Is there a better place on the planet to see a band than Martyrs on Clark?  BR were amazing last night, and the crowd kept clapping and roaring for several minutes after they left the stage.  My girlfriend and I were a little skeptical on the way in about the "and Friends" approach, but were won over almost immediately.  The three guys they had on stage with them were incredibly gifted and impassioned in their performances, and you could see -- particularly on songs like "Lost Together" -- that their presence inspired BR and greatly elevated the energy and intensity and freshness of the whole evening.  I'm thinking for some reason of Jon Stewart's hilarious comments about the E Street Band last week: "do ya like 'joy?'" If you like 'joy,' go see these guys. Appreciated Jim's kind comments on the local hockey team -- to all the expat or visiting Canucks who booed that one, come on!  I get the feeling that some fans see these shows as unofficial Canadian conventions and I, for one, think "Hasn't Hit Me Yet" would make a great alternative Canadian national anthem, but is it okay if Americans like the band too?  Thanks for coming to Chicago, guys.  We are not huge in numbers but we love the band and will come out every chance we get. 

welcome daniel9923, glad to hear you enjoyed the show.

BR's friends on stage are super talented and no newcomers to the music scene.  They are all a joy to watch. I don't like to hear booing either in an arena during a hockey game or during any mention of a hockey team. Everyone has their favourites and that's a known fact. So sorry to hear that booing was even a part of your evening

It's absolutely, totally okay if Americans like the band  and yeah Hasn't Hit Me Yet would make an GOOD alternative Canadian National Anthem, I think everyone and anyone knows that song

Thanks for posting about your evening 

daniel9923:

I'm thinking for some reason of Jon Stewart's hilarious comments about the E Street Band last week: "do ya like 'joy?'" If you like 'joy,' go see these guys.

I saw the Daily Show that night too and it made me smile because that is exactly how I feel after seeing Blue Rodeo.

Welcome to the board daniel9923 & thanks for taking the time to post a review.  The friends on this tour are AWESOME.  I am green with envy for all of you who are lucky enough to catch some of these shows.  I am glad you had such a great time.

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Greg Keelor met Jim Cuddy and then I met you people. Serendipity is a marvellous thing.


"I guess I don't know if I believe in God but
I know a song can make you feel good once
in a while." ~Greg Keelor~

justaroundmidnight and HazySoul, thanks for the warm welcome.  I've been lurking here for a couple of years but last night's show may have been my favorite among the many times I've seen BR, and I couldn't help wanting to call in.  I had the good fortune to see the E Street Band over two nights earlier this week at the United Center as well, and though it's not really fair to compare shows because of the venues, I actually had a lot more fun last night.  Much of it came from the fresh approach to the older material, the "friends," as well as the new songs, which I was hearing for the first time.  The new stuff sounds remarkably strong.  I didn't get to the merch table, but am downloading it from iTunes as we speak. 
 

A five star BR show. Wow! A sold out Martyrs welcomed the band (and friends) and man was the band sharp.

I am certainly in the camp that doesn't favor the "friends" concept. Maybe in Canada, where these other artists are known and revered, but here in the US and especially last night, many the US fans I spoke with were befuddled. Maybe it was the fact that people didn't know what the night's format would be or maybe it was that the friends sometimes slowed down the musical train that is BR - but personally, GIVE ME MORE BLUE RODEO! Everytime the band left the BR material and played along on other songs - all I could think of was, "gee I wish they were doing a BR gem". A minor point of complaint in a night of great music.

As mentioned the Chicago crowd was very supportive and it seems after the band had played to less than capacity crowds earlier on the tour - the support was rejuvenating. Hearing many of the Small Miracles songs live was the highlight for me. Blue House, Black Ribbon, Come on, This Town, and others. After the Rain was amazing - as was Trust Yourself. Hearing all those guitarists just rip into the solos on this song was a jawdropping experience.

I spent half the show up front and half in the back of the room. Greg looked great health-wise and Jim was breaking hearts throughout the night.

Comedic moment of the night: People thinking that Baz was singing lead on multiple songs - only to realize that it was Ron Sexsmith. They do look like brothers, dontcha think?

Random musical moment: Jim Cuddy just blew the house out with his lead GUITAR playing. While Greg is usually the one who gets the cheers for his outta sight solos - it was Jim that impressed me both on the new stuff and the classics. An underrated guitarist.

I'm abit fuzzy on the details for set list - and I'm hoping that I remember more after I shake this hangover. I want to thank Sonja for the lift to my hotel in less than stellar driving conditions (who knew that road construction continues at 2:00 AM?).

Final thought: The people at the show last night LOVE Blue Rodeo.You could feel it in the air, in their smiles, in the cheering and the singing along. The crowd was respectful and grateful for the opportunity to see and hear their favorite band live once again. I know I was. Lookout Nashville - I'm coming into town to spread the gospel of Blue Rodeo at the AMA conference.

Peace now,

Mexican Diplomat (aka Jake to any new BR friends I met last night - and there were a ton)

 

 

 

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"There's the right way, then there's my way,
there's a highway, if you don't like it you can take it..."

Butch Walker

Thanks for your reviews, daniel9923 and Mexican Diplomat.  I still can't understand why BR hasn't made it big in the U.S. when they started out some 20 years ago! I feel sorry for the people who have never heard their music or seen them live - they don't know what they're missing, do they?

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Don't waste the time, the time that isn't lost (Jim Cuddy)

I have to agree with what Mexican Diplomat said - a great show, but I would have liked more Blue Rodeo. Minor complaint as I did like the guests (especially Luke Doucet). Brought a couple of friends who had never seen Blue Rodeo before and they now are hooked. It's a shame the band doesn't have a larger following in the states.

Hopefully they come back in 2008 as I owe my wife big time since she graciously stayed home with our kids...

 

thanks for your reviews, daniel9923 and Mexican Diplomat. Nice to see you again, MD!  and a warm welcome to the DB, daniel9923!  I have nothing to compare it to, because I'd never been to a Chicago show before, but I did find it was a wonderful show.  The band was relaxed and yes, happy .  The crowd reminded me of Blue Rodeo's Canadian shows in the earlier days - sold out, yet everyone who was there, was there for the music; and really into it.  I'm glad that both of you enjoyed Ron, Luke and Justin, despite the fact that you wanted to hear more Blue Rodeo.  The "and friends" was one of the main reasons I justified my road trip.  Oh, and I just loved Chicago.  I want to go back soon, and spend more time there next time.

One other note - it was great to hear Now and Forever. I happened to be listening to Diamond Mine as I drove in for the show and had sort of forgotten about that song. Great song..

Did anyone bother to write down a setlist; or nab one off the stage post-show?

 I'd like to see how it compares to the Atlanta set; which I will post soon.

 Cheers...

S

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"I'm steady as rain...nothin' ever changes in my heart"
--JC

sorry, Steve, I totally neglected my duties .  What can I say?  I was having too much fun listening to the music and just didn't bother pulling out paper and pen.  But looking at the Atlanta setlist, I think it was pretty much the same.  'cept, Ron Sexsmith did one of his songs that makes my heart melt, it's so beautiful: Gold in Them Hills.  And Justin didn't play "Robin" is, but did play "Lay Me Down" and "Music to My Ears".

Although I didn't nab a setlist, I believe Now and Forever wasn't on it, because Ron said something about it being a surprise to him, but it was one of his favourites; and then he certainly held his own.  This was the first show of the U.S. tour where they played it.  (Maybe they hadn't even rehearsed it before with him? These guys are all such professionals.)

If you're at the Nashville show tomorrow and get a chance to chat with either Jim or Greg, can you please remind them that they promised an aquaintance of mine in Philadelphia that they'd play Floating in Buffalo?  Maybe you can even get them to play it tomorrow?