She Almost Saw His Whasker!

This man is a tote.

His name is Alec Clement. He's 30 years older than the oldest Lemming (which is Wayne, by the way, as penultimate geezer Mike Battey likes to point out). And he is one of us. He laughs at the same jokes, totes over vocal music like we do, has the blendy-blend singing voice, and shares the same style of unrelenting self-deprecation that makes women hot for us. (...or, more accurately, annoyed at us.)

The spotlight is on Al this week, not because of some recent accomplishment or embarrassment -- those are weekly occurrences for Al -- but because I found an old video of us singing together and I wanted to play it. So I asked the Lemmings to shoot me a few words about our brother from another generation to help set things up, and here is what spewed forth. (The video follows.)

From Paul:

I think it must have been my first Octet Alumni Concert in 1981. I was none too happy. Damn it, why did I have to graduate and go to law school? Why couldn't I just keep singing with the Octet rather than transition to the Alumni Octet where I didn't know the music or the people? So much unfairness of things. But then we began to rehearse George & Ira's "Love Walked In," and this glorious angelic solo voice wafted out over the Chapin Hall stage -- "That love said hello, though not a word was spoken" -- just one tantalizing line until the soloist came back in at the end with "When love walked in...with you." And, of course, it was Al. And from then on in, I knew this Octet Alumni thing was going to be good.

1987 "Small Hotel"

From Tey:

He is the nicest guy any of us has ever met. With the voice we'd all love to have and always with something good to say about everyone. We were SO lucky to meet him, and we continue to be lucky to count him as our good friend. And he is the only one of us who can make Schwanaye feel "young" so Wayne is thankful for that as well...

From Chuck:

Alec Clement? Well, first, he’s got the voice of an angel, he’s our first tenor dearest friend. He’s our link to an older generation, yet with the soul and good humor of our younger generation. He’s on email with us always, and he’s a role model husband to dear Carolyn. We aspire to be the kind and caring human being that he has always been, the gracious friend he’s always been, the source of humor and good spirit he’s always been, and the pure voice he continues to be! May he live long and prosper, because, well, he’s Al, he’s OUR Al. We love him.

From Bill:

Al self-deprecates like Lincoln- that’s what really makes him one of us- but he never dips into the Tetchy Pool and go after anyone else, even in fun. Al always compliments others, only self-nukes; but he gets it, the jokes, the off-color stuff and the innuendo. He’s got an incredible sense of himself, he’s not changing who he is just to hang out with us. I need to be half as cool as he is when I’m his age.

1989 "Blue Moon"

Well, guess what, Bill. We ARE his age. We met him 30 years ago and he's 30 years older than us, so we are now the age he was when we met him. And your wish has come true: We are half as cool as he is.

Now, the video. This is the first time we ever performed with Al as our lead. It's 1986, and like my joints or my ability to hold in a fart while laughing, the tape has deteriorated over time. It looks like in the movies when aliens are attacking Earth and all the TVs get wambly. Enjoy.

BONUS: Okay, this is funny. On the same tape as the above, there was footage from the night before of us sneak peeking the song at the Friday Cabaret. We must have convinced Al to do it at the last minute. Check it out. 

Before I wrap, I have to explain the blog title. A few weeks ago, I asked the May-born Lemmings, including Al, to share some exploits or memorable moments for a birthday quiz. Al sent this little ditty: "Parents partying in Sheffield, Ma. I had just showered and was naked on the john when one of the female guests walked in--looked at me and said "Don't get up"  Life's most embarrassing moment."

Like I said, he is one of us.

POLL RESULTS:

When it comes to soundbites, most of you prefer the battle cry, "Count me in!" Hey, at least it's positive. This week, what's your favorite side character in Lemmings mythology? Vote! Be counted in! Up on the right.

Ferme.