[Extended Play]

I can't believe I forgot about the Col. Les Claypool & His Fearless Flying Frog Brigade show I saw in New Orleans over Mardi Gras about three years ago (I think). That has to be one of my favorite all-time shows.

We got to the venue early (right by Lee circle @ the arts warehouse thingy) and were standing around the loading dock when this beatnik-looking guy with dark shades walks up and bangs on the loading door. It was only after he ducked under that we realized it was Les coming in from a parade. Unfortunately, the show itself was about 2 hours late. However, we got there early enough to be right in the front of the line.

When the gates finally opened, we managed to deposit our sad carcasses right in the front behind the barricades on the left side of the stage. It's maybe an understatement to say that it was just a good position, as we could clearly see Les & Eenore flailing about.

Probably the greatest thing about the performance was the seemingly free-form setlist. They went right into a cover of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (as Col. Claypool's Flying Frog Brigade), and segued into a version of With A Little Help From My Friends. Needless to say, I was in odd-ball heaven. That was shortly followed by Thela Hun Ginjeet. After that, it's all a blissful blur. I'm not sure if it was the huge green cloud or the music that took me under, but I'd love to get a copy of this one. The sound was absolutely horrible though. Oh well, it's nice to have, but a funky groove is better.

I'm pretty sure a few of the songs on there went on to be developed for Purple Onion, especially one that involved a single string bass with a hand crank on the tuner! Les would hit it with the drum stick and crank tighter or let it loose for the note & effect.

Galactic was supposed to come on after. By that time, it was about 1 and we'd been on our feet all day, so we just said 'screw it'. We'd already had our fill.

Tommy