In a development that stunned musical observers, the Professors quartet rebounded from the loss of their lead vocalist with an outstanding two-hour performance in a New York City jazz/blues club, the Cornelia Street Cafe, on February 7, 1999. As a result of a frenzy of creative activity, the Professors debuted a host of new and original songs: Nicky Land (Romanenko), "Chill Out" (John Lee Hooker/Carlos Santana; arr. by Kubey), Sunday Night at Kenny's (Barrows), New York City Sidewalk Blues (Barrows), and "Silvio Blues" (Romanenko/Radford/Barrows/Kubey/Waisbord). The audience was also treated to performances by two unexpected guest vocalists. Ruthy Unger gave an unforgettable rendition of Gershwin's "Summertime" and Sonja Souther gave a wonderful improvisation of the "Relocation Blues" to the tune of "Five Long Years."

The Professors Lineup

John Barrows - Harp/Guitar/Lead Vocals
Bob Kubey - Drums
Gary Radford - Lead Guitar
Nick Romanenko - Bass Guitar/Backing Vocals

Guest Artists

Ruth Unger - Vocals on Summertime, Chill Out and Untenured Blues
Sonja Souther - Vocals on Sonja's Relocation Blues

The Set

1. Before You Accuse Me (Eric McDaniel - Eric Clapton)
2. Dreading the Dawning (John Barrows/Gary Radford)
3. Weird Sisters (Mark Linkous - Sparklehorse)
4. Untenured Blues (Gary Radford/Marie Radford)
5. Eight Minutes (John Barrows/Mark Wallinger)
6. Take Sick and Die (Muddy Waters) **
7. Nicky Land (Nick Romanenko) **
8. Chill Out (Things Gonna Change) (John Lee Hooker/Carlos Santana/Chester Thompson - arr. by Robert Kubey)
9. Nothing (Tuli Kupferberg - The Fugs; arr. by Robert Kubey)
10. New York City Sidewalk Blues (John Barrows) **
11. Spirit of the Age (Double Time Version) (Robert Calvert/Dave Brock - Hawkwind)
12. Sunday Night at Kenny's (John Barrows) **
13. Silvio Blues (Nick Romanenko/Gary Radford/John Barrows/Robert Kubey/Silvio Waisbord) **
14. Summertime (George Gershwin/DuBose Heyward) **
15. Waiting for the Big One (Peter Gabriel)
16. Spirit of the Age (Regular Version) (Robert Calvert/Dave Brock - Hawkwind)
17. Psycho Killer (David Byrne/Chris Frantz/Tina Weymouth - The Talking Heads)
18. Sway (Mick Jagger/Keith Richards - The Rolling Stones)
19. Sonja's Relocation Blues (Sonja Souther & The Professors)

** = debut song