GBS at the Molson Amphitheatre (cont'd)
Ordinary Day was the opening song.  – How I love that song! The SOS in the beginning just heightens the anticipation of their coming and makes you want to clap harder, scream louder and dance livelier.

Donkey Riding immediately followed – two of my faves in a row!

When I’m Up was next and the audience was in full voice for this one.

SoNC sounded very different with 10,000 people singing along. I was totally taken in and lifted up by it. Almost an out-of-body experience. It was awe-inspiring. I’ll have that audio memory for a long time.

Then they took a pause and Alan chatted with the audience a bit. He said he was happy to be playing before 10,000 people on the 1st day of Summer. And since you didn’t know how many summers you’d be given to celebrate, you should enjoy the ones you have and join them in the biggest kitchen party in Toronto. Gee, guess which song THAT was the intro for – Goin’ Up, of course.
Clearest Indication followed and what a lovely whistle part Bob played. Kris had a neat drum intro for it too. Bob’s whistle just came out so loud and clear – the best version I have heard since he played the fiddle for that part at the South Street Seaport last summer.

After Clearest Indication, and Bob’s little extra oomph on the whistle at the end, Alan introduced us to the sexy Sean McCann and entreated us to yell, “We love you Sean.” Which of course we did. Then Sean came back with “Everybody yell, ‘Kill, kill, kill!’” and launched right into Paddy Murphy.  Sean just played with the audience during this song and sang his heart out, putting extra little flourishes here and there. I can’t say enough how wonderful every one of the b’ys was on that stage. Bob’s smiles and big arm movements, Sean’s dancing, Alan’s rock star moves, Murray’s forays around the stage – all kept us glued to the happenings up there.

“From an album which you made #1 in Canada, and we thank you so much for that, comes a folk song from Fogo Island, where it’s common to envy your neighbor’s boat.” Cue much laughter from the audience and a smirk from Sean.  A great rendition of Gideon Brown.

Penelope came next and I don’t know what was wrong with it or how it was different that I’d heard it before. But I just didn’t enjoy it at all. I usually LOVE this song live but for some reason, it was just – different. * shrugs*

Beat the Drum was a very nice rendition of Runrig’s “Pride of the Summer” They changed the verses a little – I like this version a lot. So appropriate for the first day of summer too.

At this point, Alan decided to show everyone the two signs that were being shown to him in the GA section. One was a hockey one – I have no clue here as I am a hockey idiot. But the other one said “TOPS ARE OPTIONAL IN GRAND BEACH”  and when he turned it over it said on the other side – SEE YA THERE!” Alan had great fun with that, saying about needing to arrange to play in Grand Beach. Great segue for…
I’m A Rover! I absolutely adore this song and haven’t heard it in a while. It just is great live.

General Taylor came next with one of the best GT’s I have heard yet. Murray was in wonderful voice. It was the first time I could hear Murray’s bass clearly. OMG! He was incredible. Sean played with his voice and just put this version over the top. And then there was the 10,000 people singing along with him. Another lasting audio memory.

Tunez came next with an extremely short but very lively fiddle tune from Bob. I wish he’d tack on another one here and make it longer. Sean had fun banging Kris’ cymbals with his whistle. Sean played whistle for it. He played whistle a lot this evening. I like it when Sean whistles!

OK – they played another song here which everyone but me seemed to know. I have no idea what it was, but Sean danced all around and everyone in the band seemed to have a great time with it. Run, Runaway was tacked on to this song and it was a great version. Murray’s bass work on this song was amazing – his fingers were fairly flying around the fret board! Wow!  He’s really comfortable now with the songs, it seems. Somewhere in the course of the night, Alan introduced Murray as “the newest member of the GBS family.” I thought that was nice.

Everything Shines came next. It’s funny. When I hear the Pushstars do this song, I said to Karen how it sounded like a GBS song. But then when GBS played it, I didn’t particularly like it. Still don’t like their version of it.

Scolding Wife - Alan was cute. He sang his verse and then went over to Bob and was doing hand motions to the words. Bob’s verse ended with Alan hitting him on the head and Bob making a slit-my-throat motion. Alan was sleeping on Murray’s shoulder for his verse. Sean wasn’t bothered by Alan but I guess it makes up for Windsor when Sean made a slightly off-color motion to the “Grabbed me by the middle” part. LOL!  Sean had a grand time during the instrumental part, up on the drum podium with Kris.