Might I add that I am GLAD that Geg doesn't dress special for the shows, 'cause the shirt he is wearing in my avatar is the very one he wore that same night ('bout seven hours later) for the Fuse taping, and that's the shirt you all will see him wearing on tv! :D

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Love and understanding are the best answers I've heard yet.


"I love winter, I love snow. I can't get enough of the stuff. For me there's sort of a serenity to it. I like the silence of winter, the way it's just hushed." -GK

Boy for a man that doesn't put much thought into his wardrobe, he sure can spark up a lot of attention for it....heck Janet didn't even get this much attention when her wardrobe malfunctioned...maybe it's been his plan all along!

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Recalculating....


"A gun rack... a gun rack. I don't even own *a* gun, let alone many guns that would necessitate an entire rack. What am I gonna do... with a gun rack?" Wayne Campbell

Jen, you made me laugh   I can see Greg right now, plotting for us to talk about his wardrobe.....NOT

OK, I was at the second show last night.  I didn't keep a set list or anything, but here's my 2 cents....

 First off, I really enjoyed Cuff the Duke.  Bought a CD, and will definitely try to catch them again sometime.  Pretty Blue Rodeo/Skydiggers-esque, if that makes sense. 

I really liked the acoustic set.  Boy, Glenn can do more with one snare drum and a set of brushes then most drummers can do with a whole kit!  I thought everyone's wardrobe was just fine - I've seen Greg look much more casual.  He looked like Greg.  Actually, I thought he looked pretty good, grooming-wise.  And he was also in a pretty chipper mood, cracking jokes about how Travis Good can just play one song then go home (more on that later).  He cracked me up when someone yelled, after he had played a scorching solo, "Give 'em hell Greg".  He said "I do what I can".  Then after, he said "Well, I can't really complain, I make a living.  I'm no TRAVIS GOOD, I'm more of a utility player..."  Pretty funny coming from one of Canada's most successful musicians.

 As for the 2nd set, it was great too - loved the dramatic way they dropped the curtain to reveal Glenn behind his kit, and the lights kicked up.

 Personal highlight for me was Greg's rendition of Dark Angel, with just Bob on piano accompanying him.  Also, Jim did Try, another personal favourite.  They did Black Ribbon, Old Blue House, C'mon, Heart Like Mine, Rain Down on Me, After the Rain, Palace of Gold (Sadies style), You're Not There (with Travis on guitar - wow, that boy can play!).

 I agree with the opnion of Showplace.  It's a great facility, and I love it for my kids' dance recitals etc., but it's a bit "tame" for a rock show.  Plus, we P'boro crowds tend to be a bit staid - I wanted to dance, but I don't stand up unless the people in front of me do - I don't want to get yelled at.  I'm sure it would be more fun for the band if more people danced.

 Overall though, I enjoyed it much more than the Molson Amp show in August.  (Though my love of the Old 97's (August openers) probably clouded my opinion of BR on that magic night!)

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Formerly known as "Katie"

Now that sounds like it was a GOOD show and NNNNOOOOOOOOOO Travis was playing---shucks, I missed it  You know, I had a funny funny funny feeling that he would make it to last night's show, just call it women's intuition LOL  Oh well.

Glad to hear that you had a wonderful time. So I guess there was no dancing? Not even at the end?  Now, if that were me..........  well, we won't go there LOL

Sometimes it's nice to enjoy a show and just sit back and take it all in, but even at those shows, I kind of like to get up and dance towards the end, cause it's just too darn hard to keep my butt planted in those chairs 

Katey, thanks for the great review. Wish I could have been there. :o)

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Love and understanding are the best answers I've heard yet.


"I love winter, I love snow. I can't get enough of the stuff. For me there's sort of a serenity to it. I like the silence of winter, the way it's just hushed." -GK

Well I was at last nights show (Wednesday night), and was feeling pretty Good about the experience too...Until I read Katey's review!  Travis Good was at the Tuesday show????  How can I assign the show the five star rating I was planning originally, knowing that had I attended one night earlier I could have seen last night's great line-up, plus Travis Good!

I saw Cuff The Duke open for Blue Rodeo a couple of years back at Orillia, and thought at the time that they showed great promise.  They have gotten even better since then, and I feel sorry for the folks who don't bother to arrive to catch the opening act.  It can be exciting to see a young band just starting out, and to give them the support and encouragement they deserve.

Several of Katey's comments also apply to last nights show!  "I really liked the acoustic set.  Boy, Glenn can do more with one snare drum and a set of brushes then most drummers can do with a whole kit!" 
"As for the 2nd set, it was great too - loved the dramatic way they dropped the curtain to reveal Glenn behind his kit, and the lights kicked up."  Right on Katey!  My sentiments as well!

By the sounds of it Wednesday's show was pretty much the same as the night before (minus Travis! ).  Greg's rendition of Dark Angel was also the highlight for me last night, as well as his version of 'To Love Somebody'.  He was so sad and soulful sounding during those two numbers that I wanted to give him a comforting hug!  I was just about close enough to do it too, scoring tickets front row, side Greg!   Loved hearing the live version of 'Black Ribbon' my favorite on the new CD.   I also got a kick out of hearing the older classics, which I had never heard sung live before.

For the fashion commentary I will add that Greg wore a crisp-looking white shirt, with those snazzy Western mother-of-pearl snap buttons.   He probably wasn't as jolly as he would have been with his buddy Travis around, but he was in good enough spirits.  He did gently reprimand a silly screecher in the audience "Stop that.  Now just stop that!"  who apparently didn't hear him and screeched again later, prompting him to comment about a 'tea-kettle whistling'.  Some people just can't get enough attention, eh?  Jim looked lovely as well, dressed in a black 'T' and black jeans.  According to my sister, he makes 50-plus years look mighty fine! 

A little humor ensued when someone congratulated the band on their Juno win, and Greg said that kind of thing wasn't really important to them, prompting Jim to say "It is to me!"  Then Greg added 'Unless we win!" and then continued to introduce a song from their 'award winning' CD!  

I thought that the band both looked, and sounded, great last night.  In fact I think it was the most enjoyable Blue Rodeo show I have attended so far.  I was a bit nervous about being right in front of the stage amps, but the sound wasn't over-bearing, and my ear plugs ended up spending most of the night in my purse! 

Greg did invite the audience to dance toward the end of the show, but except for a brave few in the outer aisles everyone remained seated.  That is, at least until the encore, when some of us remained standing.  All I could think was that if certain boardies were there (you know who you are! LOL!), well they wouldn't have to ask twice if anyone wanted to dance!

 

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I carry with me the memory of a field I once knew, of a night so full of stars that I was left humbled by it's endless beauty. I know that whatever the cost, life is worth living. So bring it on...I can take it.

Glad you had such a great time, Carol AND such great seats!

---

Keep it simple

In the middle of the night
We keep sending little kites
Until a little light gets through ~ Patty Griffin

F*ck it, I'm off to the river
Just get me outta here ~ D. Bentall

GOOD review Carol, too bad you didn't have Travis at your show.

Hmmmmmm I wonder who might one of those boardies be that would be dancing

Glad you had a GOOD time 

Although the ride back from rainy Peterborough on Wednesday was a bit Wild Kingdom what with several species of wildlife being spotted (ie. fox, deer, racoon),  I can easily recommend the Showplace Theatre as a destination to see a great show - like Blue Rodeo! (Just make sure you have the deerwhistles firmly attached to the front bumper.)

Here's a setlist:

• 5 Days
• Cryin'
• Rebel
• Blue House
• 3 Hours
• To Love Somebody
• Know Where You Go (w/ Melissa McLelland)
• Tell Me Your Dream (w/ Melissa McLelland)
• Bad Timing

Electric Set:

• Till I Am Myself Again
• Railroad
• Black Ribbon
• C'mon
• What Am I Doing Here
• Dark Angel (Greg and Bob Packwood)
• This Town (Jim on piano)
• Head Over Heels
• Heart Like Mine
• Trust Yourself

Encore:

• Hasn't Hit Me Yet
• After the Rain
• Lost Together (w/ Melissa McLelland and the Cuff the Duke Players/Chorus)

I will just try and fill in the spaces a bit.  Fantastic that Melissa McLelland showed up for Know Where You Go and Tell Me Your Dreams from the Five Days in July album.  Her voice is truly one of those Canadian treasures and she did ample justice to those two classic Greg songs considering that Sarah McLaughlin set a high standard there. I think the whole audience was sort of transfixed by her vocals soaring up to the ceiling of the hall.  Really great.  Also, she has to have the most extensive dress collection.  She would have to have won "best dressed person on stage" on any occasion that I have seen her.

Things started out as they have at other shows with Mike the roadie coming out to the bachelor living room set to put on a record and chill with the tunes lol.  Then the whole band walked on stage and Jim patted him on the head as they walked by him to their respective spots to swing into 5 Days.  Mike was later acknowledged on stage by Greg who remarked that Mike had been with the band for 16 years and told him he had something to say to him before yelling "You're Fired!" which won loud laughter from the audience and a small drum roll (?) from Glenn.

 Our pre-sale seats were nothing less than incredible second row centre which my friend and I enjoyed to the max.  Although Greg announced the dance portion of the show just before Head Over Heels, there was only one lone dancer who braved the wrath of the aisle ushers to sally forth to the front and I don't think she stayed very long.  One person had made a poster that proclaimed "Blue Rodeo - Group of the Year Juno Winner" or something similar and at some point Greg humourously remarked as referred to above, something about them "not being into that artistic competitive stuff" and Jim quipped "I am!....I am!" to laughter from the crowd. Jim had both hands folded over the top of his acoustic as he stood in a very relaxed way and said this in the same manner of someone purchasing train tickets at a high desk. lol! ( I don't know why this analogy occured to me)

Sadly, we missed Cuff the Duke due to circumstances beyond our control but it will have to suffice for me to say that they are a very good band, very worth seeing - lottsa talent there.  I still would like to see Wayne Pettit sing Blew it Again someday as well as hear all their new and older material.

There were many good solos sprinkled throughout the show.  Bob Packwood drew early applause with his forays on 5 Days and honky-tonkin' Blue House,  Glenn was just sheer explosive energy and drumming passion on C'mon, etc. and Bob Egan had several nice solos as well, notably on 3 Hours.  Bazil just blew everyone away on the closer Lost Together.  I think the building was vibrating with the intensity of his playing but it wasn't too loud.  It's funny somehow, that a bass can evoke such a mood that, to me, sums up the whole sentiment of the song.

It was Jim and Greg however who had us all incontrovertably, emotionally pinned however, with their individual voices, lyrics, guitar-playing and harmonies as always.  Jim's Try had a few people...okay well...the entire audience swooning.  If his voice isn't like molten honey then I don't know what is. He really gave it all the highs and the sweetest delivery you could hope for standing there in the spotlight with his Gibson.  Greg's Dark Angel had to be the one of the best I've seen/heard.  All the while, Greg looked like he was enjoying the moment so much and it was sounding so great.  I have to liken it somehow to the feeling of hitting a ball with a bat or a tennis raquet on its sweet spot,  a ski bending, working and bouncing you up with released energy on a turn to describe it completely.  Okay - enough with the sports analogies - it looked like it felt as good as it sounded which was very good indeed.  Bob's accompaniement was spot-on - perfect: poignant yet not maudlin, complex but not complicated, simple but many-layered, brave yet vulnerable  - just like the song.

There was some very effective video running behind a few songs like C'mon which featured a sort of live cam on a freeway with the car headlights all rushing and blurring together.  That really caught the energy of the song I thought. There is a roadside destination mileage sign in the video but I couldn't make out the names on it.  What am I Doing Here featured footage of a large Ferris wheel lit up at night.

All too soon it was time to stand under the streetlight and watch the snow fall into the great dark wonder as everyone sang Hasn't Hit Me Yet. Wayne and Melissa joined in for turns on verses of Lost Together along with the other members of Cuff the Duke.  A splendid time was had by all.

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"Over straight and crooked miles
Falling out of favour or embraced
Wondering where was love...
It hadn't happened yet"
~Ron Sexsmith~

Nearest to all things
Patiently waiting
So let the angels sing
Silently weeping

I could go on and on but must sleep...such a great psychelic beginning to Railroad....fingers slowing....zzzzzzzzz   After the rain wooooo.......wow...

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"Over straight and crooked miles
Falling out of favour or embraced
Wondering where was love...
It hadn't happened yet"
~Ron Sexsmith~

Nearest to all things
Patiently waiting
So let the angels sing
Silently weeping

Thanks for the long post, carolk! I have lived vicariously through review! :p

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Love and understanding are the best answers I've heard yet.


"I love winter, I love snow. I can't get enough of the stuff. For me there's sort of a serenity to it. I like the silence of winter, the way it's just hushed." -GK

ann, the post above goes for you too! ;)

XXXX

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Love and understanding are the best answers I've heard yet.


"I love winter, I love snow. I can't get enough of the stuff. For me there's sort of a serenity to it. I like the silence of winter, the way it's just hushed." -GK

Thanks everyone for your fantastic reviews.   They made me feel like I was there.  Sounds like a great time was had by all.

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Don't even worry about tomorrow
You know it's only today all over again.

justaroundmidnight:

GOOD review Carol, too bad you didn't have Travis at your show. Hmmmmmm I wonder who might one of those boardies be that would be dancing Glad you had a GOOD time

Yeah, it is hard not to be a little disappointed that I missed Travis 'King of the six-strings' Good!  It's always makes a performance a bit more special when he joins Greg/BR on stage.

As for the dancing...Now we all know that you are way too shy to jump up and dance front and centre...NOT!   LOL!

Ann, I hope you don't think I would include you in those not bothering to check out the opening act!  I was just aware that most of the front row remained empty until BR was about to come on.  I was touched by how thankful Cuff The Duke was of the audience response, and how they thanked those who were present for their set. 

I agree that the  Showplace Performance Theatre in Peterborough is an excellent venue to see Blue Rodeo (especially if you have seats that close to the stage!)   I would definitely consider attending another show there.

We didn't see any wild-life on the way home and it is probably just as well, considering we drove through a fog that was so heavy it reminded me of the Stephen King movie The Mist!   We had to drive very slowly, and try to follow the lines on the road!

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I carry with me the memory of a field I once knew, of a night so full of stars that I was left humbled by it's endless beauty. I know that whatever the cost, life is worth living. So bring it on...I can take it.