I've always thought R.E.M., with its penchant for strange and interesting covers, would make a heckuva wedding band. They proved the point this weekend, playing at the wedding party of their guitar tech. Not only that, but Bill Berry was back behind the drums for the mini-set. The quartet played a short set: "Sitting Still," "(Don't Go Back To) Rockville," Wolves, Lower," "Begin the Begin," "The One I Love," "Permanent Vacation" and "Radio Free Europe." Now that's a dream setlist, particularly coming from the original line-up.

Some have lamented the direction the remaining trio took after Berry's departure, and I'm sure this will fuel many reunion rumors. I'm fine with the band's post-Berry output, happy to see the experiments of Up and the stab at lush pop with Reveal; the dead-on-arrival Around the Sun is another matter. What I crave, however, is for the band to record the originals in its earliest sets, and put it out as a record. As I've said before, that would be a great fan club project. With Berry back in the fold, if only temporarily, playing a set of early stuff that even includes one of those tracks ("Permanent Vacation"), the time is right, fellas. A one-day, one-off with no supporting tour is all I'm asking. Bill can stay retired. The photos on the band's web site would seem to indicate they had fun playing. Why not extend it a bit?