| GBS at SOPAC |
| “This is Here and this is Now”, Alan spoke before the band launched into Here and Now, a new song from Fortune’s Favour that is a sure-fire audience favorite. The harmonies and instrumental accompaniments, along with Kris’s drum beats really make this song better live than on the CD, especially the vocals during the bridge. And the audience gets right into the song. It’s a real audience pleaser for sure. One of two “rock anthem” songs during the evening, it blew the audience way.
Then Alan introduced Bob and the rest of them left the stage. It took me a minute to realize that we were getting a Bob solo!!!!!! Good thing I was sitting down! He came right to Sean's mic, which was a little to the right of me, and began to tell us about life in Newfoundland when he was growing up, about 40 years ago. Bob shared that he had gone across the street for a salad today and it made him think about how there wasn’t any salad growing up in Newfoundland. “There wasn‘t a lot of Romaine lettuce lying around. In fact we ate the same thing every day it seemed – boiled vegetables. We would have a big meal on Sunday with roast beef or turkey and boiled vegetables. The day after we would have 'cold plate' which was salad-like because it had vegetables...and it was cold. (big laugh here from the audience) But it didn’t have the magic of a salad. On the third or fourth day, my mother would make colcannon, which was much better than salad or cold plate.” Even though he brought out a harmonica to get a good starting note, he started way too high and needed to begin again a few notes lower. I enjoyed the song and his pronunciations that are typically Newfoundland – “podaydo” for potato and “the more I t’ink about it” instead of “think.” He ended in a typically Newfoundland manner, speaking the last few words. I cannot believe how at ease Bob seemed on stage. When I think back to 1998 when I first saw them in concert, Bob looked like he was ready to run off the stage if anyone asked him to speak or sing a solo. Not anymore! Since Darrell left, he’s increasingly vocal on and off stage. I’m enjoying it immensely, let me tell you! Here's a lovely video taken by Michelle who was a few rows back from us. ">Bob |
| After Bob’s solo, Alan came running out with a 4-string guitar, speaking about “those poor Bobless bands. What do they do without Bob? They suck!” And saying to us, “We’d like you to show your appreciation for that last number by singing loudly along with us,” immediately starting in on the audience-friendly chorus of Company of Fools, “nah nah nahtinee yutinee, nah nah nahtinee yutinee, nah nah nahtinee yutinee, nahtinee yutinee dah.” The audience had no trouble picking it up and running with it. As with the other songs from the new album, many in the audience seemed to be able to sing along with the band on this one. At some point, Alan implored “Everybody up!” and the audience obliged him, of course. I must say, I don’t think I’ve ever seen Vic so animated during a GBS song! He was just clapping away! I stood back a little and just watched and grinned. It felt so good to see him able to let go like that. He was sooooo into the music and singing along. That put a big grin on my face! And the audience really went nuts for this song, too.
They went right into Run Runaway after that, barely stopping to catch a breath. A very spirited version with all the b’ys dancing away while they were playing. The bridge found everyone over on Bob’s side playing off each other’s energy. That closed the first half and the band marched off leaving the audience right where they wanted them, breathless and wanting more. This band has mastered the setlist, moving from high-energy to low, from rockers to ballads and sprinkling the mid-tempo songs throughout the set. But GBS always leaves you wanting more! During the intermission, a man named Steve came down and asked Vic if he had been to the NL Folk Festival in St. John’s this past year. As soon as he said that, it entered my mind that I bet he thought Vic was Don Shorock. And sure enough, Steve asked Vic if his name was Don. LOL! Don and I have followed each other all over for years now and I never know when we’ll see each other or in what country. And here was someone asking about him tonight! I thought it very funny. Steve was a summer visitor to Lower Island Cove as his wife was a Newfoundlander. We discussed the housing market in Newfoundland and how much the prices had gone up in the past few years. It’s almost out of reach for us now, unfortunately. And Steve and Vic chatted about TARGA, as Steve has several Corvettes he’d like to race up there, and Vic’s worked as Communications personnel for the race several years ago. The girl behind me had a Ships and Dip 2008 t-shirt on and I asked her if she had gone last year. Abby replied that she went as a BNL fan and was so glad that GBS was there. She became a new fan on the cruise. She knew all the words to most of the songs, too! We also chatted about the No Child Left Behind Act, of all things! She is a Special Ed teacher in Northern Jersey and has her hands full. After what semed like a long intermission, the lights began to dim, signaling the continuance of a very enjoyable evening of music from the GBS Kingdom. |
| Did you ever eat Colcannon, boys, with lovely pickled cream? And the greens and scallions mingled like a picture in a dream. Did you ever make a hole on top to hold the melting flake of that creamy, flavoured butter that your mother used to make? Oh you did, so you did, so did he and so did I. And the more I think about it sure the nearer I'm to cry. Oh, weren't them the happy days when troubles we knew not, and our mothers made Colcannon in the little skillet pot. Did you ever take potato cake and boxty off to school, Tucked underneath your oxford with your book, your slate and rule? And when teacher wasn't looking sure a great big bite you'd take, of that creamy flavoured butter that your mother used to make. Oh you did, so you did, so did he and so did I. And the more I think about it sure the nearer I'm to cry. Oh, weren't the happy days when troubles we knew not, and our mothers made Colcannon in the little skillet pot. Did you ever know a courting maid when the evening sun went down, and the moon began a-peeping from behind the Hill o'Down? Did you wander down the boreen where the leprechaun was seen, and did you whisper love and praises to your own dear sweet colleen ? Oh you did, so you did, so did she and so did I. And the more I think about it sure the nearer I'm to cry. Oh, wasn't it the happy days when troubles we had not, and our mothers made Colcannon in the little skillet pot. |
 |
| as found on Wikipedia |
 |