Neil Innes, a comedian of unmatched talents, performed his one-man-musical at the Tin Angel in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Wednesday, October 13, 2004. Innes was road-testing the material from his long-awaited first new studio album due for release in 2005.

     Innes appeared from behind the stage, asking the audience, "How we doing? It's wonderful to be ...", with a pause. Launching with a brief version of "I'm The Urban Spaceman", more abbreviated comical numbers followed in succession.

     Armed with an acoustic guitar, Innes sang "Face Mail In The Meat Zone", a hilarious track off his anticipated new studio album. Seated behind the keyboards, he chatted about the silly titles of the vinyl 78's that The Bonzo Do Dah Dog Band use to record together.

     "I'm Going To Bring A Watermelon to My Girl Tonight" and "My Brother makes The Noises For The Talkies" were just two examples of his natural ability to breathe humor into long lost recordings from the previous century.

     Mentioning that the Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band were in EMI Studios on Abbey Road when The Fabs were recording, Innes shared his memories of The Beatles and the late George Harrison before singing the Harrison composition "I Want To Tell You" with keyboard accompaniment.

     "Never Alone" was another new melodic song performed on acoustic guitar. Innes paused to conduct a moment of merhcandise promotion at the table in the back of the venue. "I drink, therefore I am", were inspiring lyrics from "The Philsopher Song".

     Following the intermission wearing a duckhead amd making noises with a pink balloon, Innes treated the audience to the engaging "How Sweet To Be An Idiot" on keyboards. Performing what he classifies as Hitch HiKu on an odd instrument, "Evening Sun" was another musical glimpse from the new album.

Philadelphia setlist: I'm The Urban Spaceman * My Little Ukulele * Short Blues * Crystal Balls * Face Mail In The Meat Zone * I'm Going To Bring A Watermelon To My Girl Tonight * On Her Doorstep Last Night * Last Night On The Back Porch * My Brothers Makes The Noises For The Talkies * I Want To Tell You * Song In A French Accent > Love Is Getting Deeper * Protest Song * Never Alone * The Philosopher Song * intermission * How Sweet To Be An Idiot * Ballad Of Sir Robin * Evening Sun * Doubleback Alley > Good Times Roll > Another Day > Cheese And Onions (medley) * Ouch! * Friends At The End * Godfrey Daniel * Eye Candy * Ego Warriors * One Of Those People * Encore: I Must Be In Love * Back In `64

RockonTour   Issue #43
Concert Fan   Concertphile@yahoo.com

RockonTour.net - the Single Source for the Concertphile © 2005 RockonTour
RockonTour ™

 

From the Rutland Musicbook of Comedy
Neil Innes treats Philly to an evening of his musical suffering

by Timothy Tilghman