My Chemical Romance - December 18, 2010, The Sound Academy, Toronto

I love this band.  I didn't want to... They were loud, and gruff, and hollery at times, are occasionally overly dramatic, and (unfairly?) labelled as emo, and not at all something I was open to a few years ago before I rediscovered in a big way my love of all things music...but they grew on me and became one of my favorites.  The Black Parade is an album I can honestly say I can put on and listen to start to finish anytime, and would be one of my top 10 desert island selections.  And going back to previous albums there is a lot of auditory sweetness to be gained off of "Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge".  They are a band that I put on a lot for my commute to and from work on public transportation.... they give me attitude when they are pumping through my head...a "I'm not moving, so you better" face when navigating the hoards of commuters.  Extremely effective and highly enjoyable. So what I'm trying to say, is I'm a real fan of the band, and they've been on my list to see live for a few years now.  I had picked up the new album on release day, and while it went in a bit of a different direction (that is growing on me more with each listen), the experimentation with some different genres is a big success in my mind and I feel a lot of influences in it.  The boys rock.  Plain and simple.  I don't know how to break it down any further than that.

I grabbed tickets to their show at the Sound Academy as soon as I found out about it on presale.  Was a new venue for us....something that makes me a little nervous.  (I'm not good with new.... I like to know what I'm dealing with when heading out to a show and there is a real strategy in our physical placement for the night so we can both see the band, yet not be in the thick of the crowd).  It's a large rectangle of a room, so the fear of being thrown around in a mosh pit was pretty high....lets face it, I'm way beyond an age where being trampled at a live show is something I slough off as "no big deal."  Luckily, however, The Sound Academy offers a VIP section for an extra few shekels, so I ponied up and upgraded our tickets and it was the smartest move I've made concert wise all year.  VIP entitles you to separate entrance (no line waiting), lounge with private bar, private bathrooms (no violins, C., but the thought did make me laugh, as initially thought), and the icing on the cake, separate VIP viewing area that consisted of what resembled a slightly raised wooden porch just to the side of the stage where Jak and I staked out a rail side spot with perfect view and enough elevation for our vertically challenged selves to be able to have a direct eyeline over the heads of the mob.  What was going on over the rail was madness - security was rescuing people who couldn't endure the crushing heat and Anaconda like death squeeze of the mob at an alarming rate.  Suffice it to say, unless I'm feeling suicidal, I will never see a show at Sound Academy if we can't get VIP tickets.  Well worth the extra cash to be able to say that my organs have not been ground into dust by a mob of rabid music fans (aka, the MCRmy) pumped up on the adrenaline of witnessing their favorite band perform and sardined together in a dark cramped space.

...but don't get me wrong....our elevated (purchased) social stature for the evening did NOT make us boring and reserved.  My body aches today from the jumping and fist pumping.  We rocked it...just in a bit more comfort!

The Show:

The Opening band was a local alt rock group called "Dearly Beloved".  Looking at their site (click on name for link) today, I know it's the same band, but the video they have up is not at all representative of what we saw.  They were a little more punked up and frantic last night and their energy was fantastic.  I liked them...the music was amazing...the only complaint I have is that the tunes they did play didn't have a lot of vocals, and I wanted to hear more, especially from the female singer.  She was enjoyable.  They knew their audience demographic though....at one point they did a cover of the Sonics (explained that they were a "really, really old band") and asked us if any of us knew who Captain Beefheart was (admitting I did amongst all the blank twentysomething faces would have outed my attempt at camouflaging my advanced age by my choice of outfit of graphic T, skinny jeans and Converse All-Stars.  It's times like these that Jak and I at times feel out of place at live shows, since "really, really old" is all relative to what your age actually is).  Anyway, the band felt more of a modern punk flavor than alt-rock to me.  Liked them.

After a brief intermission, MCR hit the stage full tilt with their new single Na Na Na and the audience went apeshit.  When Gerard screamed the lyric "Shut up and let me see your jazz hands"....the entire crowd put them in the air and waived them obediently.  Great starter, high energy and sounded fantastic live.  Followed up with an even higher energy Thank You For the Venom, that set up and kept the rock show vibe going for their almost hour and a half set.  There was a great mix of favorites from their last 3 albums and you could tell the entire crowd were die hard fans as it was a giant fist pumping sing-a-long for the entire show.

Having never seen MCR live, and only having viewed performance video, I expected it to be a bit more flawed, but am happy to report that while in raw form, it was still sensational.  Props to the boys' talent and being able to deliver in person.  Youtube didn't do them justice.  (and reviewing video already posted today from last night's show, can further vouch for that...you had to be there to appreciate).  They put on a great show, that was also great visually.  The venue was minimalist...they had very little as far as set (couple flags put up in the back), but the band itself was all we needed to look at - Gerard worked us up headbanging his new electric red locks while vocally blowing us away, Frank oozed cool on guitar, Mikey quietly but with presence worked his Bass and Ray blew us away with his blistering guitar slinging.  (He has become my new favorite band member...the man can PLAY!).

I can't quite bring myself to choose a favorite tune of the night.  If I had to pick, it would probably be a 4-way tie between their Dylan cover of Desolation Row, their blistering rendition of Thank You For the Venom, their inspirational new tune SING, and their closing of the show with the heartbreakingly beautiful Cancer.  Every song was kick ass (and as evidence from my aching calves today due to jumping in unison with the crowd), infused my being and took me over.  It was a sweaty, loud, in your face, raw, possess your mind and take over your body hard rock extravaganza.  I only wish they played for longer, but that was my vantage point from my "safer" spot on the VIP porch.  Perhaps my floor counterparts were rocked and beaten and bruised enough for one evening....but I would say that even they, as beaten up as they were, would have gladly accepted more abuse in return for the opportunity to worship the band further.

Great show, and great ending to the 2010 concert season.  Last week, I was on the fence about getting tickets to their gig in April of 2011 at the Kool Haus when they return to Toronto.  I'm thinking now that it will be a necessity.

Set List:

1.Look Alive, Sunshine (intro)

2.Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na)
3.Thank You For The Venom
4.Planetary (GO!)
5.I'm Not Okay (I Promise)
6.SING
7.House Of Wolves
8.Desolation Row (Bob Dylan cover for the Watchmen soundtrack)
9.Mama
10.The Kids From Yesterday
11.Teenagers
12.The Only Hope For Me Is You
13.Helena
14.The Ghost Of You
15.Famous Last Words
16.Cancer

Encore:
17.Vampire Money

Jory Nash w Jason Fowler - Hugh's Room, Toronto, October 29, 2010

Heading out to this show, a co-worker asked who Jakki and I were going to see THIS time.  When we told him, we got an interesting response...."You're just making people up now, aren't you!"



Nope! 

Jory Nash is real.  Real in the best possible sense actually.  He tours extensively across Canada, to smaller more intimate type venues and plays a lot of festivals.  He is regularly featured on CBC radio.  He writes, he sings, he plays a variety of instruments and has a folksy, bluesy, soulful type vibe.  He has released 6 albums since 1998.  He is a homegrown talent, that appears to be in it to make music as an expression of who he is, and shares it with his loyal following because he wants to, and not to cash in.  He was greeting people at the door of Hugh's room pre-show when we arrived like a real, everyday guy who just happened to be hosting a party.  Real is good.  Really, really good.



Jory, Me (post show)

 Have been waiting to see him live for a while now, ever since he was recommended to me, and I subsequently checked him out, loved him, and acquired a few of his CDs off of the Maple Music site. ( http://www.maplemusic.com/dept.asp?dept_id=2561)   (I don't listen to any radio, so he never would have popped up on my radar without the recommend, so it was a happy discovery).  Hugh's Room was also a venue I'd been wanting to check out - it's kind of a cool place.  Small, intimate, with tables set up in the front room so you can dine pre-show and then keep your "spot" for the performance, and a back bar room where you can hang out and watch if you don't have a reserved table.  Only problem was, in order to claim our reserved table, we had to arrive at 6pm... more than ample time for Jakki and I to consume far too many adult beverages before the show even got going.  Hmmmm.

When the show started, we settled in to the mellow, laid back atmosphere.  Jory, along with Jason Fowler, hit the stage and did what they do....launched into some soul grabbing tunes and entertained us to the hilt.  Jason Fowler I didn't know going in.  Also a singer songwriter, he is best known as an accomplished session guitarist and producer.  He was great and did some solo stuff, but it was Jory's tunes I was there to drink in live, so going to focus on him here.

When I listen to Jory, it's like sitting down with a trusted confidante, over a beer(s), and trading broken heart stories where you know the other person knows EXACTLY where you are coming from.  And song after song, you keep sharing together in a bubble of understanding until the bar closes and they boot you out (and you make your way home with his stuff on your ipod, or in keeping with my analogy, continue to talk about it on the "all night rocket" trip home).  THAT is how I feel when I listen to him, and really, who doesn't want to have a conversation with someone who "gets" you to that extent?

His stuff has a brutal honesty to it.  I like that.  And he embraces the truth that is in sadness without being dark about it.  As so eloquently put in my two favorite liner note descriptive blurbs for two of my favorite songs: Oh Baby Call ("We can be such liars when it comes to love") and Careful How you Break My Heart ("Sad is the new Happy"):  You can connect with the honesty in the pain expressed, but there is no wallowing in it.  It is what it is, but life goes on. 

And in the midst of all that soul deepness, there are some high energy songs of the folk variety, some fantastic covers...and he's funny too.  He had the audience howling with his retelling of his experience trying to get his coffee at McDonald's, while being environmentally friendly and requesting they fill his reusable mug rather than the provided styrofoam.  ("Sir, we can't accommodate reusable mugs).  I could not do the story justice by retelling in full, but suffice it to say, anytime you hit a McDonald's, please insist on using your own mug...I will for sure going forward!  Trust me....it's a matter of principle now.

Jakki and I are in agreement that our favorite tunes of the night were when he took to the piano.  Day of show, I usually listen to who we are going to see and decide on a particular song I want to hear.  When he started talking about his insomnia, I knew he was about to play my pick.... "The Nighthawk"...pure goodness.  Thanks Jory, for playing "my song". 

This particular show blog almost didn't happen because there was just so much going on that night, that I was a little distracted.  Under normal circumstances, we go, we chat, we have a few drinks, but when the music starts in, we are essentially solo and paying strict attention to what is happening on stage.  For this show, we went, we chatted, we ate, we drank, we made friends with the tables on either side of us (and in booze fueled friendliness, offered to erect fences at Mariposa this summer to the family sitting beside us who volunteer every year, and wrote down names of artists for the table on the other side that they "need to check out"...wonder if they did?!).    In addition, a friend I've been in touch with frequently, but whom I haven't laid eyes on in 20 years showed up.  Chatted with him for a bit at the bar before heading back to my seat (and pretty sure I shushed him a couple of times when a song I loved came up, but being a fellow music lover and the person who had brought Jory to my attention in the first place, he happily complied).  Was torn between really wanting to chat and catch up, having left my most excellent date Jakki back at the table, and of course, the reason I was there, which was to enjoy the show.  So needless to say the evening was a little disjointed. 

But all in all, was fantastic.  Have discovered that my musical preference, consisting of a very wide range of genres, has that one common characteristic for the most part...empathy.  If I can connect emotionally with what the music is saying, whether it be mournful ballad or mindblowingly heavy rock, I'm in.  I thank Jory Nash for sharing....  will be watching for his next appearance in T.O., where he and I can have another deep soulful conversation through his music. 

Jory's Website

Jory's myspace

Jimmy Eat World - October 17, 2010, Kool Haus, Toronto

Okay...so I knew who these guys were when they were recommended to me by my blog inspiring music buddy....or at least I thought I did.  And you know them too...(or at least you think you do...) If you don't know the song "The Middle", you've clearly just woken up from a coma.  Since it's release in 2001 I believe I've heard it on approximately 80% of movie trailers I've ever seen in the past 9 years.  (OK...that might be a wee bit of an exaggeration, but seems it's used a whole lot.)  That one, as well as some of their more popular radio friendly tunes was what my perception of the band was before I was given all studio albums, as well as more demo, live and unreleased material by the band than you can shake a stick at, and dove into it.  And what I discovered, was that the band almost has a split personality....they have their radio friendly stuff, which is good (usually a couple off each album...fun, upbeat...power poppy)...and then there is the stuff that I really, really, REALLY dig.  Little edgier, but still melodic, with great musical composition and stellar use of harmonies you don't normally find in a rock band these days.  When it was announced they were coming through Toronto to the Kool Haus (a venue I'm sort of really not a fan of, by the way), I bought tickets.  I really wanted to give them the "live" test.  Figured I'd hit the show by myself if I couldn't find someone to drag along with me (and turns out Jakki, my concert buddy, was up for it after many hilarious renditions of "what are they called again?") 

Off to the Kool Haus we went....on a Sunday night!  Pure wildness!  Once we got past security (a story in itself) and into the venue, we managed to find a sweet spot along the side by the bar where we were not (a) in the midst of the mosh pit and (b) able to see the stage regardless of our vertical challengedness.  Life was good!

From the second they hit the stage, until they threw pics and drumsticks into the audience and said goodnight, I was in....and so were they.  When listening to some of the live recorded stuff prior to the show, I was a bit apprehensive, because it was all a little raw....  But man, raw is good, when you are in the thick of it.  It was loud and unpolished and the vocals were flawed...but it was real, and so what I was looking for.  YES!  The boys ripped it up and gave us a rock show and this is what live music is supposed to be. 

There was a good mix from all of their albums, and the fave tune of the night was a tie....Futures, a song I never really had any particular attachment to, performed live, was amazing and has become a new favorite, and when they slowed it down for Hear You Me, I felt a real emotional connection.   But the live performance of 23 was epic.  This is a tune meant to be heard live.


Would have liked to have heard a few more of my favorites off the new album (Cut, and Littlething), but have a new appreciation for the tunes they did play from it:  their first single, "My Best Theory", that I was not overly fussy for was meant to be heard live and a little rougher around the edges, and Movielike, a tune I immediately enjoyed, was first rate.

You'll note the absence of (decent) photos...Kool Haus is a venue that doesn't allow cameras at all so people were getting by with their cell phones for any captures.  I really like that the band has been pretty vocal to the venues about allowing the fans to snap and record, and at one point, Jim even jumped into the audience to get a photo taken with a fan.  The band in turn takes photos of their audience for each show (Toronto's is attached here in this Link).  They don't take themselves too seriously and understand that any media that is captured by the fans is good promotion for them.  In this day and age in the music business, fan appreciation is key.

This year, I've seen a number of really big stadium shows, and a number of really intimate ones as well, but this was probably one of my favorites as it was just a stripped down, warehouse, play the music in it's rawest form jamfests.  Fantastic show by the boys and my fan status has been permanently cemented. 
Set List:

Bleed American
Your New Aesthetic
A Praise Chorus
My Best Theory
Lucky Denver Mint
Let It Happen
For Me This Is Heaven
Futures
Big Casino
Action Needs an Audience
Dizzy
Coffee and Cigarettes
Movielike
Hear You Me
Evidence
Work
The Authority Song
Pain
Blister
Goodbye Sky Harbor

Encore:

23
Get It Faster
The Middle
Sweetness

23, first song of the encore.  Can you hear me singing?  :-)

Brandi Carlile - October 6, 2010, Koerner Hall, Toronto

Brandi Carlile was a "recommend" to me by a fellow music fan early last year and she has become one of my very favorite artists.  I admit, I was skeptical, at first.  I tend to not enjoy "chick singers", because in large part, they lack substance (too much emphasis on the "presentation" as opposed to the "musicianship"), and her name alone invokes images of bubble gum pop, but rest assured, she is the real deal.  She can be classified as multi-genre and could be described as folk,  a wee bit country or rock (or more accurately, a combination thereof), but possesses an overwhelming sense of artistic integrity and raw talent.  She is, in a word, legitimate.  If you don't know her, well...you are missing out.


Sitting in my front row seat....
TOUCHING the stage!!!!  Awesome!

 I had the opportunity last year to see her at the Mod Club and she was beyond fantastic.  So when her fan club announced that she was returning to Toronto, I was all over it.  Was very curious about the venue as well - Koerner Hall, in the Royal Conservatory of Music...swanky!!  Jakki and I managed to snag front row tickets even!

The opening act:

The opening act was Luke McMaster.  Do you remember a (Canadian) pop band from about a decade ago called McMaster and James?  (sheepishly admit that yes, yes, I do).  Well Luke McMaster was (obviously), the McMaster part of the duo.  He was pretty good, I guess.  Would classify him in the "singer-songwriter" genre - had an acoustic guitarist and backup vocalist to accompany him.  I guess the only problem I had with him was that he was a little, um, earnest.  A wee bit sweetly schmaltzy.  A talented, guy...sings, writes, plays...but not really my thing.  I have discovered recently that the majority of my mellow, ballad type songs on my ipod (like 99.9% of them), are of the broken hearted, stomped on, feel like your guts are being ripped out variety rather than the ain't love grand variety, so I acknowledge that it could just be me and my musical attitude preference.....C'mon...it's a well known fact...some of the best art was created in the midst of working through deep pain!





pic from her Mod Club show...
Koerner Hall didn't allow cameras

 Brandi!

Perhaps as an homage to the venue, Josh walked on stage alone and took his seat at his cello opening the show with a solo.  Then the rest of the band joined him.  Brandi, the twins (guitarist Tim, and bassist Phil), and drummer Allison, along with cellist Josh, proceeded to entertain the shit out of us all.  No light show, no wardrobe changes, no dance moves, just stripped down, all about the music goodness.

I don't even know how long the show was.  (other than "not long enough").   We had a great variety....they pulled out the electric guitars and rocked the joint (not entirely sure the venue was prepared for that....my chair was literally shaking!), pulled back and went acoustic ("I Will", one of my favorites of hers and my favorite moment of the night, she sat on a stool and picked it out on guitar, singing with eyes closed), and even did a couple of unplugged numbers, at the lip of the stage, no mic, using the natural acoustics of the venue and the strength of Brandi's voice to belt out the song.  (see below for video of "Dying Day")

At one point, she even put it out to the audience to pick the next tune.  People shouted out requests, and we voted by applause on what she played next.  One of my fave tunes off "the Story" album, a hidden track, won the applause-o-meter and it was a great pleasure to hear "Hiding My Heart Away" performed live.  UN-freakin'-real.

One more moment needs to be mentioned (there are so many, to give a play by play would go on forever)....

The band left the stage and she sat on a stool with her guitar and strummed a bit, explaining that this is the point on the written set list where it just says "me", where the band leaves the stage, and she decides on the spur of the moment, depending on how she's feeling, what song she's going to do as a solo.  Well didn't she launch into Patsy Cline's "Crazy".  What a great moment....I think Ms. Cline would have been proud.  I know it gave me the chills. 

Here's the thing with a Brandi Carlile live show....you hear her recorded stuff and think "holy shit she's good", but performed live it's on a whole other level that doesn't even compare. The music just flows out of her and she has a vocal range that is pure and effortless.  (Her register is impressive, but she doesn't hit notes for the sake of display, it's pure and organic and flows naturally.  Just because a singer "can" hit those notes, doesn't mean that they "should" (Mariah Carey, I'm looking at you, ugh!)).  Brandi opens her mouth and it is just natural, skin humming, reverberate to your soul magic. Whether it be quiet beauty on some of her softer stuff, or belt out grrrrowl on the rockier tunes, it's balls out raw, feel it in your bones talent. And while a lot of her stuff tends towards the aforementioned heartbroken, working through some pain vibe, you know to watch her perform it, even when in the moment, that she's not tortured, she's having the time of her life....clearly the songwriting was her catharsis (and this is how I choose to justify my preference of the deep vs. the light and fluffy thankyouverymuch!).  Her and her wonderful band (love them all), really adore each other, have a great rapport on stage, seem to be enjoying life to the hilt and love what they do, and it translates to one giant freakin' love fest between band and audience. 

And even in the rather reserved venue built for a symphony type audience, when she exclaimed "and this is a song by the late, great, Johnny Cash" and launched into the rockingest version of Folsom Prison Blues ever, people couldn't help but get out of their cushy seats and finally, let it take them over.  Awesome.  Can't wait to see her again.

Dying Day - one of the 2 songs they did completely unplugged....

Ray LaMontagne and David Gray - August 27, 2010, Molson Canadian Amphitheatre, Toronto

Disclaimer:  This is a lengthy post.  Brevity is not my strong suit....nor is "tact", apparently...

Ray LaMontagne and the Pariah Dogs

I discovered Ray LaMontagne quite by accident.  Was searching Damien Rice stuff on you tube one day, found a clip of him singing "To Love Somebody" with Ray, and wondered how in the reign of F&*k he had never crossed my radar before.  I love Damien (have a *thing* for sad Irishmen), but Ray made him sound like a pussy.  Looked into more of Ray's stuff and was blown away.  He's become one of my favorites of all time due to his amazing vocal quality and his story telling ability....I feel him when he sings.  He talks to the soul.  I recommend seeking out the clip to see what I mean.  Ray's talent is effortless, but powerful.  He's sincere, in a sea of artists that are not.  Love him.

David Gray, I had never really cared for a whole lot - he was okay....but he didn't affect me on an emotional level really.  I used to have a friend who I'd talk to frequently about music who recommended the latest album to me (Draw the Line).  Said he didn't know where Gray had been hiding all this material, but it was great and I needed to check it out.  Taking his word for it, I downloaded it and had to agree - it was full of rich lyrical content....really great stuff.  Felt this one.  Wanted to see it performed live but missed the boat on the Massey Hall show when he was in town.

So I was incredibly pleased when it was announced that they were going to tour together.  How lucky was I?!  Getting two great artists in one show!  This show closed off our summer concert season and we were really looking forward to it as a mellow and soul nourishing experience.  It was a nice way to end things off and we hit the amphitheatre in total zen mode expecting to leave the show in a total state of relaxed nirvana.

Mmmm hmmm.  This is gonna get a wee bit ranty, so....buckle up!

Serena Ryder

We arrived at the Amphitheatre just beaming.  There was very little of the regular chaos that is usually associated with a live show (keep in mind the last show we saw at this venue was Green Day...chaos was expected, and we assimilated into it), we entered without incident (cursory look in the purse, but no pat down) and were not mowed down with drunken teenagers.  We were thinking "this is great - we are going to have a very civilized evening of music amongst adults!  Awesome!"

Found our seats just as Serena Ryder, the opening act was starting.  She was actually really good....good enough I plan to check her out further.  She has an incredibly strong voice - more so than most female artists I know of, and her stuff is appealing - singer songwriter from the guts type stuff. 

Ray LaMontagne

When Ray arrived on stage, it was like magic.  He and his band launched into "Repo Man" off the new album, and we were immediately immersed in his fantastically velvety with hint of rasp voice to the tune of his jazzy band the Pariah Dogs.  It was just something you feel coursing through your body....amazing.  Ray's stage presence has improved since we saw him last year.  He's a little less scared rabbit.  Still doesn't move, still doesn't chat a whole lot, but he isn't ducking the lights when they hit him and he seems to have at least gained a bit of comfort in his own skin.  Jakki figures he's also taken some fashion tips from David Gray (always dapper).  He was decked out not in his normal homeless wardrobe of checked shirt and jeans (with mussed hair), but pants, vest and hat, beard trimmed and looking shiny.  Ray was ON.  Ray ran through a number of songs off the new album, with a mix of old favorites ("Trouble" and "Let it Be Me" among them) and I felt the chills I associate with musical goodness that has reached me on a deeper level immediately.  I was having a spiritual experience....worshiping at the alter of Ray.  As per the clever home made T-shirts of two ladies in front of us who stood and danced the entire set...."Ray is My Religion".  Amen girls.  Where do I tithe?

But in the middle of all that goodness, there was a nagging distraction. 

With Ray coming on so early due to the double bill, it was still light.  People were still arriving (oblivious to Ray, I suppose, and there to see David Gray who likely has a bigger following).  And with the outdoor venue, it was a free for all - people were chatting, disturbing those seated and trying to watch the performance by coming and going with handfuls of food (ah....nothing says soulful musical experience like a box full of chicken fingers and popcorn).  And then there were the people around me, and more specifically, directly beside me.  This couple was engaged in a full on conversation, facing each other and not the stage.  Laughing and chatting as if they were sitting in their living room.  Because they were right beside me, they were directly in my ear, and obliviously loud enough that I could hear every word of the conversation.  I found myself losing my spiritual connection and becoming more and more enraged.  And then I hear:  "Lindsay Lohan got out of jail I wonder what this is going to do to her career".  Are you fucking kidding me?  I lost it.  Admittedly, it could have been handled better, and I could have been a little more restrained, but I was so incensed that these people assumed that just because they weren't into the performance they were living in a plastic bubble, with no consideration for the artist on stage or the people who paid to see him play.  I leaned over and said, rather sarcastically "So...do you talk through a movie at the theatre too?!".  The guy replies with "oh, we were just discussing Lindsay Lohan" and I, incredulous, say "I KNOW, and I don't care....please stop talking".  They were quite offended and said I didn't have to be so rude (apparently lacking awareness of their intense rudeness that prompted me).  I suppose they are right....after all, two rudes don't make a right.   but fawk!  And they weren't the only ones.  At one point Ray said to the audience "this is a new song, and it's kind of quiet, so I'm hoping we can work together and all be quiet together for the next 4 minutes".  Buddy beside me hollers "at least HE said it with tact".  Touché dumbass, but the fact that he had to say it at all is shameful, and tact has never been my strong suit.  I can live with that.  Tracy and I were talking last week about what superpower we'd like to have and I had initially chosen the power to smite people with my gaze.  She vetoed it....said I wouldn't be able to use it responsibly.  I agreed, and it's a good thing really, if I possessed this power, there would have been piles of ash in various chairs through the theatre.  Here's my thing.  Not into the opening band and waiting on what interests you?  Either sit respectfully or hit the tables in the waiting area.  This wasn't a bar where you can expect a degree of "stuff" going on around you - it was a assigned seating in a theatre for not a heavy metal band, but a folksy singer songwriter act.  Back to my "spiritual connection" analogy.....would you chit chat in church while the sermon was going on? (and eat nachos and traipse back and forth through the aisles disturbing the other worshipers and generally act like an asshole?).  I think not.  Well music is my religion, so have a little respect.

Regardless, Ray was fantastic.  Listened to his new album again today and it was appreciated on a whole new level having heard it live last night.  He's brilliant and a true talent, and if you don't know him, you're missing out. 

David Gray

Act Two....Stage:  David Gray, Audience:  Can someone please page Child Protection Services?

David Gray hit the stage at around 9:15pm, and things were slightly better- the majority of the audience was there to see him, so were not selfishly acting like animals throughout his performance and were actually paying attention.  I thought his set was great.  He played a lot of songs off the album that hooked me initially, and a few more hits that I recognized and enjoyed.  He was good.  Even with the cold or virus that he mentioned was affecting his vocal chords, his voice was friggin' awesome.  I can honestly say that his performance was flawless.....however....He was very polished and professional.  Is that a bad thing?  Hell no, but it lacked the emotional connection that I made with Ray.  Ray's voice cuts through to your core with it's emotion, while David's cool professionalism left me feeling a little lacking.  With Ray, the pain of the song's meaning slices through you, with David, while I love the songs and their meaning, he may as well have been talking about peanut butter sandwiches.  I felt no personal connection to him.  He was fantastic, don't get me wrong, but I didn't feel I was having a spiritual experience.  The only personality characteristic I was able to see (and found strangely enjoyable) was the way he moved.  David Gray lets his music flow through him and it manifests in very spastic movements.  You know....I liked that he was feeling it and letting it take over his body.  Respect dude, even though it was a little freaky looking.

Was somewhat disappointed that he played my favorite song of his for the encore, but mucked with it.  Nemesis is a great song.  I connect with it on an emotional level.  It means something to me.  But he extended it in the middle and messed with the structure of it to a point where he lost me.  What can you do?  That's artistic license for you.

While all this is going on, there was a family of 4 in front of us that were a tad distracting.  A Mom, Dad, a boy and a girl.  Kids were teenaged, I think.  Old enough that what was going on was a little disturbing to say the least.  The Dad came in and immediately gave the daughter a hug.  Then they sat, him with his arm around her and her with her head on his shoulder.  Then she was sort of....nuzzling her head against his chest.  And he was rubbing his hands up and down her arm....there just wasn't enough "ick" to accurately describe what was happening here.  Jakki and I kept looking at each other with a "eeek" expression.  The whole family very much resembled John Lithgow's serial killer and fam from Dexter.  But at least they were quiet....although the Dad danced like a Muppet.....Sigh....

During their tour, it had become custom for Ray to come back out after David's encore and they would perform the Beatles' "Dig a Pony" together as a finale.  How awesome, really, would that have been?! I was looking forward to it.....but he didn't for our show.  David Gray did his encore and the lights went up.  But who could blame him really for not wanting to come back out after the lack of appreciation that was shown to him during his set. Shame on you Toronto.  Ray, come back to Massey Hall so we can take the opportunity to make amends.  And perhaps you should employ David Gray as your security....after all, it was him, last year, who stopped mid song to tell off a fan who was fielding a cell phone call in the audience.  He may be a good friend to have!  (check it out on You Tube...it's awesome!).  So....in conclusion (yes, finally!), Ray and David = good.  Audience = not so much.

Tom Petty - August 25, 2010, ACC, Toronto (with special guests, Crosby, Stills & Nash)

Tom Petty was someone I've always wanted to see live - and finally got the opportunity last night.  He's one of those mainstays....  always good and always enjoyable to listen to.  Full Moon Fever was my intro to Petty back in the 80's, and is a great (Maritime kitchen) party album.  Remember vividly sitting around in an apartment in Fenwick in Halifax and the entire room bellowing "Free Fallin'".... a definite nostalgia song even though it wouldn't be my favorite of his.  The man just radiates laid back cool rock n' roll.  I had no idea just how accurate this was before witnessing him live....

The "opening band" for the evening was Crosby, Stills & Nash and I need to devote a little time to them, more so than I ever have to an opening band in one of my blogs.

Why?

Crosby, Stills & Nash are not an opening band. 

The boys hit the stage and proceeded to school the audience, consisting of a multitude of generational representation, on what true musicianship really is with their brand of 60's hippie granola rock that was awe inspiring on just so many levels.  They sure as hell didn't look like rock stars....Crosby sported a belly Santa would envy in addition to the trademark long white hair with balding pate, Nash swayed across the stage in bare feet, and Stills ripped up the guitar with blistering intensity from his spot in the corner.  But man, they still have it.  Ranging in age from 65 to 69 they possessed the power to own the audience, and that is a true testament to their talent.  I have never witnessed an opening band play an hour and a half set, with encore.  I have never been drawn into a giant sing along for an opener.  And I have never before last night, had the hairs on the back of my neck stand up on end several times having been given chills by a moment of performance from an opener.  Of note, they performed Young's Long May You Run, followed by their rendition of the Stones' Ruby Tuesday that were both so beautifully done it touched me to my core.  Add in the love fest of "Our House" and "Teach Your Children" to chalk up a few more skin humming moments.  I felt the peace and love....and embraced my inner flower child.

To sum up their portion of the show, I refer to a discussion I had with someone I used to know who expressed a couple of nuggets of wisdom on CSN.  He said:  "Crosby Stills and Nash shouldn't open for anyone", and "it would be difficult for anyone to come close to matching the incredible vocal harmonies of CSN".  I have to agree here.  I likely will never go out and buy an album of theirs, but I feel honored to have been able to see them perform live and have an understanding and a deep respect for their essence now.  Definite moment for the books.

Enter Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. 

Tom smoothly glides on stage in full trench coat....oozing effortless cool.  He plays like it's a second nature as breathing, and to borrow a phrase from Mandy, a fellow concert goer, he "conducts" the entire show.  He's been doing this a long time....he knows how to get a reaction, but it's with an ease and subtlety as opposed to manic chaos that generally infuses bands of younger ilk.  He raises his arms slowly and draws thunderous applause from the audience.  He dances....but in a fluid, dream like crawl through the air, punctuated with a single hip swing as cue for audience to cheer.  He faces the drums, back to us, and with a fist, punches out in perfect relaxed synchronicity with a single booming drum beat.  He plays the guitar and sings like he's having a calm but engaging conversation...and even when he speaks, there is no "How you doin' Toronto!!!" bellow, but rather a relaxed "We've got a lot of songs to play for you tonight, so we're gonna get going on that".  We, the audience of 20,000+, are attending Tom Petty's kitchen party jam.  Crack a beer.  Sing along.  Or, in the words of Tom himself (belted out by every audience member on song number 2 and acted out by several judging from the aroma permeating the air):  "...let's get to the point, let's roll, another joint...."

I deliberately did not listen to the new album before the show.  Had heard mixed reviews on it, so decided to wait it out and make a decision based on hearing it live.  I liked the new album material.  It's not classic Petty...it's very bluesy....but good.  Sometimes "different" from an artist is still okay in my books.  It sticks with his general musical aesthetic of intensely relaxed cool, so while stylistically different, I can see the continuity.  Will be giving the album an attentive listen.

They played a good mix of hits from the vast library.  Lots of favorites.....save one.  I've been S.O.L. for a couple of shows from established lifelong artists this year....first with the Eagles not playing my choice of "Wasted Time" (unheard of!), and then with this show, where they did not play "American Girl"  (Even more unheard of!  They were even selling pink American Girl t-shirts at the swag shop as evidence of how signature a Tom Petty song this one is!).  Even with this omission it was an enjoyable set of faves.....further cementing the kitchen party feel as it felt familiar as home.  But I think going forward I will not be picking a favorite, as this seems to be a sure fire way to have it omitted from the list for some reason.  (ah....Music Gods....C'mon!)

My sole complaint would be the length of the show.  Perhaps coming off last week's Green Day show where they played a solid 3 hour set, I felt this one, clocking in at an hour and 45 give or take, extremely short, especially since CSN put on such an epic example for an opener.  There was no lack of material for them to play....and I kind of wanted to extend the party.  I suppose, we all have to go home sometime though.  Thanks for hosting Tom.  It was a blast! 

Set List:

Listen to Her Heart

You Don't Know How It Feels

I Won't Back Down

Free Fallin'

Oh Well (Fleetwood Mac cover)

Mary Jane's Last Dance

Kings Highway

Breakdown

Jefferson Jericho Blues

Good Enough

Running Man's Bible

I Should Have Known It

Learning to Fly

Don't Come Around Here No More

Refugee

ENCORE:

Runnin' Down a Dream
You Wreck Me

Green Day - August 18, 2010, Molson Canadian Amphitheatre, Toronto

I say "AAAAAAAAAAAAY OHHHHHH!"  (and said it a LOT, at the prompting of Billie Joe Armstrong...)

Green Day has been on my "must see" list for what seems like forever.  Loved them in the 90's when they broke with Dookie, and their last two albums, "American Idiot" and "21st Century Breakdown" have been among my favorites of all time - both concept albums that are rich in content and musical diversity from start to finish.....and best listened to in that manner in order to hear the entire story unfold.  Green Day is a band that has something to say - important things, but while saying it, still maintain a sense of fun in the spirit of rock 'n roll.  They (unlike other rock stars with a message, not mentioning any names *cough* Bono *cough*), provide the audience with thought provoking commentary without taking themselves too seriously. 

Quick, pre-show rant:

1. public transit to the show was madness....arrived late due to transit problems that caused us to miss the majority of the opening act, AFI.  What I caught of them was great, but sad I missed the majority of their set because I've heard good things.
2. Got felt up by security.  Buddy should have bought me dinner first.  Seriously.  (do I look like the type to conceal stuff in my ass?)
3. Ridiculous venue regulation number ?....Bag search resulted in Jakki having her CD's confiscated.   Why?  Because she could have used them "as a projectile". 
4. Paid nearly $30 for two beers
5. In my flustered state at all of the above, mistakenly marched into the men's washroom for my bathroom break and didn't realize it until I was well past the threshold.  A multitude of dudes just sort of looked at me quizzically as I slunk out.
6. Content in our second row of our section and perfect view of the stage, felt nearly suicidal when the man arrived to take his seat in front of me who turned out to be freakishly, gigantically tall.  I'm talking like a 7 foot mountainofblueshirt in front of me.  The music Gods must have decided to cut me some slack, because he sat for all but the last 20 minutes.  Will have to sacrifice a virgin to them later in thanks....anyone know where I can find one?

Green Day took the stage at 8pm, which is bizarrely early for a rock show.  Turns out, they needed the extra time as they launched into a marathon 3 hour set.  They started off with recent fare off the latest album and went non-stop like a whirling dervish for the duration.  At one point, Billie Joe said "this is the part of the show that I say we're going to play ALL FUCKING NIGHT!".  I really think they could have.  Billie Joe Armstrong is a tiny little man.  Like 3 apples tall.  But he is so full of boundless energy it makes him larger than life and his band mates Mike Dirnt and Tré Cool keep up and then some, each exhibiting their own brand of showmanship and talent.

They played all the favorites, even going back a couple decades for some "old school" fare.  Favorite moment of the night had to be where Billie Joe stood at the mic, silent, twitchy, with eyes shifting back and forth....the entire audience knew what was coming before it happened...Basket Case, full tilt. 

They were all about the audience participation.  A few dozen pit dwellers wanna hop on stage and rock out with the band?....no problem!  At one point they plucked a fan out of the audience after polling them on who knew all the words to Longview....and let him play front man for the entire song, complete with flying leap off the drum stand at the final bar.  This had to be one of the best moments of this young man's life - being a rock star for those few minutes, and being rewarded further once he was done by being handed a guitar to take away with him as a parting gift.  While it could be argued that the audience would prefer to hear the band perform this song, being one of the unquestionable favorites, it was a treat to watch Billie Joe able to rock out without being tethered to the mic and display his amazing guitar wielding skills.  The only instance of this I wasn't completely in love with was the covers section of the show (including a medley of clips of "Eye of the Tiger", "Iron Man" and "Hey Jude" to name a few), and then an extended version of "Shout", where each band member took a turn at the mic.  While it was a display of Billie Joe's musical talent as he took on the abandoned instrument while it's owner "sang" (drums, bass, and at one point, the saxophone), it briefly tried my patience and I wanted them to get on with their own stuff.  Covers are cool, but it was Green Day songs I was there to hear.  I think I was in the minority however (ha!  "minority"...get it?!), as the audience ate it up and begged for more.

As the band left the stage, the crowd went ape shit.  They didn't have to wait long - the band returned within minutes for their encore, starting out with the crowd pleasing American Idiot, followed by Jesus of Suburbia, one of my favorite all time Green Day songs, clocking in at 9 minutes plus, with its fantastic rolling tempo changes.  It was friggin' epic.

They then came back for a second encore and treated us to an acoustic version of their ballads - Last Night on Earth, Wake me When September Ends, and closing with Good Riddance.  As he sang, to the backdrop of his acoustic guitar "I Hope you've had the time of your life", I can honestly say that, YES, yes I DID indeed.  I don't have enough thumbs to put up to accurately depict how much I enjoyed this show.  Billie Joe, Mike, Tré....you rocked my everlovin' world.  Thank you.

Rihanna /w Ke$ha, August 5, 2010, Molson Canadian Amphitheatre, Toronto.

I get annoyed when I read a review of a concert by someone who obviously is not a fan of the band/artist or at very least, genre.  Music is entirely subjective, so if you are not a fan of a particular genre going in, chances are, you aren't going to "get" the art, completely miss the point, and the review will not be favorable.  I'm not a fan of Rihanna.  I'm not a fan of her genre of music.  But I was handed free tickets (of $300 face value each) to the show and knew my daughter Emma would be over the moon to go.  Raise your hand if you have never violated your musical integrity in order to make your offspring happy....I dare ya!  (and it could have been far, far, FAR worse....)  So if you ARE a fan of Rihanna, I acknowledge I have no business reviewing this show.  But it's a blog, I'm not being paid to do it, so feel no sense of responsibility to the artist(s).

The Molson Canadian Amphitheatre, is one of my very favorite venues in Toronto to see music, and our seats, were friggin' amazing.  On the floor, 4 rows back, and could literally spit on the stage (if I were the spittin' type).  Felt a bit of a pang waiting for the show to start, that it was this particular show I had such spectacular seats for, but Emma was bouncing with excitement, so it was all good. 

Ke$ha (a.k.a., Tarty McTartyton):

You know that song right?  That Tic Toc song?  That sums up my knowledge of Ke$ha going in.  Folks...that's about all you need to know.  This young lady (and I use the term "lady" loosely) needs to get her act together if she doesn't want to end up on the one hit wonder pile.  I am pretty sure her "band" wasn't playing their instruments (little bit 'o air guitar anyone?  Seriously?  Are you kidding me?).  There was a lot of prancing, gyrating, glitter, and tongue wagging.    Can she sing?  Who knows.  Pretty sure I don't care.  My advice to young Ke$ha is to spend more time on writing and her touring band selection than perfecting her crotch rub and dance moves.  Just sayin'.

The intermission entertainment:

As Ke$ha is finishing up, the girl beside me (decked out in halter dress and high heels, with humongous breasts threatening to bust out the sides) dances into her beer at her feet and tips it over.  Then promptly accuses me of knocking it down.  The "Yes you did, No I didn't" ridiculousness ensued and then she stomped off, to return minutes later telling me that "I ruined her night".  My patience level not being at an all time high under the current circumstances, I gave her a "look honey, I watched you knock it over.  If it was me, I'd buy you another, but it wasn't.  We have a long night ahead of us, I want to enjoy it with my kid, so get over it".  She responds with "I'm sorry, I'm having a bad year".  Ha!  Wanted to go buy her a beer after that!  Situation repaired, I turned my attention to Emma who was full of chatter:

• I wonder if Ke$ha and Rihanna are BFF's.  I bet they are.
• Mom, none of the security guards are baldies.  Aren't they usually bald? 
• Does security get to watch the concert for free?  That's not fair!
• What's taking so long?  Does Rihanna have to fix her makeup?  Shouldn't she have been doing that DURING Ke$ha's show?
• Look Mom - there are lots of oldies here - look at that guy with all the white hair (me, hissing: Emma, don't point!)
• Mom, are you and that lady who spilled her own beer friends now? 

Then the lights went down....

Rihanna:

And the show begins.  Rihanna takes the stage wearing a dress that lights up.  Was  a hint of things to come.  There were no less than 7 costume changes during the little under 2 hour performance, each more outrageous than the last.  The sets were incredible (she rode the gun of a tank for a bit while singing and there was a car, and lots of cool structures), and there was a plethora of interesting things to look at, complete with acrobatics and costume changes for the dancers.  One of the coolest moments was the appearance of the backup dancers in these stilted futuristic monster costumes.  Clearly, the set budget had no limits! 

"ah...Toronto, could you lend a hand?  I seem to have gotten a little twisted up in this here duct tape...."

So need one of these for the office!

She ran through all the hits (I think?  Not overly familiar except for that dreadful Umbrella song, but making an assumption because the audience was going bat shit every time a new song started up).  She was a great performer - her voice was strong, she moved in ways I could only dream about duplicating, and she was charming and gracious to the masses at the sold out amphitheatre.  Cute as a button, she was.  And perhaps Ke$ha should have been taking notes on how to sell sexy without becoming trashy.  And while I'll never get her musical aesthetic, I appreciated that she was "good" in the grand scheme of her genre.

What else can I really say, being unqualified to really review this show as a fan?  I'll say this.  I was entertained.  I had a whole heap of fun.  I'll liken it to a highly enjoyable movie where the visuals were fabulous, but the soundtrack was "meh" and I won't be rushing out to buy it any time soon.  Still not a fan of Rihanna or the genre, but will give the show a thumbs up based on my entertainment level as a whole with acknowledgement that she gave the (paying) ticket holders what they came to see. 

And my girl had the best time ever.  Sang, danced, hugged me every few minutes to thank me for bringing her.  Really, what else is more important?

Kings of Leon - July 28, 2010 - Molson Canadian Amphitheatre, Toronto, ON

If you don't know Kings of Leon, you've been hiding under a rock.  Last summer in particular, I found that I couldn't take a step without hearing one of their tunes blasting out of the radio....and I rarely listen to the radio... but man, they seemed to be everywhere - restaurants, the gym, bars, shopping malls, etc.  They have some damned fine marketing folks!  I generally get ticked off when beat over the head in such a manner because I find that real genuine artistic talent rarely makes it to airplay.  The difference, for me, with Kings of Leon (and the reason I've not shunned them completely due to my disgust at talentless hacks that enjoy commercial success due to a good marketer as opposed to word of mouth fan discovery), is that I think they are pretty good, generally speaking.  They've got an interesting sound, and they have an incredibly cool story. (who DOESN'T love a good "family of religious freaks shun the church, form a band and go rock 'n roll" tale?!)  I like 'em.  And Caleb Followill has one of the sexiest voices in rock.  (although just had a discussion on that topic with some of the girls here and they don't seem to share that sentiment...just me, maybe?  It makes ME weak in the knees....)

Was my first concert of the 2010 season at the Molson Canadian Amphitheatre on the Ontario Place grounds.  This is a fantastic venue for live music - open air (yet the first 3 sections are covered from rain with a nice breeze off the water wafting through), good acoustics, and holds a large hoard of people (16,000 I believe?!).  Only problem is, with a night like last night, where it poured rain, it's a bitch to get to and from because it's literally in the middle of nowhere.  Regardless, a little soggy, we managed to get there and navigate the paperless ticket situation (none delivered, had to have my credit card I purchased the tickets with scanned), and enter the venue with very little problem until they confiscated our cameras. (!)  We were told that it is the band's choice, which I don't get at all....perhaps someone can enlighten me on this? 

Anyway, moving on.  We got the cameras back at the end of the show, while waiting in line with a large majority of fans who had had their umbrellas confiscated.  (yep....sigh...raining....outdoor venue....seriously?!  Savages!).

The Stills, a band from Montreal, were the openers.  I need to look into their stuff a little further.  Not because I loved them, but because I was still in "meh" mood when they came out.  In addition to being rained on and having my camera taken from me (and navigating a mess of humanity to get our seats), I had just paid $9.75 for a beer.  Thinking perhaps I wasn't all "open minded-y" at the time and willing to give them the benefit of the doubt.

After intermission (monster lineup for bathroom, monster lineup for another $9.75 beer, grrrr (but got asked for ID!  Yay!), Kings of Leon hit the stage in a cloud of red smoke and high power lights.   I stood with cranky face with a "you better rock my world" attitude....  Pleased to say that they did, indeed, do just that. 

By the second song in, ("Notion"...my new favorite), my mood was completely turned around.  Add to that the immediate follow up of "Taper Jean Girl" off  the Aha Shake Heartbreak album with it's heavy bassline and funky feel and I'm actually beaming at the stage, fully invested and letting it flow through me, singing along ("uh, huh, sheeey heeeee").  Friggin' Awesome.  I.  AM.  IN!

There was a good mix of tunes with plenty of their older stuff thrown in (good...less polished than the current album), and they even threw in a couple of new tunes that are to make an appearance on the yet to be released album that were very cool.  AND, they tossed in a cover of the Pixies' "Where is My Mind" (of note, one of two Pixies songs I have on my ipod 'cause I kind of like it but can't call myself a Pixies fan) and took it's repetitive feel, roughed it up a bit, and rocked it out.

The boys were on.  Caleb held up my expectations with his voice that sounds like auditory booze and cigarettes blown over fine gravel - sexy as hell.  I stand by that.  The rest of the boys all had their stand out moments, and they sounded fantastic.  And I also learned something....I had no idea that the "wha, wha, wha" sound in Closer (one of my faves from the Only By the Night album) was actually created by putting lips to guitar strings and blowing with a little bit o' tooth manipulation...cool! 

Least favorite moment would have to be the crowd pleasing "Sex on Fire"....way overplayed and definitely not my favorite of their tunes by any means.  For a band who's whole vibe shoots off a lazy (in a good way) yet effortless, bluesy, sexy feel (screw Barry White, play some KOL), this just seemed to be overkill.  But man those twenty somethings sure did like screaming along to it.

All in all, their hour and 45min set was highly enjoyable.  As Jakki so accurately stated "Rain, stinking sweltering heat, the sweaty masses and long queues all added to the overall enjoyment. The show itself was an oasis in the middle of all the madness".  Yep...agreed.  Would see them again in a heartbeat (and I'm currently enjoying a little "relive" concert via ipod this morning!).  They turned around Cranky Lindsay...not an easy feat...good on 'em!

Set List:

Crawl

Notion
Taper Jean Girl
Immortals
Molly's Chambers
Fans
Milk
Mary
Closer
Four Kicks
The Bucket
Radioactive
Where Is My Mind? Pixies Cover
Sex on Fire
On Call
Southbound
Trani

Encore:
Knocked Up
Use Somebody
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