The Figrin D’an Reunion show : A review
Okay, so the Who(or what’s left of them) are touring “Quadrophenia.” And yes, Paul McCartney is touring again. And yes, Led Zep is releasing a Blu Ray of the 02 concert. But fuck all of that. I went to THE concert event of the year last night. Not since they broke up over merchandising rights in 1978 have Figrin D’an and The Modal Nodes been together on the same stage. D’an had a notorious gambling problem that tore the group apart, even losing all their instruments at one point. Shortly after D’an embarked on a solo career, but his recording “Take Another Little Bith of My Heart” was not well received. Recently, the Modal Nodes have agreed to tour as a unit once again, after trying to eke out a living with a professional Figrin D’an impersonator as their front man. It’s unclear who offered the first olive branch, but hatchets are buried, a “No Blasters” clause in the rider is strictly enforced, and they have once again come to the outer rims, playing to a packed house of scum and villany in the Mos Eisley Cantina.
The Cantina itself has gone through some changes, once owned by the Hutts, it is now run by the Republic, it is brighter, shinier more commercialized than it once was. Safer? Sure, but at what cost? The place is now littered with useless souvenirs and plastered with advertising…a sort of intergalactic Hard rock Café. Nevertheless the crowd was here to party, and after a short set by a promising funk group called “Jefferson Star Destroyer”, the Nodes took the stage to rapturous applause. This went on for several minutes, until the band picked up their instruments and we were finally able to tell which one was D’an. The Blue Milk flowed and the band found its groove early with an eclectic set that was sprinkled liberally with covers, as well as new selections from their latest recording “Tatooine You”.
“Gfenn…nurp gret ab to loutt g’renn inde!” D’an shouted and the crowed went wild. (I later found out that what he said was “Buckle up, Mother fuckers we are about to shoot first!”)The band was reasonable tight, with Tech M’or’s omni box solo being a particular highlight. Unfortunately Ikabel G’obnt is a shadow of the great fanfill player he (She? maybe?) used to be, but tonight, it didn’t matter. Tonight, Figrin D’an was in the house with the Modal Nodes. They may not have looked like much, but they had it where it counts.
Set List
1. Whiskey in the Jar Jar
2. Greedo Shuffle (Cover, Bossk Skaggs)
3. I am the Walrus Man.
4. Obli di Obi Wan
5. We Built Cloud City
6. Empire State of Mind
7. I Wanna Hold Your Han
8. Bantha to the Bone
9. Sand People (got no reason)
10. R2 Experienced?
11. Did it all for the Wookie
12. This Must be Just Like Living in Carbonite
13. Ewok this Way
14. Taking care of Bith Ness
15. Born to Kessel Run
16. Knocking on Heaven’s Door (God EVERYBODY covers that damned song!)
17. Sith I Been Lovin you.
18. While My Kloo Horn Gently Weeps
ENCORE
1. Cantina Song
2. That Other Cantina Song
