All-Star Tribute to the Replacements @ The Comet (10.21.2011)

The Replacements bring back fond memories. I consulted the ticket-stub collection (just for you, Andy). I saw them three times in quick succession during their Please to Meet Me tour on August 7, 1987, at the Riviera in Chicago; on Sept. 16, 1987, at the SIU Student Center Ballroom in Carbondale, IL; and on Sept. 17, 1987, at the Athletic Complex at Washington University in St. Louis, MO.

Favorite albums (yes, I said albums…I am old) by the Minneapolis band from most beloved to just beloved (FYI, there are seven plus a live recording that released only to tape):

• Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take Out the Trash
• Let It Be
• Tim
• Pleased to Meet Me

When I saw the City Arts Fest tribute show to The Replacements, featuring members of The Fastbacks, The Cops, Virgin Islands, Kinski, Fort Union, Concourse d'Elegance, Cataldo, Kyle Bradford, Ben Fisher, Gabriel Mintz and John Roderick, I said, sign me up.

The crowded Comet Tavern teemed with fans. People danced, sang along and grooved to the hootenannies. The swinging door of musicians showed up with vigor. Few of the musicians were announced so regrettably, most are unidentified.

Among the songs performed:

“Androgynous” (beautifully sung by a solo female artist with a lovely voice accompanying herself on keyboard)
“Favorite Thing”
“Unsatisfied”
“Don’t Ask Why”
“Waitress in the Sky”
“Here Comes a Regular”
Paul Westerberg, Bob Stinson (RIP), Tommy Stinson and Chris Mars may have loved the ode to their lasting influence and the crowd was reminded of Westerberg’s song-writing prowess.

Props to the Northwest Film Forum for hosting filmmaker Gorman Bechard and his new film, the documentary Color Me Obsessed about The Replacements. According to Adam Sekuler, Program Director at the NWFF, the tribute show at the Comet was put together as a companion piece to Bechard’s film screening.