HOUSE OF WUNDER

Forty-one songs played over two nights, including a few new originals, which names may be obscure to me, but stylistically are as well tuned as the rest. I can only touch on highlights such as the set openers (in order) Break of Day, Ballad of Dan Toe, All Good and Precious Hands. Listing these songs only identifies one-tenth of the playlist. Other favorites, that most assuredly were enjoyed by all, were Save Our Ship (arguably the best song ever, IMO), Shantytown > You Can Call Me Al > Shantytown. Not to mention the sweat generating (pouring for many!), Oxygen > Eyes of the World > Dancing with Lula and House of Wu, making up the midsection of the second set, second night.

The Big Wu chefs, Terry VanDeWalker, Chris Castino, Jason Fladagar, Andy "Padre Pienbique" Miller and Al "Choices" Oikari were definitely cooking dishes from styles around this world and beyond. The band was also awestruck by the crowd participation and overall attendance. One member thanked the crowd for letting him live out his lifelong dream of "being a rockstar," as they are.

On Friday night, nearly 1200 people flocked to the Cabooze. The massive attendance did make for a not-so-roomy place to dance, but there are many that only need their minds and a steady head... bop. The crowd on the second night was a little smaller and made for better dancing, which became a necessity the instant the Wu started into one of their finest shows to date. By the time they finished their necessary encore, Fire, the crowd absolutely erupted! Never have I heard a Wuster crowd simultaneously burst into a roar as I did on Saturday night. For a good while the fans continued to cheer, well past closing time and well out into the streets.

The thoughts and reminders certainly continued on the trip back, even in poor weather, everything was beautiful. One fan commented to me that she had not seen so many genuine smiles in a long time and who do we thank, the Wu and the fans. Just as important, are the ropes between the two, the people who bring us the Wu, especially Jack Lawrence and Paul Hagen, whom I have had the privilege of interacting with on multiple occasions.

I also was fortunate enough to meet with Al Oikari for breakfast on Friday, to gain a stronger and different perspective of The Big Wu. Jason Fladagar also was kind enough to have email conversations with me the entire week. Once the Wu get going further into their current national tour, the information received from Al and Jason will be organized and posted, so we can all share in the Two Person Chair.

For now, any chance you get, see the men of the Wu, they are touring nationally for a good portion of the year, hopefully in a town near you. Festivals and Holidays are also an important part of the agenda. On Memorial Day weekend, The Big Wu Family Reunion goes down somewhere in Wisconsin with MANY guests. See their site for all of the, I can’t wait 'til it is spring time, details. Camping spots are being filled quickly. There are also hints at a huge two night celebration for NYE (it’s never too early) at Roy Wilkins in St. Paul, Minnesota - close to 6,000 seats will be sold. To end what should be a beginning, don’t be shy and be kind, this is the one common belief shared by everyone involved with The Big Wu and this JamBase community.

Quoting Randy Alexander from www.thebigwu.com along with ancient proverbs/definitions: "Wu" in Chinese means "the uncarved block" or "the absence of nothing." From the Tao of Pooh, the "Wu-Wei" is a state of being." As true today as when it was written.

Michael Shearer
Minne-happy-lis JamBase Correspondent
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