Two Fridays past, we played a “secret” show (i.e., one we didn’t publicize) for a small but enthusiastic crowd, following a small but enthusiastic potluck, at the Humboldt Park, Chicago home of LeRoy Bach. The guests were met, the feast was set, and Edward Burch, followed by The Viper & His Famous Orchestra provided the merry din.

This was the first of 4 performances from that weekend (set lists and commentary from the other 3 to follow. Here’s what The Viper & HFO played.

• Sharkin’
• First Round Polka
• Atomic Sermon
• Sharkin’
• My Seafaring Lassie
• The Viper’s Blue Yodel no. 6.02 x 10 to the 23rd
• Uncle Bud
• Big Headed Small Minded Man
• Party in the U.S.A.
• Hey! Rounders
• Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’

This was our first fully orchestral show since 2009, and featured a ridiculously expanded crew that included The Viper, Riley Broach, Edward Burch, Victor Cortez, Rob Henn, John Peacock, and Kip Rainey, three of whom played the suitcase at any given moment.

Sue Peacock has posted a number of videos from this show to YouTube, including the “Sharkin'” you see above, at:

• “Sharkin'” #1
• “Sharkin'” #3
• “Party in the U.S.A.”
• “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin'”

The lighting is dim and kind of red, but the sound is surprisingly good.