Michael Simmons wrote:

> Seeing these guys do their two man show was
> better than anything I'd seen either of them
> do before or since...

Mike, we've probably spoken about this before and I don't remember (due to
any number of circumstances), but were you at the John Anson Ford show in,
what, 1996? I was there and I remember it being an amazing, one-of-a-kind
musical evening, now a cherished memory.

Hanging out before the show, a few of us noticed a doe and her fawn standing
on the grassy hillside behind the amphitheater (I believe Neil or Tim
mentioned it onstage later), as if a sign pointing to the mellow night
ahead. It was one of those oh-so-Los Angeles evenings, starting out
golden-peach in color, then gracefully chameleon-ing into a soft blue
twilight, followed by an airplane-besparkled evening sky, as warm and soft
as a fair embrace; the insistent background hum of the 101 freeway washed
the window world away in a gauzy layer of white noise.

The only things onstage were a baby grand piano (kind of beaten-looking), a
small drumkit bedecked in twinkling lights, a couple of guitars and amps, a
bass, I think, various percussion devices, and a couple of mic stands; very
spare. I remember thinking that they probably wouldn't be able to do too
much, musically speaking, with only the two of them and a collection of gear
worthy of a modest garage rehearsal space (well, maybe not the baby grand).

Boy was I wrong.

They proceeded to *kill* everyone with those only-as-brothers-can harmonies.
The material from "Finn" took on new life, with "Only Talking Sense" being
especially wonderful. They went through material spanning all phases of
their careers, expertly switching instruments between them, trading vocals
and spinning their rock-n-roll stories; it felt like an intimate family
gathering. It was simply a joy to watch them both move from drums to piano,
guitar to bass, whatever, and to do so with such aplomb; these guys are
*incredible* musicians, first and foremost. When they performed the Crowded
House chestnut "It's Only Natural" I about fucking *died*, it was so
perfect; ditto "Four Seasons in One Day". "How Will You Go" was absolutely
devastating, man; unreal, the journey that song took us all on (I'm actually
getting goosebumps recalling this now). I think they closed with a joyous
"Message to My Girl"; I wish I could remember the entire setlist.

Seeing the two of them onstage having so much fun making music left a deep
and lasting impression on me. The sense of pop history (never repeats) they
represented, up there on stage, was quite tangible and impressive. These
guys were as loose and as gracious as could be, just oozing music and
enthusiasm from every pore; this was definitely one of the best, most
uplifting performances I've ever had the good fortune of witnessing. It
kicked my ass.

Mike, did you archive this show? I would LOVE to hear it if so. Let
daddy-bears know, 'k? :+

kErrY kOMpOsT

www.mp3.com/kompost

NP: Supertramp - Crime of the Century