An Evening With Corb Lund

Much to my annoyance it is rather rare lately for me to take in some live music.  Its even rarer for me to catch a Canadian performer, since North Carolina is not on everyones tour schedule.

So when future music legend, and self professed cow afficianado, Corb Lund, came to Asheville, I jumped at the chance.

So last night my wifey and I found ourselves in a little (120ish seats) theatre in downtown Asheville, sitting front row, to see a great concert by Corb Lund, and the Hurtin' Albertans.

If you don't live in Canada, and have not heard of Corb Lund, you are not alone (If you are in Canada, and haven't heard of Corb Lund, I can't help you - perhaps you should try paying closer attention to your awesome country).  He is a country performer, who sings about the typical country things, like horses, cows,  and more esoteric things like history, bad cows (I know what you are thinking and that there are no downside to cows, but they are actually complex, emotional beasts - kinda like Emo kids, but taste better on the grill), murder, soldiery things, smuggling, and getting stuck in the mud.  (Check out his stuff here.)  Its quite the mix of quirky humour and dark broody stuff.  A great mix, really.  I'm not normally a fan of country, but I can dig Corb.  Corb is good, and wise, and musical.

It was a fantastic concert - great sound, great seats, awesome songs - he even took requests.  I did take time out from being immersed in the concert to take some photos.

This is the second time I've seen Corb, and both times were excellent.  I highly recommend you check him out if you get the chance.

Great Big Sea

Great Big Sea is a high energy maritime folk rock band from Newfoundland Canada.  Last night they played the McGlohon Theatre in downtown Charlotte NC.    Luckily all the details (getting last minute tickets, lining up a babysitter etc.) worked out and my wife and I were able to head down to Charlotte and check out the show.

We have been fans of Great Big Sea for 10+ years, and it was a real treat for a couple of Canadian expats to spend an evening enjoying some amazing Canadian music.  We were not dissapointed.  GBS was in top form as they played a double set of their classic hits and some tracks off of their latest record.  The sound quality was almost perfect, and the audience interaction was fantastic.  The energy in the room started out high and didn't come down until the end of the last song.

If you are not familiar with GBS, their songs range from the serious to fun to extremely fun, and all celebrate the maritime culture that defines Newfoundland.  I managed to grab the following bootleg video of GBSs performance of a comedic song called Charlie Horse, which is a song about friends rescuing a horse who drowned in a lake.  It is a perfect example of how GBS songs often make light of the events surrounding the often hard life in traditional Newfoundland and Labrador.  Please forgive the video quality.  I only managed to grab one video before I was told "pictures were not allowed in the theatre".  I hope you enjoy it.

New Years Rockin Eve - The Wettest Concert Ever

This year I attended the wettest concert in history... but I digress...

Just before Christmas I was driving with my fiance down by Niagara Falls, looking at the lights, taking pictures, and checking out the sites. Amongst the many beautiful sites (such as lights, falling water, and my fiance's smile) I saw a sign. It said one of the most wonderful things ever: "Free Concert: New Years Eve: Foreigner, Colin James, and Justin Hines".

I have wanted to see Colin James live since I saw him on Corner Gas. I was about to drop $55 a ticket to go see him in Hamilton, and now I can see him for free! Outstanding!

So I quickly convince Deborah (being my fiance and in the car with me, and a sucker for punishment, it didn't take long). She contacted some of her friends, and boom! We had New Years plans.

Now, on December 31st, we drove down to Niagara Falls, and parked by the casino. We debated whether or not we should take our umbrellas. We bravely (and niavely) said "nay" and declined.

So we went off to eat, and wandered down to the falls, waded through the crowd, got some good positions, and watched the concert.

... then it started raining. And it hardly stopped for 3.5 hours. Keep in mind this is the middle of a Canadian winter, so the temperature is not exactly tropical. It was cold to be sure. Some of our friends started to balk. "It's cold" they said. "Its wet", they cried, "lets get out of here".

"Nay!" I exclaimed. This isn't some country and/or western show where one just gives up! This is rock'n'roll! No rain, no snow, no sleet, no hail will stop true-blood rockers! Thats just how we roll. So I stayed, and so did Deborah, GOD bless her. We swayed to the love songs, rocked to the fast songs, and when midnight came, by golly I kissed her under the fireworks and umbrellas, and it was wonderful.

And thus ended the wettest concert ever.

Now, many may be curious (ok, no one, but its my blog, so tough noogies) how many bands I have seen. Luckily for you, I made a list:

== Pre 2001:

David Meece
White Heart
Bush
Jesus Lizard

== 2001:
Molson Amphitheatre - Toronto
Aerosmith

== 2004:
House Of Blues - South Carolina
The Tragically Hip
Sam Roberts

== 2005:
Live 8 - Molson Park:
Bryan Adams
Barenaked Ladies
Motley Crue
Our Lady Peace
Jet
Blue Rodeo
Neil Young
Gordon Lightfoot
Bruce Cockburn
Jann Arden
Tragically Hip
Sam Roberts
Randy Bachman
Tom Cochrane
Simple Plan
Deep Purple
K'Naan
African Guitar Summit
Jet
DMC
Dobacarocol
Les Trois Accord

Molson Amphitheatre - Toronto
The White Stripes

Gage Park - Brampton (New Years Eve)
Glass Tiger

== 2006:
Hamilton:
Arrogant Worms

Air Canada Center - Toronto
Bon Jovi - Have A Nice Day Tour
Aerosmith
Motley Crue

Molson Amphiteatre - Toronto
Great Big Sea

Massey Hall - Toronto
Dwight Yoakam

New Years Eve @ Niagara Falls (The wettest rock concert ever!)
Justin Hines
Colin James
Foreigner

==Upcoming:
Barenaked Ladies - ACC Feb 2007

On The Radar:
Arrogant Worms - Rose Theatre Feb 07
Colin James & The Little Big Band- Rose Theatre Feb 02


==Wish List:
Petra
Joe Satriani
Pink Floyd

== Never Gonna Happen Cause Of Death Or Stupidity:
Nirvana
The Beatles
Guns'n'Roses - The original lineup