| GBS in AC at the HOB |
| I feel like I'm speaking in code with that title, but it says it all so succintly! Back to the show: It seemed a very short time when Pat McGee was finished and it was almost time for the b’ys to come on. We spent the time between discussing what kind of GBS show this might be – an old-school all-the-hits show or something different. The voting was about 50-50. But everyone was surprised when the opened with one from the new CD – Tonight. Not an old-school show at all, as it turned out! Full of surprises, pleasant ones at that! Tonight was well received and I like the layering they are doing with the voices. The bass was up way too loud and it was physically felt. Murray’s mic seemed too low. Was I surprised to find Bob doing high harmony! Séan looked to be in good form. This was good as his mood sometimes potentially can make the difference between a great show and a good one. I’ve never seen a bad GBS show in my 10 years of fandom. Since cameras were not permitted tonight, you’ll have to be happy with the description of their Atlantic City uniforms. Alan was wearing a tee shirt with a phoenix? On it and a matching-in-color long sleeve shirt underneath, Séan was wearing his black shirt with the woven design that he got for Shines Right Thru Me at the ECMAs in 2005. It looks like a barbed-wire design but it’s an embroidered design of some sort. He had on his comfy Bob Marley shoes. Both Alan and Bob looked like they were wearing Docs, and Bob was in his customary basic black – black jeans, black pin-striped shirt and black corduroy jacket. Kris was wearing his Austin City Limits tee shirt and Murray was resplendent in a black button-down shirt. Paddy Murphy quickly followed after a brief mention that the band’s name was Great Big Sea and they were from Newfoundland. Séan was enjoying the “naughty, naughty” girls in front even though he was wagging his finger at them. Bob’s accordion was in great form and he played with gusto, making frequent eye contact and smiling at/with Alan. When I’m Up immediately followed, with the audience very willing to put their trust in Alan. When the time came for the fiddle solo, everyone was bouncing, but Bob sounded a bit off on the extended solo part fiddle part. I guess he was going for something different. As soon as that ended, the “Hey yay yay somewhere” chorus of Sea of No Cares began. Joined immediately by the drums, it was certain that this was the rock version of SoNC. Totally enjoyable and the crowd sang along happily. I like both versions of this song as well as Chris Trapper’s version. Good song all around. Bob’s bouzouki wasn’t turned up loud enough. This would be the case for the rest of the show. Guess they mixed up Murray’s bass amp with Bob’s bouzouki amp. “This is Atlantic City and we are GBS from the Tropical Island of Newfoundland Make some noise for Pat McGee. " Brothers and sisters, this is our first time ever in AC.” Smiled Alan. “Yes, we are Atlantic City virgins - for the next half hour anyway,” quipped Séan. “What goes on in Atlantic City…” Alan began and the audience finished, “...Stays in AC!” “Do they say that? I don’t know,” Alan asked. And then, someone on Alan’s side did something odd and his eyes got wide, and commented, “Whoa...whoa…Is that one person or two? Well… anyway… Oh dear… excuse me, I’m a little verklempft.” Then he got himself together and continued with “We’ll have the greatest celebration in the history of Planet Earth! We are Great Big Sea and we are celebrating 15 years together this week, so raise your glasses and let’s get this party started.” What an intro to Jack Hinks! Kris had a little different drum beat to this one that I remember and Bob was great on the accordion, with Alan and Séan gathering over there during his solo. Everyone enjoyed dancing, singing and clapping along to this one. They needed a rest after the energy of Jack Hinks so everyone stopped and took a ‘fun inventory.’ “My, oh my! Happy Patty’s weekend! How’s it going so far?” Alan and Séan asked. “It seems like it’s been such a long time,” Séan commented. They talked about sexy Pat McGee and Brian, Pat McGee’s guitarist and how he was playing ‘shredder guitar.’ Alan quipped that he asked him not to play the “hard shite and warned him to keep it mediocre, but…” and Séan made the comment “That’s the last time you’ll hear Pat McGee opening for us he played too well!” They thanked the audience for coming and Alan mentioned “We almost did make it we almost got stuck in St. John’s. We managed to get here late last night – there was a big snowstorm,” explained the two. “We got into Atlantic City last night/early this morning…and we’ve been drinking ever since,” Séan deadpanned. “It’s good to be back to our other life. I’ve missed you!” he continued. Someone in the audience yelled “I love you Alan” and he asked “Who said that? Oh I love you!” When Séan started to get back on track, talking about the new album, Alan commented to the girl who raised her hand to be identified, “Oh, I love you too!…In a dirty way.” Would you believe Séan had to bring the train back on the tracks a few times tonight? He’s usually the one derailing it! But Alan was full of mischief tonight and Séan had to mention several times about the new album to get him back on track. They mentioned they’d be out touring in the summer and fall to support the album and how this was the ninth album. Walk On the Moon came next, the calmest of the new songs I’ve heard. Very nice song, bound to be a favorite of a lot of people. Bob sounds like he’s cemented the fiddle part for it now. It sounded pretty good, too! The bass was so loud, my sweatshirt was moving as Murray banged out each bass note. Whoa! Way too much! They said both record companies had decided to release the new record called Fortune’s Favour on the same day - June 24th. “Of course nothing is ever written in stone according to the record companies,” commented Séan and Alan. Apparently they’ve had a few release dates already, and it keeps getting pushed back. Originally, Alan had said right after Christmas, then it was the Spring, now we’re into Summer. Go fig! But I am happy that they are releasing both at the same time. Séan began to say the band was going to sing a summer song, but Alan interrupted him and said “More like Spring.” “Oh, so you’re reading the setlist?” Séan smiled, as he looked at Alan. “It’s just a loose guide…” suggested Alan. The Spring song was Charlie Horse! Love that song and I especially love the fiddle part, which Bob changed up a little this evening. Alan stopped and chortled when he got to the word “stalwart” and Bob knocked on his fiddle with the bow. At the end, Séan quipped, “Well, that went better than expected!” |
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