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One might think that a second acoustic set by Brian Fitzpatrick and Ed Fritz following so close on the heels of their recent Bitter End show might seem just another performance of...well, the same performance. But just as the same people are complex and ever-changing life forms who exhibit different traits and different sides of themselves on different days or in different situations, so the art created by such beings is likewise constantly taking on new shapes and colors, ultimately becoming a whole new life form of its own. And, of course, a large part of this process is related to environment. With that in mind, it only stands to reason that the Underpass -- this "base", if you will, to which Brian and his cohorts continue returning again and again creates something of a feel not captured anywhere else. While I'm sure the building wasn't constructed on this premise, it seems fitting that the bar should form a circle that occupies very nearly the whole room... for indeed the atmosphere laced with fun, laughter, cooperation, occasional chaos and the serious thoughts shared from the stage do, in a way, conjure images of a unity worthy of an updated version of The Round Table. And while indeed it may not be occupied by knights attired in polished armor on the outside, still as the artists fight their wars of inner conflict, encouraged and built up by the jeans-clad squires cheering them on, this often smoke-filled and dimly lighted suburban bar does somehow magically transform -- okay maybe not quite into Camelot -- but nonetheless on any given evening, still a very special place. The Underpass
As he'd done at The Bitter End last Monday night, once more Brian opened with the beautiful "Forgotten Sounds"...
"In my darkest night, When clouds obscured The waters of dignity,
...then moved on to "Cross That Line", for which he was joined by Ed on accordion...
"I know it's just But I ain't left But one of these I'm gonna cross
...and what seems to be an Underpass favorite -- a cover of an "old country song" entitled "Give Back The Key To My Heart"...for a verse of which Ed (very capably) performed lead vocal duties...
"Give back my TV... It
don't me that much
"While
you're giving back
Give back the key
On a more somber note, Brian next introduced, "Thinking" by explaining that it was written for his late friend, Paul, who also happened to be a prior owner of the Underpass...a song to which he added a short preface in Paul's honor...
"Thank you for the days, I bless the light that shines And every single day,
"I found myself thinking, Wondering what went On that misty August When I found out
Next came the great new song Brian had first played on his last visit to The Underpass, and shared again last week at The Bitter End..."Further Down The Line"...with Ed once more contributing accompaniment on piano...
"With every dream there And somewhere out there Do you ever think about And wonder if I'm still
...and then another brand new song, also debuted at a prior Underpass show. About a relationship's demise, "Crown King's Laundromat" utilizes a simplistic slice of everyday life to depict underlying realities in a most effective way...needless to say, I think this is a truly outstanding song. -- not to mention one that puts a whole new "spin" on "coming clean"...
"Six
o'clock in the evening,
You and me ain't talking... Who is he...
'Cause that lingerie you're
At last Brian returned to more familiar ground in the form of "Broken Heart Reprise"...a song he explained he'd written about "a ruthless evening many moons ago...may she forever suffer...no, I'm not bitter". You can decide for yourself based on the lyrics (and the intensity with which he sings them) whether or not to believe that last part...
"You can
talk all Let you
control I aint'
gonna let 'Cause I know
After this Brian pulled out "Smells Like Piss", another "oldie" from his repertoire, one which he said he doesn't play live much. Upon reflection, he added, "I don't think I've ever played it live, actually...hmm, here's a song I never played!"
"So I keep pushing on, Although sometimes Like all the love was drained But like a fool I still believe; I believe in love... I believe in love..."
Finally (though as always much too soon!) Brian thanked Ed (to whom the audience showed well deserved appreciation with very warm applause) and announced that the time had come for their last song, the always fitting epilogue, "North Woods"...
"I want to The
And on that note Brian and Ed left the stage to another round of incredibly enthusiastic shouts and applause... that, of course, served as an even more fitting epilogue to their always amazing work...and to which I can only add the postscript... Thanks much, Bri and Ed! See you next time!!!
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