A Night to Remember
by Carol
The warm-up band didn't seem to have a name. The individual musicians were introduced by the lead singer, but it would have been nice if someone introduced them before they started to perform. There was a good mix of old Blue Rodeo tunes (from the beginning to the present of their career) and Jim Cuddy songs. I really enjoyed "Too Many Hands" and "Pull Me Through". The use of different instruments for certain parts of the songs than on the original recordings gave them a unique live sound. The show was lively, and very enjoyable. Jim's interaction with the audience was comical and light. The Neil Young song was beautiful. Also, the Beatles song was well done. Way to mix it up and keep it fresh. This is the first solo show I've seen and it was great. Keep up the good work. It was also nice to see how versatile Basil Donovan is. He played continuously with the warm up band and the Jim Cuddy Band! Quite a work out! He played more than any other musician that night. Way to go Basil! The guitar player that backed Jim had phenomenal talent along with the vocalist and the violinist. The highlight for the evening was when you all sat down, played and harmonized. Thank you for an enjoyable, memorable evening.
Songs Are So Relatable
by Martha
Having truly enjoyed your music for many years and seeing you in concert many times before, it was no surprise to me how much I enjoyed your show....it would have been just a little better if I could have talked one of the women with the white hair in the front row to swap my 12th row seat with me, but they would have nothing to do with that offer. Lucky them!
Anyhow, this is more than a review of your show...I mostly wanted to tell you how much your new CD has meant to me. I think most people, when listening to lyrics of some types of songs, try to relate something of themselves into it. That makes it more personal and will often cause me and most likely others, to have a "favourite" track. When I first heard "What She Said," I was trying to find meaning in it for where my life is at this moment...three months separated after 25 years. "Could it be me, waiting in wonder. I don't even know what's in your mind." Yes, there certainly are lines that made sense.
But then, weeks after buying the CD, I read something you had said about writing that song after conversations you'd had with friends of yours whose child had been very sick in the hospital. Well, about 11 years ago, my son who was 8 at the time, was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease. He became very ill, very quickly and as a result had to spend almost month at the Children's Hospital at MacMaster. I would not leave him there alone and so night and day I spent with him. He was so sick and things were happening to his tiny body that were totally out of control. Your song has brought back every emotion that I lived those days. The first time I listened to it after I knew the background, it brought me to a startling halt. I felt everything all over again and it ripped me apart. I understood every line, every word, every emotion that you wrote. I want you to know how deeply the words in "What She Said" affect me. You nailed that one so hard. I can hear it sometimes now without shedding tears, but when I really listen, it will still hit me hard every time.
And so, when you performed it at the concert, I knew it was going to get to me.... and sure enough!! I suppose it's a good thing that one of those sweet women wouldn't swap seats with me as I wouldn't have had two great friends there with me holding my hand through that song. So, thank you Jim, for helping me to remember how fortunate I am that my son, Andrew, has come so far and for remembering how fragile life can be... to love, appreciate and be passionate about all the great people in my life.
Fantastic show!
by Simone
Full of energy and great music. Encore - was much too short and .... I really wanted to hear "Try!" Jim, we're so lucky you realized you had musical talent and ability and left the dishwashing and taking out the garbage in Lake Louise to share you music with us. Your voice is...beautiful and distinctive, so expressive, ranking up there with the all-time greats, who are world-renowned and legends for generations now. You will be, too.
Loved the Format
by Gail
Really liked new songs and explanation of what led to song idea. Also Neil Young's song was a great acoustic/vocal arrangement. Awesome group of musicians led by Jim who connects so well with the audience. Jim is so generous by giving opportunities to other musicians (such as Justin Rutledge and Katherine Edwards) to shine. It would have been even better if the sound was more balanced. Keyboards and lead guitar were overshadowed by violin and drums. Enjoying the new CD too!