Review: Michael Shannon & Jason Narducy and Friends play R.E.M.’s 'Fables of the Reconstruction' at 40 Watt Club
What a difference a year makes!
Twelve months and some change after Asheville Stages photographer Micah Rogers and I (OK, mostly Micah) correctly played a hunch that all four members of R.E.M. would be at the 40 Watt Club in Athens, Ga., for Michael Shannon & Jason Narducy and Friends’ tribute to Murmur, we returned to the hallowed venue on Feb. 28 for Night Two of the band's celebration of Fables of the Reconstruction.
This time, we had an idea what to expect, but also weren't banking on another full reunion — or really any guest appearances beyond a likely cameo by the gregarious Mike Mills (the instigator of this whole undertaking, who encouraged Shannon and Narducy to grow their project beyond a one-off Chicago performance).
Then the spoilers started pouring in.
Multiple Asheville friends had made the pilgrimage to Athens the night before and shared video evidence that Mills, Peter Buck, and Bill Berry — all of whom had joined the band on various songs in 2024 — were accompanied by Michael Stipe (who’d gone on stage at the end of the night to express his gratitude) for a passionate take of “Pretty Persuasion.”
Still, that didn't necessarily mean that the same would hold true for our show. Perhaps Thursday was simply better for these legends — after all, last year's show was on a Thursday. Maybe they prefer being home on Friday nights.
Arriving at the 40 Watt with open hearts and minds, we were treated to the previous year’s opener, musical comedian Dave Hill, not only dressed in his same 2024 attire but performing nearly the same set, word for word. So far, so good on the consistency front.
But this wasn't the same tour or album tribute — something Shannon, Narducy, and their all-star backing ensemble made stunningly evident from the opening bars of “Feeling Gravity's Pull.” Having shaken the jitters out on last year’s nine-date, two-week run, the band doubled its tour stops (and shows in Athens, the lone city to receive two nights on the monthlong adventure) and were palpably more confident and comfortable with the whole surreal premise.
The same held true for Jon Wurster (drums), Dag Juhlin (guitar), and Vijay Tellis-Nayak (keyboards), each of whom played with slightly less restraint, having gotten the whole surreal “play R.E.M.’s songs while R.E.M. watches from the VIP section to the side of the stage where R.E.M. came of age — and occasionally perform with R.E.M.” thing out of the way in 2024. And new bassist John Stirratt (Wilco) was such a cool customer that you’d think he’d been through it before, too.
As with last year's festivities, Mills, Buck, and Berry started hopping up in various permutations to joyfully contribute vocals, guitar, and drums/tambourine, albeit in far more of a family reunion style. Berry was the first to break the seal, sitting in on drums for Fables closer “Wendell Gee,” followed by Mills jumping in for “Strange,” “Find the River,” and “1,000,000,” then Buck strapping on a guitar to join Mills for “Sitting Still” and “Harborcoat.” Honorees and honorers are now clearly familiar with each other, and the fervor with which the R.E.M. guys slotted in with the tribute group in largely complementary roles radiated appreciation.
A similar vibe echoed throughout the crowd, composed primarily of elder Gen-Xers — likely a good number of townies and/or University of Georgia alums — who'd either seen these songs performed circa their respective release dates in this very room or within the walls of similar modestly sizes clubs in their own college towns. The giveaway? THEY KNEW ALL THE WORDS, singing them at unknown volumes (the house mix was earplug-level loud) along with Shannon and the revolving lineup of vocalists.
And then, the moment that we’d stood at attention for last year only to be “let down” happened. Clad in a white and cream get-up, as if he had a photoshoot for a skiing magazine later that night, Stipe took to the stage with his three bandmates and, after getting his bearings, the nonet launched into, yes, “Pretty Persuasion.”
Belying the fact that it was only his fourth public performance since R.E.M.’s simpatico retirement in 2011, Stipe was a live wire on the mic, throwing his full energy into the performance as seemingly every attendee’s raised smart phone captured the magic. It was the inarguable high of the night, and yet more goodness remained after Stipe exited, leaving the other eight players for a rendition of “Second Guessing.”
The two full sets complete, Shannon and Narducy returned following a brief break and, while making their way to the stage right corner, the Oscar-nominated actor knocked his head on the ceiling speaker, eliciting groans of sympathy from the crowd. Unfazed, he assured us he was OK, recounting his long history of cranial collisions, including someone once throwing a cinderblock at his noggin. (Um, what?)
It was all a prelude to the organizers’ intimate duo take on “So. Central Rain,” after which the full band returned with everyone but Stipe in tow for “Cuyahoga.” Not to be left out, Hill made his own triumphant return some three hours after he’d warmed up the crowd, contributing Flying V guitar to an energetic cover of Aerosmith’s “Toys in the Attic” — a most unpredictable end to the evening. Yet who could have guessed that a single Chicago performance by General Zod and Bob Mould’s bassist would lead to such musical richness and multiple major historical moments?
Furthermore, there’s little evidence to suggest that the party’s going to end any time soon. Shannon hinted with his “Cuyahoga” introduction that they’d return in 2026 for a tribute to Life’s Rich Pageant, and seeing as all involved (sans 2024 bassist Nick Macri) were able to make it happen for consecutive years, we fully expect to be back at the 40 Watt next February.
(Photos by Micah Rogers)
