notes: 3/7/09, Triumph Brewing Company

This was a great time, with a ton of our friends and family out to join Triumph's ever-busy bar scene for just under three hours of music. With Joe's strat-and-tube-amp setup in tow, we packed the setlist with covers in deference to the Saturday-night crowd, took every opportunity to dig in to a tasty jam, and even gave permission for the manager to try out his new lights-and-fog rig, which he did to great (if bar mitzvah-like) effect during Joe's wah freakout in "While My Guitar Gently Weeps." Big thanks to our new friend Ken Adessa, whose expert tambourine held down the rhythm for about 75% of the set (he's a drummer in his own right for a few bands, including NJ soul outfit Enzo and the Bakers).

These Triumph shows can be a lot of fun, although I have to admit that I'm a sucker for the slow stuff that usually gets left out of these setlists. But Saturday night gigs are what they are, and you've got to play to your audience. Have no fear, of course...once I finish cutting up the audio for the decidedly-mellower 3/19 John & Peter's show, I'll be posting some of those tunes here.

For now, enjoy two taped-from-the-audience tracks from the show, "Corinne" (also known by its working title, "The Drunk Girl Song") and an interesting take on the George Harrison classic "While My Guitar Gently Weeps."

(NOTE: To hear full versions of these songs, you must apparently have an imeem profile. I will research different media hosts for future postings, I apologize for any inconvenience. For what it's worth, it takes about two seconds to set up a profile, and I'll vouch for seeing no spam emails or issues arise since I set mine up a year ago)

Corinne (live @ Triumph, 3/7/09).mp3 - Justin Pope & Friends

While My Guitar Gently Weeps (Harrison) (live @ Triumph, 3/7/09).mp3 - Justin Pope & Friends

03.07.09 - Triumph Brewing Company
Setlist:
(^ - featuring Joe Durniak, * - featuring Melanie Snyder, + - featuring Lisa Rich)

1. Saying Whatever (J. Durniak)^
2. Corinne^*+
3. The Birthday Song^*+
4. Carmelita (W. Zevon)^
5. How I Got Through It^*+
6. Dear Azalea Gwen^*
7. The Drugs Don't Work (R. Ashcroft)^
8. Six, Seven^*
9. Bubbles^
10. Swear^*

11. Into the Mystic (V. Morrison)^*
12. Graceland (P. Simon)^
13. The Ballad of Brighter Begins^*
14. I Wonder (The Letter Song) (J. Durniak)^
15. The Sun's In My Eyes (J. Durniak)^
16. While My Guitar Gently Weeps (G. Harrison)^
17. I'm Your Man (L. Cohen)^
18. Drive (J. Durniak)^
19. Black Star (Radiohead)*
20. A Plea To Lara^*+
21. The Sprinter (Avoiding a Marathon)^*
22. Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes (P. Simon)^

(songs by Justin Pope unless indicated. All Joe Durniak songs were sung by Joe, with backup by Justin)

notes: 1/15/09, John & Peter's

01.15.09 - John & Peters
Setlist:
(^ - featuring Steven Nocar, * - featuring Christina Ward, + - featuring Zach the Cellist)

1. The Ballad of Brighter Begins
2. Dear Azalea Gwen
3. The Sprinter (Avoiding a Marathon)^
4. (New Song)^
5. (New Song)^
6. Tonight Will Be Fine (L. Cohen)^*
7. Corinne
8. Don't Think Twice, It's Alright (B. Dylan)
9. Swear
10. Into the Mystic (V. Morrison)

11. The Apartment Song^+
12. House Where Nobody Lives (T. Waits)+
13. (a very messy medley of songs by 4NonBlondes, Phil Collins, Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears & Carrie Underwood)^+
14. I Don't Want To Live on the Moon+

(songs by Justin Pope unless indicated)

notes: 12/18/08 - John & Peters

I was excited to have old friend and musical foil Mike Oravec (in from San Diego for the holidays) join me back on the J&P's stage for the first time in two years. As such, the set leaned heavily on covers from our old open-mic-duo days (including VU's "Candy Says", a recording of which is posted below). As always, Christina Ward and I rotated sets a few times throughout the evening, which lasted three hours, and culminated with a John Popper sighting that, sadly, did not result in an amazing harmonica jam with us on stage. Maybe next time, John?

12.18.08 - John & Peters
Setlist:
(^ - featuring Lisa Rich, * - featuring Mike Oravec)

1. Corinne (the Drunk Girl Song)
2. Mama, You Been on My Mind (B. Dylan)^
3. Into the Mystic (V. Morrison)
4. Cellophane*
5. Candy Says* (V. Underground)
6. Dear Azalea Gwen*

7. I'll Be Home For Christmas (Trad.)*
8. The Ballad of Brighter Begins*
9. Sad Songs and Waltzes (W. Nelson)*
10. F*** Her Gently (Tenacious D)*
11. How Dare You (M. Oravec)*
12. The Sprinter
13. Creep (Radiohead)*

14. Six, Seven
15. Carmelita (W. Zevon)
16. Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes (P. Simon)
17. House Where Nobody Lives (T. Waits)
18. Wave of Mutilation (Pixies)
19. I Don't Want to Live on the Moon

(songs by Justin Pope unless indicated)

live track: "Into the Mystic"(Van Morrison cover)

live track: "The Ballad of Brighter Begins" (J. Pope, w/ Mike Oravec)

live track: "Candy Says" (Velvet Underground Cover, w/ Mike Oravec)