Jason's Milwaukee Review Uprooted July 2002
                One of the best things about traveling North America to see a Great Big Sea concert, is all the interesting stories you hear and venues you see along the way. I muse all the pleasant memories of the grassy knoll and the thousands of fans at the Edmonton Folk Fest, or dancing the entire night at Luther's Blues, the lively pub in Madison, and camping out on an air mattress with a picnic under the starts at the Ravinia festival near Chicago. But perhaps the two most recent concerts I've attended on this year's Uprooted tour have been the most inspiring and emotional. I attended the July 5 concert at South Street Seaport - just a few minute walk from what is now known as "Ground Zero" in New York City. Juxtaposed with that imagery was a bustling boardwalk full of happy people, tall, veteran, three-masted ships nestled in their piers, and a backdrop of proud skyscrapers separating the sea and the city, and the bright and pleasant July sky. How different indeed when 11 days later I would see the "same" concert 800 miles away in Milwaukee.

We arrived in Milwaukee on the evening of July 16 at an inconspicuous old converted church which was to be the site of tonight's show. The stone church - as impressive as any other built in cities across the country in the late 1800's - had been converted into the "Irish Cultural and Heritage Center," but one need not venture inside long before noticing the remnants of the building's former life. The massive organ pipes stood in the background beyond the pews - sanctuaries, converted into meeting rooms. We walked inside and grabbed a few pints of Murphy's Stout. Drinking in church, is that a sin?

Each band managed to quip a few witty remarks about the building, or singing in church. I was absolved of all my sins (for the second time) by Bishop McCann. [The last time was at the Ravinia concert almost exactly a year ago. He proceeded to offer up indulgences - and indulge us, Great Big Sea did with a wonderful concert of music.

When I said that this was "the same" concert as I had seen on the Uprooted tour less than two weeks earlier, that was a half-truth; the band order had changed. The Young Dubliners opened again, but this time Great Big Sea came on second with Seven Nations closing. Indeed I was surprised that at the beginning of the concert when they announced the bands, Seven Nations seemed to have more recognition from the fans. This seemingly small change in the lineup would have a notable impact as the events unfolded that night.

The Young Dubliners did a good job at warming up the crowd. Their combination of electric rock and Irish traditional is gradually growing on me. I had met a Canadian/American woman and her daughter who had driven up from Chicago to see the concert - they were sitting in the pew behind us as we swapped stories and favorite songs. Next to me sat some brand new Great Big Sea fans: Erika and Greg. I had turned them on to GBS music only a few weeks ago and they were really eager to hear them live.

During the first break while they were changing the equipment on the stage, several of us went outside to get some air (and some to get food at the Taco Bell across the street). I walked around to the side entrance of the church to see what merchandise was for sale. I actually got to have a nice semi-private conversation with Chas Waltz, the Fiddler from the 'Dubs as he was relaxing against the wall outside following his set. Chas was very charismatic on the stage, and plays a pretty mean fiddle. But he was a genuinely nice guy, and offered several stories and a behind-the-scenes perspective on the tour.

Back inside it was GBS time again. Their set was a bit shorter - due presumably to the fact that they weren't the closing band. Most of the set was pretty standard and went along with what I have read from other concert reviews. Missing though were a few songs from the Sea of No Cares album that I had heard at previous concerts such as "French Perfume" and "Clearest Indication." It seemed like the band members were having a little difficulty hearing each other because there were a few minor vocal struggles on General Taylor and Donkey Riding - then again on Jock Stewart when all of the bands sang at the end. That aside, the concert was a blast as usual. Bob and Sean were both sporting much shorter hair than most people are used to - and Sean is allowing his sideburns to grow down a bit more. Bob was wearing a very unique black shirt with two wide vertical stripes running down from each shoulder. On the wide stripe on his right was a cartoonish drawing of a naked brunette with reddish flames coming out all around her, and on his left was a blonde (angel?) with blue clouds abound.

After their set it was hot in the church, and again it was time to go outside for air. Lots of people waited around the GBS bus, but no one came out at that time. Seven Nations started and everyone filed back inside. Nothing against the band, but the volume was uncomfortably loud. I actually left the concert for a few minutes. Outside I found Alan and Darrell signing autographs. I had them both sign my Sea of No Cares CD. Alan drew a smiley-face portrait. I talked to Alan about how I had the same model Takamine guitar as he had - although admittedly with a few hundred thousand less miles. He told me about how the guitar's neck had been broken twice so far. Darrell was amazingly friendly. He shared the story of how they managed to show up a day late to the Edmonton Folk Fest, due to flight problems.

I went back inside for the remainder of the 7N set. The song "All You People" is really incredible, and I highly recommend their "Pictou Sessions" CD. After the concert, a few of my friends ate at a diner about a block away, and then walked back to my car which was parked another block away. We passed by the tour buses - and with the crowd now gone, several members of the bands were sitting out on the front lawn, and kicking back a beer or two. Bob was the only GBS member outside, he was relaxing quietly listening to a story that the 7N guitarist was telling. I didn't want to interrupt or ogle, so we just said goodbye.

So be easy and free when you're drinking with me. I'm a man you don't meet everyday.