Cloaca Melodia

Thunderbird Cafe, Pittsburgh, PA The "Wes" in "Wes and Eugene's Cabinet of Wonders" is John Wesley Harding, touring with his stand-up comedian friend Eugene Mirman in an ad hoc cabaret, with local/regional musicians, comedians, and poets invited to each stop of the festivities. post continues.... JWH began with a poem about the Cabinet (or the "Mini-Cabinet," as he dubbed the club-sized version of the show instead of their usual theater setting), and then he brought the ensemble up on stage and introduced them each in tongue-in-cheek verse. This version of the show included PGH-based poet Terrance Hayes, Chicago singer/songwriter Chris Mills, Rusted Root frontman Michael Glabicki, Philly singer Megan Reilly, PGH garage rockers The Cynics as an acoustic duo. JWH started off the show with a brief solo set, including the terrific "Top of the Bottom," a track off his latest album ( Who Was Changed and Who Was Dead ). Then he began mixing it up, ...

Fastlane, Asbury Park, NJ..... This is the show that I discussed in Gary Wein's book Beyond the Palace . Harding was late for his own gig as he had reportedly skipped over the Stone Pony to catch part of a Little Steven show and hopefully catch a rumored "surprise" Springsteen appearance. At least, that was the word from the promoter's people.  I talked with Wes about this years later and he told me this night was the first time he met Springsteen.