Tuesday nights show was fantastic. The setlist alone made it one of their best shows that I've experienced, and I've seen well over 15 or 20 Blue Rodeo shows. I hope someone scribbled down a complete, chronological setlist.
My evening started with a blast down the sea-to-sky highway from my cold snowed in Whistler home, to meet my friend and her uncle and a couple others for the show. The seats were amazing. 3rd row centers, couldn't really ask for more! They were also free, a payback from my friend Andrea for taking her to BR at the historic Malkin Bowl last summer. This review is dedicated to her!
Luke Doucet played a fantastic set. Both his wife and daughter have amazing voices. Well-crafted songs with some really great lyrics and smooth melodies. He reminds me of a cross between Matt Mays, Gord Downie, Joel Plaskett, and at least one member of Blue Rodeo. I'm going to buy his CD!
Setlist, definitely not in chronological order:
Dark Angel, English Bay, After the Rain, Rain Down On Me, Rebel, Rose Coloured Glasses, Try, Head Over Heels, Hasn't Hit Me Yet, Five Days In May, Til I am Myself Again, Lost Together, Heart Like Mine, What Am I Doing Here, Trust Yourself.
Highlights of the night were first and foremost hearing REBEL live. I was really hoping this one would stay on the setlist, and it did. I'm not sure I've ever heard it in all my BR concerts, so it was kinda special. Rain Down On Me is one I've rarely heard as well, and one of my favorites for sure. English Bay sounded fantastic as well. This song is also easily in my top 5. It might be my all-time #1 BR song, but that's a question I would have a hard time answering!
Greg may have seemed somewhat distant during Dark Angel, but keep in mind this is a very sad song! I had to keep myself distant from it so I wouldn't be hurled into a state depression. It really is also one of my all-time fav BR songs. Sometimes the saddest songs can be the most uplifting and powerful of all. It was Elton John who said "When all hope is gone, why don't you tune in and turn them on?". Greg sang, as always, with such conviction and sincerity. "There's this face that I know, that I've never seen..."
Bob Egan is always in true form. One of my slide guitar-playing friends insists that Egan is truly world-class. That guy can rip the lap steel! We heard some great solos from him tonight. Bob Packwood ripped some incredible solos as always, he really gets the crowd going! We all saw Bazil Donovan shine during the final song, Lost Together, for his only solo of the night. We love you Bazil! Glenn Milchem always keeps a solid and never overpowering beat. I'm sure Luke Doucet didn't mind having him sit in as his drummer.
The encore was tons of fun, and we managed to be right up against the stage. Not sure I've been this close to the band since my east coast concert going days. Three songs into the end of their set, they invited the fans up to the stage. We had been told this would happen, and after I spoiled the setlist for all of us by peeking at the soundboard, I had a good idea of when it was going to happen. Head Over Heels, Heart Like Mine, After the Rain, Hasn't Hit Me Yet, Lost Together, and Trust Yourself (?) were all part of the encore. I definitely danced a bit, and most certainly sang along to nearly every word.
On the way home, I had to stop at English Bay beach, near my old Vancouver home, to savour the splendour of the pacific. I found myself alone on the beach. While gazing up at the Sylvia hotel and then out at the ocean, thinking about the loves that I've lost along the way and the others who will come, the only logical thing to do was sing a full version of English Bay at the top of my lungs. After I was done, the drive up 99 was no problem. Thank you, Greg Keelor, and all of Blue Rodeo, for your powerful music!
More than anything I wish
You were here
Lying by my side
Holding me near
Listening to the rain
And the passing cars
And the waves on..... English Bay