. I share Jonathan's affliction...damn llamas...ask me about it when I'm a little tipsy...
MORE TO COME
Scuba diving lesson with pictures (of me hovering I believe)
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