Pocket Universe

Just a few weeks ago, through a somewhat random circumstance, I heard about an event that floored me: a one-night-only Bourgeois Tagg reunion concert. For those of you not into pop music between 1984 and 1989, Bourgeois Tagg had two albums during that period, and their most successful single, “I Don’t Mind At All,” peaked at number 38 on the Billboard charts. Back in the ’80s, my friend Wayne and I were really into Bourgeois Tagg, after Wayne picked up their first album (on cassette) because he liked the cover art. I loved that album and listened to it all the time. And I still remember the night before an a-ha concert, when Wayne called and excited told me that Bourgeois Tagg would be the opening band. So while they were moderately successful in the ’80s, Bourgeois Tagg hold a special place in my heart, and I never, ever would have expected the chance to see them again.

As I found out later, the reunion concert also included Uncle Rainbow, a popular Bay Area band during the ’70s, whose members included Brent Bourgeois and Larry Tagg. The concert was a benefit for former Uncle Rainbow singer Richard Oates, who needs money for a liver transplant. So with a once-in-a-lifetime event ahead of me, I decided to hitch up my little red wagon and make the drive up to Sacramento.

Despite the unfortunate circumstances that brought everyone together, the concert ended up being a tremendously fun event. Apparently some of these band members had not seen each other for twenty years or more, but they seemed to fall right back into their old groove. (I was told by a reliable source that they only had two rehearsals, but you couldn’t tell.) Two of the members of Bourgeois Tagg, Lyle Workman and Michael Urbano, have been regular studio and touring musicians since the breakup, so their musical chops were finely honed. (Keyboardist Scott Moon has apparently been busy with other pursuits in the interim.) There was plenty of time during the set for improvisation and solo, and some of the songs sounded even better than the originals. They even had a string quartet for “I Don’t Mind At All.” The bands were joined by many of their musical friends, and it was especially fun to see twenty-year-old Adrian Bourgeois, who seems ready to follow in his father’s footsteps. In all, it was a tremendous show, and a lot of fun to see the musicians clearly having such a good time onstage together.

For those who would like to play at home, here is the Bourgeois Tagg setlist from the show: