GBS at the HOB in AC
The audience got tired of chanting Great Big Sea and ended up with a soccer or bullfighting chant. which featured the word "Olé!"

When they finally did come out and Alan had a low-slung electric guitar around his neck, I knew it was going to be my least favorite of the new songs – Oh Yeah! But I sure did love Bob’s bouzouki hook in the beginning and throughout the song! He was really concentrating on his playing for this song. And Séan sure did look as though he was enjoying himself. Alan sung it an octave higher after the initial bass lines. I hadn’t realized it was so short! Maybe I’ll like it after a few more listens. I don’t know.

As people yelled requests, the familiar Morse code began and I knew my favorite GBS song was next – Ordinary Day. I sang with gusto because I was so glad to hear it! I didn’t need a second encore after this, even though I sure was hoping for one. Alan introduced the band after it and I figured that was it for the evening, one encore. But it was okay ‘cause I had “a smile on my face and four walls around me.”

We started chanting again and they didn’t bring up the house lights so that meant another encore. Woohoo! Another soccer/bullfight chant ensued with no band so the Great Big Sea chant started again.

Some people passed a note up or yelled "Ships and DIp" and they acknowledged the people who had gone on the Ships and Dips cruise with them last month. Séan said it was the most mojitos he’d ever drank. And that they were asked back on the boat next year, but they didn’t think they’d be able to do it as performers again because it was too much responsibility for them when they had to do shows. They wanted to pay for their tix and enjoy the other performers. But Alan commented on how they’d be back in the Philadelphia area this summer at the Philly Folk Festival. They had played the Festival in 1998 or 1999, unfortunately before I was a rabid fan.

“What? Seriously? We said we’d never do that again! I thought we were barred!” Séan seemed surprised because it was the “most sober place”. (It is a dry festival) Séan claimed that they were banned from the festival and they said they weren’t ever going to do it again. Alan said they kicked them out, but they’ve allowed them back in.

Alan began singing a song about the festival and Séan joined in.

Alan: Oh the Philly folk festival has generally no beer
That’s terrible! How's it manage to ???? a year?
A folk festival with beer is like hockey without a puck
Séan: I don’t know about you, but I just went for a ___________
Alan (interrupting):”hey hey ho ho you can leave puck out in the middle “
Séan: (continuing with a smile) I remember Louden Wainwright was sitting at the free bar
And Alan asked if he could buy him another beer
And being Louden Wainwright, I figured something smart would come back
But he was Louden Wainwright and he wasn’t very funny at all
He said "Dude, this is a free bar, you can’t buy me a beer."
And Alan began to explain, that was the essence of the joke
And then Louden said something about, “Well, you're not very _____ "
Alan : And so I punched him right in the face!
Séan: So much for Louden Wainwright, sitting at the bar ...

Alan: I used to be a fan. No, I’m kidding. Louden Wainwright was good.
Séan: So, that’s why we were kicked out of the Philly Folk Festival.
Alan: I’d love to have one game of hockey against that bast*%d!

Alan promised to sign someone’s cast and then they launched immediately into Old Black Rum.  That 'soothed the savage breast' of those in the audience who had been yelling for Mari Mac.

When Alan immediately launched into Rant and Roar, I knew this was the real honest-to-goodness end. What a treat to hear a bunch of people from the area surrounding Atlantic City belting out Rant and Roar with the b’ys! Nice topping off of the evening. Alan was the last to leave as usual, handing a pick to Fran's little girl in the front row. I was asked to accompany some people who had VIP passes to the VIP lounge but I was not dressed according to the dress code apparently. So we gave the ticket to someone else who had better tell us about the time in the VIP lounge! Or maybe I don't want to know. At any rate, it was not meant to be I guess. I hope everyone had a good time. Actually, it's a good thing I didn't go because I was falling asleep at the wheel for the last 20 minutes going home.

After the show, we talked about the new album and how we had no idea what it would be like, with the variety of songs we've heard from it so far. Something to look forward to in the summer, I guess. And I am still coming down from that high you get after a GBS show. My feet are in no condition to do anything, however. They were done in. But this show will be memorable for the mixed-up setlist and all the funny banter, as well as a reminder not to go back to this venue. I didn't like the two-tiered admission, even though I was the recipient of this privilege and I didn't like all the security measures. Vic claims he was patted down in addition to being wanded. I didn't enjoy the sound system either. If this is the way it is at all HOBs, then I don't need to go to any more. But I am glad I went this evening to hear the b'ys put on a good show. Never been to a bad GBS show, actually, no matter where it was. Some I've enjoyed some shows more than others, some venues more than others, but the show is always deeply appreciated.

Here's to many more - that was my 55th!