Folks,
For the sold-out Saturday night co-bill with Robbie Schaefer, Ellis did a 45-minute set followed by a 15-minute break then Robbie Schaefer did a 45-minute set. At the conclusion of Robbie’s set, he invited Ellis back out for a third set and they performed 5 songs together.
It was my 3rd visit to The Barns and as I mentioned when I posted the photos, the sound there is simply exquisite. My favorite venues for sound are The Barns, Godfrey-Daniels in Bethlehem, PA and Schubas in Chicago. At least those are the ones that stand-out in memory. Ellis started out with two songs on the grande piano that was a personally transcendent experience.
Ellis set:
1. The day the levee broke – on piano
2. Summertime – on piano
3. Waking up to me
4. Maria’s beautiful mess
(the very first time I heard Maria was at The Barns – almost exactly 9 years ago – on April 23, 1999. Ellis opened the show with it that night saying it was a brand-new song.)
5. Jukebox on my grave
6. take all the sky you need
7. alice’s champagne palace
8. 3000 miles
9. home – on piano
10. God’s promise
After a break, Robbie Schaefer came out for his set. I’m not familiar with his songs and was not able to keep a setlist, but after doing two songs Robbie asked “Wasn’t Ellis Paul great?” The crowd applauded in appreciation agreeing that indeed EP had done a fabulous set. Then Robbie made a comment that would influence the remainder of the show. He declared
“I don’t know about you, but I want to marry Ellis Paul! I mean, if the current thing doesn’t work out, I’m first in line!” 
Well, the crowd howled and he continued with his set which was very engaging and enjoyable. At the conclusion of his set he invited Ellis back out and they both seated themselves on a stool. Ellis commented that he had enjoyed what he heard of Robbie’s set – admitting that he had missed part of it while taking a beverage break at the bar. Robbie asked Ellis if he had heard the part when Robbie stated that he wanted to marry Ellis. Ellis admitted that he had (thankfully) missed that. There was a bit more banter and eventually Robbie introduced the first song they would do together saying it was a song that they both loved. They then sang the opening line of the song which begins with these words:
“Let us be lovers, we’ll marry our fortunes together.” ……and the crowd went crazy with laughter. They could not continue…. and there was lots more hilarity…until Robbie said “There’s no way we can do this song now”……but I (for one) then others in the audience shouted out “Just do it!”……so they started over and you could hear a pin drop. It was spine-tingling.
11. America (Simon and Garfunkel)
12. Rollaway Bed
For this song Ellis said he had gotten an e-mail from a fella named John asking Ellis to dedicate this song to his girlfriend Jessica….and Ellis complied. Unbeknownst to the audience, the rest of the story was that John planned to pop the question to Jessica during the song. So at the song’s conclusion Ellis shouted out “John, what did she say?” and a voice from the back of the room said “She said yes!” and there was more applause and hootin’ and hollerin’ . At that point Ellis made the mistake of declaring that he (Ellis) hadn’t gotten a ring (from Robbie) and things really went downhill from there.
At one point Robbie was down on his knees and Ellis said something about them being the Indigo Boys (I thought that was he and Vance!)
They were barely able to recover and continued with a wonderful rendition of:
13. Ring of fire
At the conclusion of Ring of Fire, one of the funniest comments of the evening was made when Ellis said:
“If I were an Etch-A-Sketch, I’d want to shake right now.” The crowd went crazy again.
Robbie continued with a song called (I’m guessing) “Carolina” with Ellis doing some sweet harmony on the chorus, then the show ended with Ellis doing:
14. The Night Hank Williams came to town – on piano – with Robbie playing acoustic guitar.
It was another incredibly wonderful evening of music. Since Vienna, VA is Robbie’s hometown area, lots of folks were there to see him….but I know from helping at the merch table that lots of folks there to hear Robbie left as new Ellis Paul fans (not surprising!) That always helps to make my day.
It was good to see board member Yetta and Texas EP fan Priscilla – who I always see at the Mucky Duck in Houston!
KarenZ
