REFRAIN MUSIC

On the second night of their “Are You With Me” Tour the guys of Doc Walker excitedly take the stage of Moncton’s Capitol Theatre for a show that was sure to please.  Doc Walker always provides a great night of entertainment and skillful musicianship and I’ve been looking forward to this show ever since I heard it announced and the multi-CCMA award winning group was sure not to disappoint.

Doc Walker - Capitol Theatre - 11/15/11

After an introduction by local radio personality Shilo Bellis from XL-96, the guys of Doc Walker hit the stage with the song “Are You With Me Tonight” the name of the current tour that is making it’s way across the country and started two nights ago in St. John’s, NFLD.  The small and enthusiastic crowd welcomed them to the stage with loud applause and whoops of joy, the Capitol Theatre, making for an almost ‘intimate’ setting for the band’s show on this night.  Lead vocalist, Chris Thorsteinson, even commented on how much he enjoyed it when he got to play in this great little theatre, one of his favorites before the band went into one of their biggest hits in “Driving With The Breaks On”.

Guitar player Murray Pulver showed why he was the CCMA guitar player of the year for 2008-2010 as my focus kept being drawn back to him at various points in the evening as his solos and smooth riffs pulled you in and enveloped you in electric guitar, I even heard some Rush thrown in at the end of one of their own songs which I thought was quite awesome.  The touring band this night also included Brent Pearen on Bass and drummer Steve Broadhurst that just finished another cross Canada tour with Dean Brody, Aaron Lines, and Deric Ruttan, both very good musicians and Brent’s bass playing stood out for me on both tours.

Doc Walker had humble beginnings back in 1991 in the Canadian prairie province of Manitoba.  Which is exactly where they recorded their new album 16 & 1 in an old school house that was attended by Thorsteinson, which he bought, and they eventually turned into a recording studio for their latest effort.  They scoured the internet looking for vintage recording gear to stock their acoustically fit house of childhood memories with and recorded the new album that appears to have a distinct rock edge to it.   Since beginning back in the day, the Open Road Recordings artists have been nominated and won numerous CCMA awards for songs off of albums like “Go”, won a Juno award for 2009 Country Recording of The Year (Beautiful Life), and show no signs of slowing down but simply getting more creative with their music which shows on 16 & 1.

Chris Thorsteinson - Doc Walker - Capitol Theatre - 11/15/11

Thorsteinson stepped away from the mic a few times this evening giving it up to his compatriots in Dave Wasyliw and Murray Pulver for a couple of songs just before their brief intermission…wait, did I just hear the ‘Black Eyed Peas’?  I seriously think these guys can play just about any kind of music and make it sound good…after the break, we found that out, as they went into their mini Christmas set.  As they tour across the country through the Christmas season they only thought it fitting to have a seasonal section mixed into their more regular fare which was alright with the crowd on this night.   Chris, took his mic at one point and journeyed into the crowd, bringing up the house lights, to lead a sing-along of jingle bells with a young girl from the crowd to much appreciation from the fans in attendance.

The guys finished off the night with some more of their best known songs like “If I Fall”, “Rocket Girl”, “Make You Love Me” (a personal favorite), and finished the night with a raucous “Get Up” before bidding the crowd farewell, or so they thought.  While a few of the fans made for the door to beat the rush, the majority stayed and pulled the band back out for a two song encore that caught some of the band members off guard.  They played one song with the full band and then the three guys of Doc Walker stepped even further forward and played one more for the very appreciative crowd.

Dave Wasyliw,Chris Thorsteinson, Murray Pulver - Doc Walker - Capitol Theatre -11/15/11

I highly recommend getting out to see Doc Walker as they make their way across the country on this tour, they provide an evening of high quality entertainment mixed with great stories, laughter, and fun filled music…check www.DocWalker.ca for tour details and to get tickets.  I look forward to the next time the guys of Doc Walker bring their music and fun to our city and thank the band, the Capitol Theatre, Sonic Concerts, and RGK Entertainment for a great night of music.  Until next time!