Find out what your fellow Blue Rodeo fans thought about the band's many 2006 performances by reading over the reviews posted below.
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Vancouver, BC - Malkin Bowl - August 26, 2006
by Michael Francisco
Every year we look forward to these unique shows at Malkin Bowl with such anticipation. Last year, Lisa and I had a chance to finally meet up with some fellow board members and had a total blast. This year, however, we had a bit of a special side mission in that we were bringing some good friends whom we have been trying to introduce to Blue Rodeo's music, like they need any introduction! You could say this was a conversion mission of sorts!
The six of us piled into the minivan and headed for the western skies above Vancouver. We met up with a group of fellow board members for a nice dinner. One of our friends insisted on dessert and another drink resulting in us leaving the restaurant late. Kathleen Edwards was once again opening for Blue Rodeo and we had missed her set a couple years back so we were really looking forward to catching it this time. Unfortunately, we did it again and missed all but her last two songs. What we did catch though was beautiful. Kathleen is a gorgeous and talented singer/songwriter and you could tell her performance was sending great vibes through the audience. It was a perfect primer for the main act.
After a short break the time had finally come. The traditional introduction music started playing and we all took our seats. Jim, Greg, and the rest of the boys sauntered out with big smiles on their faces waving to the crowd.
With the audience cheering they wasted no time and broke straight into "Til I Am Myself Again." We all jumped up dancing but the overzealous security guards put an end to that quickly. We had to settle for dancing in our seats with our hands in the air.
It was a greatest hits show with a three-song encore. For me there were lots of highlights so it was hard to narrow it down. The first was hearing "Side Of The Road." I've heard this song live a few times but in this park it's always such an enchanting experience for me. Sitting there listening, taking in the fresh air and the beautiful surroundings, I thought, "Wow! Here we are again. How great are these shows!" For "Bad Timing" Kathleen Edwards was invited to perform a duet with Jim. Again, this girl has an amazing voice and her incredible harmonizing matched Jim perfectly making for a beautiful rendition. Of course, you can't have a Rodeo show without "Five Days In May," and it didn't disappoint. Bob Packwood pounded those keys like a madman on a mission. Maybe it's the new air in the park, or maybe its something else, but Greg always throws down a very cool solo for this song. It's always about five minutes long, he hits every note on the guitar neck twice, and takes you back to a 1969-like era when bell bottoms and free love rang. Go Flamenco Greg! Very cool!
"English Bay" was preceded by Greg's telling of the love triangle story that led to the writing of the song. Jim joked about it by saying that his next song "Rena" was written about the love triangle between his wife and Greg! Barney Bentall, another great Malkin Bowl tradition, joined the boys to sing one of his new songs, "Dream Of The Day," and then again later for "Hasn't Hit Me Yet." For me the biggest highlight of the night came with "After the Rain," which placed Jim at his piano belting it out like I've never heard before. I've always had such a respect for this man's voice, but the way Jim carried on the ending singing "After The Rain" over and over again just floored me. The emotion and force in his face was incredible and by the end of the song I literally had goose bumps. It ended with a completely deserved standing ovation by the entire audience. By the time the encore started there was no way the guards could stop us. We were up front and centre kicking up the dirt below us and loving every minute of it. Even Kathleen Edwards couldn't resist joining the fun so she came out and stood in the crowd for the last few songs.
After the show we said our goodbyes. With the buzz of electricity still ringing in our ears we drove home, smiling and singing at the wonderful way we had just spent our evening. 
I've heard it said before that these shows in the park are fast becoming a Stratford for the West. We've never had the opportunity to go to Stratford, but I can say that these shows are definitely a very special event that is becoming a tradition. And this is one tradition that I hope lasts forever. When we were dropped off and our friends were getting ready to leave, I asked them if they had been successfully converted to fans. The only response I got was a sparkle in their eyes and a big Blue Rodeo "family" smile (you all know what I mean). "Welcome to family guys," I chuckled. "Welcome to the family."
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Vancouver, BC - Malkin Bowl - August 25, 2006
by Marnie Trout
As my mom and I drove into Stanley Park for the second time that day (the first being a practice run to make sure I could find my way there and back from my mom's cousin's house), I couldn't help but think that there couldn't be more perfect weather for an outdoor concert. It wasn't too hot and there was no chance of rain. Who could ask for anything better?
We would have been on time to see Kathleen Edwards, but there were at least two dozen people in line to get a parking pass when we got there. Here's some advice; if you go to see a concert at the Malkin Bowl, get your pass somewhere else in the park. Anyway, what I did hear of Kathleen's set was great. I don't really know any of her songs other than "Hockey Skates," but I found myself tapping my toes and seriously considering buying her album nonetheless.
After Kathleen was done, I went up front to say hello to fellow discussion board members Hazy Soul, Already Gone, The Sparkster, Laurel, schwa_girl and schwa_guy. Bluegirl, I was told, was off somewhere and I didn't see her before the show started. Everyone was in a great mood and I was happy to see them all again!
The crowd erupted into cheers and clapping when Blue Rodeo finally came onstage. We were eagerly awaiting the first note that would signify that the show had officially started when Jim moved away from his microphone and said something to Greg, who immediately started laughing. He then told us that a bird had pooped on Jim's shoulder! A stagehand was nearby with a towel, so Jim was wiped off and they got the show on the road.
The majority of the set was from their earlier albums, which seemed to suit most people just fine. Everyone was in fine form as the show progressed. Bob Packwood never ceases to amaze with his funky piano styles, the best of which was displayed during "Diamond Mine." Kathleen Edwards joined Jim in singing "Bad Timing." I found she added a unique twist to it, but my mom really didn't like the way she amended her favorite Blue Rodeo song. Part way through, she walked behind Jim and picked something up, then waved it in his face, which nearly caused him to mess up his lines. I couldn't tell what it was from where I was sitting, but afterwards he said it was a feather. I don't think he will ever live that one down!
I was pleasantly surprised with "Better Off As We Are" and "Love And Understanding," which I had never heard live before. At one point I lost sight of Jim, but I could still hear him talking. I finally spotted him off to the far left at the piano and wondered what he would play next. We were rewarded with a superb rendition of "After The Rain," and when he hit the high note at the end of the line ".losing my way back to you," I got goosebumps that lasted through the rest of the song.Barney Bentall came on