Albuquerque - Special "fake" Version

[Lightning7smith]

I saw on the mothership that there is a version of Albuquerque (a special "fake" version) performed live. What is it? Does anybody know?

[SirHaakon]

The only time Al played Albuquerque live was in Albuquerque on his one stop there during the Running With Scissors Tour. Since the song was brand new (and since the show was in Albuquerque, after all), everyone was wondering if he would actually do it - all of the fans were speculating on whether or not he'd actually tackle such an enormously complex song live. Of course, Al didn't dissapoint. Instead of just coming out and performing it at the end of the show, however, he taunted the audience with a 30-minute encore that consisted of a lot of "teaser" songs before actually performing the number. He'd say things like "I know what you really want to hear!" and then perform a silly song that had nothing to do with Albuquerque. It was hilarious, and some of the audience was even getting frustrated with how he'd trick them! Near the end, he said, "I don't know if you're aware of this or not, but I wrote a little song about your city." The crowd goes wild. He continues, "The song's called Albuquerque and we'd like to play it for you now." And then, amongst the deafening screams of the entire theater, he proceded to sing the following song, backed only by a lone banjo:

Albequerque, Albequerque...
The people here are kinda quirky
The drinkin' water's kinda murky
That's why I love it so...

Albequerque, Albequerque...
I'm glad to be in Albuquerque
You might think it's kinda jerky,
But it's my favorite place to go...
When I'm in New Mexico!

This, of course, left the half of the audience with a sense of humor rolling around on the ground in hysterics, while the rest either had no idea what was going on or honestly thought that's how he was going to end the show and started going nuts. He then proceeded to play the real Albuquerque, in its entirety, to the delight of everyone.

Definitely one of those amazing "one time" moments and a real treat for the fans.

[Bruce the Duck]

I wasn't there, but if I remember the reviews correctly, when Al got to the part in the song where he says "Where was I? I kinda lost my train of thought," he actually pretends to forget and starts the entire song over again.

[Squirrelygirl]

I wasn't there, but if I remember the reviews correctly, when Al got to the part in the song where he says "Where was I? I kinda lost my train of thought," he actually pretends to forget and starts the entire song over again.

That's my recollection, also. IIRC, he also started to play "Mr. Frump" and "Close to You". People who talked to him later said he really strained his voice and couldn't talk much for a few days after that.

Man, I wish I could have been there!

[algonacchick]

People who were at AlCon III got to hear "Close to You", "Wipeout" in four keys and the fake "Albuquerque" song. Al and teh guys were still dressed in the Jedi outfits for "Yoda". Anyone else who went, was there anything else? I don't recall Mr. Frump being in there, but Jon showed us footage from that show. He stopped it just as Al was going to do the real Albuquerque, because he didn't have time to show that, since Al was coming up next with the UHF premiere.

[crazygurl14]

wow i wish i was there when he did albuquerque that sounded like it was a fantastic show


What is Close to you is that a concert only song?

[lookatthenumbersinIandlaugh]

close to you is an old song by the carpenters


Why do birds suddenly appear
every time you are near
just like me
they long to be
close to you

[Lightning7smith]

Thank you Sir for your wonderful summery. It explained everything and made me mad I wasn't there.

[SirHaakon]

No problem.

For the record, yes, he also did Mr. Frump. The entire encore setlist was as follows:

Mr. Frump In The Irong Lung
Inna Gadda Da Vida (excerpt)
Angela
Bass Solo
Wipeout (performed in four different keys simultaneously)
Albequerque (Fake Version)
Close To You
Albequerque

I made the trek to Albuquerque to see Al and the band just on the chance that they'd actually do the song there live (no one knew if he actually would). It ended up being one of the best shows of theirs I've ever seen... lots of longtime fans and friends showed up and it was a total blast.

[Lightning7smith]

JUST MAKE I WORSE!!!


I LOVE THAT SONG!!