REFRAIN MUSIC

The last time KISS was in New Brunswick, I still hadn’t broken double digits in age yet…it was 1977. Fast forward to the early 90’s and a sold out show cancelled in Moncton, so long ago now I don’t even remember why, I just remember the disappointment of once again not being able to see one of the biggest rock acts of all time. Here we are in 2013 and KISS is coming to New Brunswick again…what, really?! Over the years I’d ‘just missed’ opportunities to see them, passing ships as it were, or maybe even the bank account wouldn’t allow a trip to far off Montreal, Toronto, Boston. But here they were, on their “Monster Tour”, supporting their “20th” studio album…and I finally am going to see a band I’ve followed since the late 70’s.

KISS Army – Monster Tour 2013

The doors to Harbour Station opened about fifteen minutes late, which caused a crazy bottleneck to get into the building, but went fairly quickly.  A lot of people were commenting that they now expected the show to start late because of it, but at two minutes to eight the opening act “Shinedown” took the stage. Shinedown rocked for a solid 45 minutes playing a mix of heavy up-tempo songs and some slower rock power ballad type tunes. They even included a cover of Lynrd Skynrd’s “Simple Man” from their debut album from back in 2003, ‘Leave A Whisper’ and their own hits like Diamond Eyes, and I’ll Follow You. Well received by the crowd, they rocked the room and were a great warm up for what was to come.

Shinedown – Zach Myers – KISS Monster Tour 2013

Kiss traces their roots to Wicked Lester, a New York rock and roll band led by Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley. Wicked Lester, never really achieved any success, they recorded one album, which was never released, and played a handful of live shows. Simmons and Stanley, ditched Wicked Lester and began thinking of a new direction, a new group. In late 1972, Simmons and Stanley answered an add placed by drummer Peter Criss looking to join a band, and after playing for Simmons and Stanley, then their were three. Inspired by acts Alice Cooper and the New York Dolls, they also began experimenting with their image by wearing makeup and various outfits. In early 1973, the group added lead guitarist Ace Frehley who impressed the group with his first audition, now that they were the four, they dropped Wicked Lester and became KISS. Sometimes a band name can come from something so simple, a snippet of a conversation, a name that becomes so recognizable it’s unfathomable at the time. At one point Criss mentioned that he was in a band called Lips, so Stanley said something to the effect of “What about Kiss?”…Gene revealed many years ago, and the rest is history.

Back to 2013, Harbour Station…as the lights dimmed around 9pm the crowd that ranged from the very young there with their parents, to many in the age bracket and beyond of the band itself…went crazy. Strobes danced behind the large black drape that cascaded down from the rafters hiding the stage lighting up the huge KISS logo as the video screens to each side showed the members of the band walking in the bowels of the arena to the stage, the screens went blank, a loud boom from the pyrotechnics, the drape dropped, and ‘the spider’ lowered the band on it’s back to the stage below…and thirty years of waiting had ended.

Starting the night with the title track from their album “Psycho Circus” they rolled into many a familiar song like “Shout It Out Loud” and one of my all time favourites, “Heaven’s On Fire” off their 1984 album ‘Animalize’.

“Heaven’s On Fire” – KISS Monster Tour 2013

I was a bit stunned that i was finally seeing a band I’d listened too for so long, and that I had resolved myself that they would never come back here to this area again. I snapped pictures like a mad man, unfortunately it was only my point and shoot this time, but at least the band/promoter allowed that. The crowd was in their glory through songs like “War Machine” where Gene, aka The Demon, starts the song off by breathing fire.

The Starchild – Paul Stanely – KISS Monster Tour 2013

About half way through the night it’s time for Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer to be put front and center when Tommy takes the mic and sings a tune that leads into guitar and drum solos from the two band members. The drum kit rising into the air as strobes and pyro flashes around Singer’s heavy beats, Thayer flies out over the crowd on a raised platform blasting out a solo to the excitement of the crowd shooting flames from the end of his guitar.

The Spaceman – Tommy Thayer & The Cat – Eric Singer – KISS Monster Tour 2013

Following that up it’s time for the “demon’s” solo on bass guitar and a performance that involved spitting blood, classic Simmons tongue wagging, a ‘flight’ in the air to the back of the ‘spider’ and the crowd losing its minds chanting Gene, Gene, Gene.

“The Demon” – Gene Simmons – KISS Monster Tour 2013

There was a lot of ‘flying’ going on in this show as Paul Stanley soon stepped on to some sort of circus contraption and was jetted across the crowd on the floor and onto a ‘B stage’ at the back of the room, a giant mirror ball was lit and the main stage blackened as hundreds of pin points of light danced through the arena.

KISS Monster Tour 2013 – 07/31/2013

Back to the main stage, what appeared to be their final song, complete with ‘bows’ and all…then Stanley says “that was supposed to be the end, but do you mind if we stay a bit longer”? The crowd, not surprisingly went crazy. Launching into ‘Detroit Rock City’ the band blasted us with several more songs, and not only blasted us with music but with several tons of confetti from cannons mounted around the room (looked like an American Idol finale), pyro went nuts, and Simmons and Thayer were elevated above the crowd as the music swelled and the confetti fell. Finally, they ended it all with the song that everyone fully expected to be the last song, “Rock & Roll All Night” from 1975.

Singing along, clapping, and cheering…30 years…well worth the wait.

Thanks to Evenko/Live Nation, PPRL, Harbour Station, and Gene, Paul, Eric, and Tommy for an amazing night!

Setlist:

Psycho Circus
Shout It Out Loud
Let Me Go, Rock ‘N’ Roll
I Love It Loud
Hell or Hallelujah
War Machine (Gene breathes fire)
Heaven’s on Fire
Calling Dr. Love
Say Yeah
Shock Me / Outta This World
Guitar and Drum Solos (Tommy Thayer / Eric Singer)
Bass Solo (Gene spits blood and flies)
God of Thunder
Lick It Up (Included the instrumental)
Love Gun (Paul flies over crowd to the B-stage)
Black Diamond
Detroit Rock City
I Was Made for Lovin’ You
Rock and Roll All Nite

The early 90’s brought about a change for what most considered ‘rock’ music, leaning away from the 80’s ‘hair bands’.  The hair was cropped off for the most part, the glitz and glam were gone for black and plaid, and the music took on a more edgy sound that resonated into bands that appeared from the shadows…many that have gone back to the shadows and vanished in 2013.

Many members of these bands on the Summerland tour, still touring, still making new music, have changed.  Art Alexakis, front man for headlining act Everclear is the only orignal member left, the same going for Filter, and Sponge…Live, a little different, their original singer hasn’t been around since 2009.  Does it matter?  Not one lick to the fans of these bands in attendance at Casino NB for the tour’s only Canadian date (yes you read that right, the only stop in the whole country was here).  One thing that I think confused a lot of fans on this tour was the name of the tour itself, it was promoted at first as just “Summerland 2013” and no one really knew what that was.  In only it’s second year, it’s not yet big enough for it to be immediately recognizable and nearer to the show you started to hear the bands involved, I think if they’d advertised what bands were involved sooner, the crowds would have been larger.  I heard many a fan say after “I didn’t even know they were coming”.  That didn’t stop the enthusiastic crowd that did attend that ranged in age from young to easily over 50.

Vinnie Dombroski – Sponge – Summerland Tour 2013

Up first were Sponge, and I must confess I knew little of the band before tonight, but did end up recognizing more songs than I thought I would.  The band was tight, and lead singer Vinnie Dombroski guided the band through it’s slightly under thirty minute set with ease, engaging the crowd and belting out the tunes.  Sponge, Alexakis said before the show, were one of the first bands to invite Everclear on tour, and he wanted to return that respect with a spot in Summerland. The Detroit group’s sound, has been somewhat forgotten over time, and while they’ve released plenty of new material over the years, their set was all old-school, including three songs from 1994’s Rotting Pinata, hits Molly,  fan favorite Plowed and the title track off RP.  The oft-bare chested Dombroski showed his experience and brought this evenings crowd into the action.

Richard Patrick – Filter – Summerland Tour 2013

Richard Patrick, the only original member of Filter still remaining (and former member of Nine Inch Nails, and Army of Anyone) has always had one of alt-rock’s great mind gripping yelps, and you got to hear that tonight.  He was obviously having fun, even grabbing a fan’s phones to take a picture of the band from the stage.  Spinning through hit’s like Jurrasitol and Hey Man Nice Shot, Filter was a hit with the growing crowd that filtered in all night (…sorry I had too) and was one of my favorites of the night.

Chris Schinn – Live – Summerland Tour 2013

While Art Alexakis may have been the most recognized name on the Summerland Tour, but the bigger band — at least back in the day — Live.  After parting ways with singer Ed Kowalczyk amid personal and legal scuffles, they were Summerland’s biggest puzzle of whether they would still be a Live that fans could relate too.

It didn’t seem to matter, sew singer Chris Shinn was a worthy replacement for Kowalczyk, a talented, and engaging presence on the stage not overshadowed by the more long standing members. In the live mix of louder songs like I Alone, his vocals fit and didn’t mis anything of live gone by, and he’s smart enough to know when to get out of the way. He yielded the floor to his bandmates when he felt in necessary and let the crowd handle much of the band’s signature hit, Lightning Crashes.

Art Alexakis – Everclear – Summerland Tour 2013

With the two Summerland tours being the baby of Art Alexakis, of course Everclear headlined the lineup, and Alexakis was front and center, with his four new bandmates joining him on the stage.   Everclear’s hit singles proved to be no trouble for the accomplished musicians teamed up with Alexakis’ throaty voice.

It was night that got louder as it went (I felt sorry for anyone without their earplugs) with Everclear slipping in a new song here and there and by the time they closed, with Alexakis slapping fives with fans in the front row, the audience still wanted more.

If Summerland 2013 is coming to a city near you I encourage you to check it out if you love the 90’s styled edgy rock and roll, thanks to PPR, and Casino NB for another great show!

An exciting event for rock fans, and specifically for Pink Floyd fans came to the Moncton Coliseum on March 21st…Brit Floyd!   A cataclysm of light and sound the Brit Floyd show is an onslaught of music that sweeps you up in it’s melodic manifesto and takes you to the end.  Around for about a little over a year now, the show may be new but the players are not, all the musicians are drawn from the more commonly known Australian Pink Floyd show which is still currently touring and has been for almost twenty years.

Brit Floyd – Moncton Coliseum – 3/21/13

Brit Floyd’s show began right around 8:00pm with a long melodic intro to the first song…the crowd roared in appreciation, the lights dim, the video screen came to life and the show hummed to life.   The fans of Floyd, of which there are many and many were in attendance tonight were ready for this show.   Even if you have been fortunate enough to see the origina Floyd live, you will not be disappointed by the Brit Floyd show, at times closing my eyes, and feeling like I was hearing the real thing with only slight subtle nuance differences.

Brit Floyd – Moncton Coliseum – 03/21/13

Brit Floyd are exceptional in recreating the conceptual stories that often came hand in hand with the many songs which provide a core to Pink Floyd’s albums. The band was massive with the aforementioned guitarist Bobby Harrison, Drummer, Arran Ahmun, Percussionist/Saxophonist Carl Brundsen, Bassist Ian Cattell, gutarist & musical director Damian Darlington, keyboardist Rob Stringer, and background vocalists Emily Jollands, Jacquie Williams, and Ola Bienkowska.  All played a part, that took us through album after album of Pink Floyd musical history.

Brit Floyd – Moncton Coliseum – 03/21/13

One interesting nuance, every time the band switched to a different set of songs from a different album, they showed the a visual on the screen of someone pulling that vinyl album off the shelf and taking it to the turntable to play.  The knowledge of the smallish but dedicated group of Floyd fans roared with each album shown.  Again I got the chance to see a mesmerizing vocal performance from back up vocalist Ola Bienkowska on “Great Gig in the Sky” that absolutely blew the audience away like when I’d seen the group previously.

Brit Floyd – Moncton Coliseum – 03/21/13

After a twenty or so minute intermission the second set brought us, arguably, the three most recognizable Floyd songs in “Wish You Were Here”, which Darlington performs the vocal stunningly on, “Another Brick In The Wall”, and “Comfortably Numb” which with the aid of video screen brought the Floyd experience to life…the band performing all of these songs absolutely flawlessly.  I love that Damien Darlington has the symbom from the cover of ‘Dark Side of The Moon’ painted on his guitar, and the light beams shoot up behind the strings.

Brit Floyd – Moncton Coliseum – 03/21/13

The band ended the almost three hour night to grand applause from the greatly appreciative Coliseum crowd.  I highly recommend, if you are a Pink Floyd fan, rock music fan, hell just a music fan to see Brit Floyd if you get the chance, it’s a wonderful musical experience that will leave you wanting more…not to be missed, I won’t miss them next time!  To the band, the coliseum, and CMP Live I thank you for a wonderful night of musical entertainment…until next time!

Brit Floyd – Moncton Coliseum – 03/21/13

ECMA’s – East Coast Music Week

That’s right to celebrate 25 pure years of East Coast music, Refrain Music is heading back to where it all began.  From March 6-10, 2013, Halifax’s downtown will play host to thousands of musicians, industry people, and a multitudes of fans.  East Coast Music Week starts today…join us on our journey through the biggest celebration of East Coast music!  Look for the new ECMA iPhone and Android app to keep track of all of this weeks goings on in Halifax…more to come!!

Schedule  

www.ecma.com

 This musical trip started off a bit slow due to other commitments, travel time and such but last night we rocked on the Halifax waterfront at the Waterfront Warehouse.  The events seem a bit more spread out this year making it a bit tougher to cover multiple venues in one night (some being way over in Dartmouth unfortunately) so Friday night was spent at the Porter Airlines R&B / Soul stage.  A packed house rocked to the likes of Chris Kirby, Cyndi Cain, Charlie A’Court (who won R&B/Soul Recording of the Year and Blues Recording of the Year for his album Triumph & Disaster), Chris Martin, and more!  (See pics below)  The Waterfront Warehouse is normally a restaurant right on the Halifax waterfront that was converted on this night into a great live entertainment venue.  We had planned to venture to a few other places on Friday night but were getting messages that some of the other smaller venues downtown were at capacity and weren’t even letting in media with passes.  This mattered not as the music was so great at the venue we were in we stayed the whole night, and there was not one act we did not enjoy.

Cyndi Cain – ECMA Week – 2013

Chris Kirby – ECMA Week – 2013

Chris Kirby – ECMA Week – 2013

Charlie A’Court – ECMA Week – 2013

Charlie A’Court wins R&B Soul Recording and Blues Record of the Year Awards – ECMA Week – 2013

ECMA Week – 2013

ECMA Week – 2013

Chris Martin – and The Trouble Shooters – ECMA Week – 2013

Chris Martin – and The Trouble Shooters – ECMA Week – 2013

Chris Martin – and The Trouble Shooters – ECMA Week – 2013

Carson Downey Band – ECMA Week – 2013

Carson Downey Band – ECMA Week – 2013

Carson Downey Band – ECMA Week – 2013

Here we go Saturday…after a late night Friday, we decided to check out the new-ish Halifax Seaport Market on Saturday morning.  There was even music everywhere here, with tastes for everyone, seeing a bass made out of a wash tub, string and a bauer hockey stick (how Canadian) was awesome.  The two floor market is huge, with fresh quality food everywhere and the citizens of Halifax are obviously loving it, as it was packed.

Halifax Seaport Market – ECMA Week 2013

Halifax Seaport Market – ECMA Week 2013

Wandering the city for the afternoon was a great time, on this mild sunny day stopping into various shops, eating in local restaurants, taking pictures, and just enjoying the day.  I was surprised however to see a lack of downtown advertising for the ECMA weekend, I saw one billboard near the Seaport Market, but was stunned not to see more.  In other years, for example in 2012, signage lined the streets letting everyone know that the ECMA’s were in town.  I expected to hear/see much more than I did, particularly with it being the 25th anniversary of the event in the city it started in.

Gearing up for Saturday night I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention my surprise to find that several of the acts we wanted to see were in a location far from the rest of the events.  The ‘country’ acts were mostly relegated to a bar located way over in Dartmouth, an almost 20 minute drive away from the event we were at the previous night.  This was poor planning in my opinion and left us with no choice but to stick with the downtown venues both Friday and Saturday, missing the acts at the above mentioned location.

Saturday night started with a trip to Casino Nova Scotia to the UPS Rock Stage where we checked out bands like Carmen Townsend, Motorleague, Gloryhound, and Slowcoaster.  This was definitely and ‘ear plug’ inducing event, it was rocking, and it was loud (almost too loud)!  The highlight for me was Carmen Townsend who is always great live and even did a version of “Sabotage” with the lead singer of Motorleague.  Next up we were off to the Delta for the ‘late night’ stage that started at 12:00am and ran until 3:00am.

Carmen Townsend – ECMA Week 2013

Carmen Townsend – ECMA Week 2013

Motorleague – ECMA Week 2013

Gloryhound – ECMA Week 2013

Slowcoaster – ECMA Week 2013

Slowcoaster – ECMA Week 2013

Walking in to the Delta ‘late night’ event we were a little confused as to where the actual event was, surrounded by musicians and event goers with no clear direction as to where to go.  Upon asking the desk clerk we travelled to the 8th floor.  When entering the ball room (which was smaller than expected) we were greeted by welcome addition, a young lady selling hot food snacks like chicken souvlaki, fish & chips, hot dogs…score!

This event featured an interesting smorgasboard of musical acts from Australian folk, to indie-pop, and beatboxing.  Cole and Van Dijk, exchange musicians from Australia, started the night off with a lighter fare presented on guitar and fiddle.  In complete contrast, up next was The Cauldron Project, that amped up the volume and took those that had arrived so far by surprise.  The group appears more like a ‘metal band’ than a group that raps in the style of groups like Prodigy and Cypress Hill, their final song featured on drums Adam Gould from Moncton (Last year’s President of the ECMA organizing committe).  The next two acts were highlights of the weekend for me, with PEI’s “Coyote” laying out an 80’s infused indie-pop set that had the crowd hopping and had “The Breakfast Club” popping into my head.  Coyote is a fun band that really had the crowd on their feet and wanting more.  Up next was local hip-hop favorites “Three Sheet”, they are hard to classify as they feature a guitar and bass player, a beatboxer that was crazy good, a rapper, and a female vocalist/rapper.  I can see why they are really making a name for themselves being nominated, and winning, awards as these guys are crazy good and highly entertaining.

The Cauldron Project – ECMA Week 2013

Coyote – ECMA Week 2013

Coyote – ECMA Week 2013

Three Sheet – ECMA Week 2013

Three Sheet – ECMA Week 2013

It’s just been announced the 2014 ECMA’s will be held in Charlottetown, PEI from April 02-06, I encourage anyone close to get out and see even one of the night’s events.  With over two thousand musicians converging on the event every year there is usually something for everyone at one of the locations.  Thanks to the ECMA’s, the city of Halifax, and all the fantastic musicians…keep doing what you do!

Congratulations to the 2013 East Coast Music Award Recipients!

Aboriginal Recording of the Year / Enregistrement autochtone de l’année

• Lone Cloud – We Are Medicine People *WINNER*

African-Canadian Recording of the Year / Enregistrement de l’année – Musique afro-canadienne

• Cam Smith – Ocean Blue 

Album of the Year / Album de l’année

• Matt Mays – Coyote (Producer: Matt Mays)

Blues Recording of the Year / Enregistrement de l’année – Blues

• Charlie A’Court – Triumph & Disaster

Children’s Recording of the Year / Enregistrement de l’année – Jeunesse

• Donna & Andy – La vie pour moi

Classical Composition of the Year / Composition classique de l’année

• Derek Charke  – Between the Shore and the Ships

Classical Recording of the Year / Enregistrement de l’année – Classique

• Helen Pridmore and Wesley Ferriera – Between the Shore and the Ships

Country Recording of the Year / Enregistrement de l’année – Country

• RyLee Madison – Where Does The Time Go

Electronic Recording of the Year / Enregistrement électronique de l’année

• English Words – Red Potion 

The Chronicle Herald Fan’s Choice Entertainer of the Year / Artiste de l’année – Choix du public

• The Stanfields

The Chronicle Herald Fan’s Choice Video of the Year / Vidéoclip de l’année  – Choix du public

• George Canyon – Saddle Up (Director: Warren Sonoda)

Folk Recording of the Year / Enregistrement de l’année – Folk

• Rose Cousins – We Have Made A Spark

Enregistrement francophone de l’année / Francophone Recording of the Year

• Vishtèn – Mōsaïk

Gospel Recording of the Year / Enregistrement de l’année – Gospel

• Stephanie Mainville – Old Man Winter 

Group Recording of the Year / Enregistrement de l’année – Groupe

• The Stanfields – Death & Taxes

Jazz Recording of the Year / Enregistrement de l’année – Jazz

• Joel Miller – Swim

Pop Recording of the Year / Enregistrement de l’année – Pop

• Jenn Grant – The Beautiful Wild

R&B/Soul Recording of the Year / Enregistrement R&B/Soul de l’année

• Charlie A’Court – Triumph & Disaster

Rap/Hip-Hop Recording of the Year / Enregistrement de l’année – Rap / hip-hop

• Radio Radio – Havre de Grâce

Rising Star Recording of the Year / Enregistrement de l’année – Étoiles de demain

• Ben Caplan – In the Time of the Great Remembering

Rock Recording of the Year / Enregistrement de l’année – Rock

• Joel Plaskett Emergency – Scrappy Happiness

Roots/Traditional Group Recording of the Year / Enregistrement de l’année – Folklore / traditionnel – Groupe

• The Once – Row Upon Row of the people They Know

Roots/Traditional Solo Recording of the Year / Enregistrement de l’année – Folklore / traditionnel – Artiste solo

• Tim Chaisson – The Other Side

Solo Recording of the Year / Enregistrement de l’année – Artiste solo

• Rose Cousins – We Have Made A Spark

Song of the Year / Chanson de l’année

• Dave Gunning – These Hands

Songwriter of the Year / Compositeur ou compositrice de l’année

• Rose Cousins – Go First (Composer: Rose Cousins)

Traditional Instrumental Recording of the Year / Enregistrement instrumental traditionnel de l’année

• Natalie MacMaster – Cape Breton Girl

World Recording of the Year / Enregistrement de l’année – Musiques du monde

• Gypsophilia – Constellation

Set off and running in the summer of 2012, The Queen Extravaganza is an amazing touring show designed to take the glorious music and the live experience of rock legends Queen to old and new fans in cities across the US and Canada.  Behind  the show is Queen’s drummer Roger Taylor, a man whose talents as a writer and musician have inspired many musical legends of today.  Taylor’s idea was to the create the ultimate Queen concert experience that particularly celebrates the band’s music and not so much be a band that ‘imitates’ Queen but performs the music of the band in the best way possible.

Appearing at Casino New Brunswick this past Saturday, I knew not what to expect.  I normally search the web looking for artists I don’t know much about for a little insight on what to expect, but for this show I decided not to, wanting to take in the full experience.   Now, that said, I had seen vocalist Marc Martel’s viral YouTube video that garnered him global attention for his uncanny ability to sound like the late and storied frontman of Queen, Freddie Mercury.   I too had seen QE’s performance on American Idol, which ironically, I found out later in the show was their first public appearance!   Now the sound in the Casino is usually top notch, but I was told before the show that this was likely to be the best sounding show that I had heard to date in this venue (they weren’t wrong).

Marc Martel – Queen Extravaganza

With a rapid dimming of the house lights, a bang of the drums, the large logo covered drape that hid the stage lit up like the mothership landing and the show had begun with drummer Tyler Warren starting the show with fellow band members Drian Gresh (Guitar) and Francois-Olivier Doyon (Bass).   Already I was impressed with the skill level the band played at (and became further and further impressed) and main vocalist Marc Martel hadn’t even appeared yet.  By the second song Martel and other vocalist Jennifer Espinoza and from the first note that Martel sings you are blown away by the similarity of his voice to that of the late great Freddie Mercury.   Many have tried to ‘imitate’ the former Queen frontman, but most fall short…Martel does not.   Right from the first note, the high expectations that the crowd has for the cog in the wheel that was Queen is more than adequately achieved in Martel his voice taking on the Mercury vibrato in all the right place, the tone bang on, I saw several jaws drop in the crowd when he began to sing.  Tyler Warren behind the drums and Jennifer Espinoza also take on vocal duties for some songs but this is about Marc Martel and his incredible ability to recreate Mercury (there had been two other singers in the group previously that had earlier been removed).  Taylor’s Queen Extravaganza were hired after an intensive  six week online audition search.  The buzz surrounding the public auditions sparked worldwide interest with video submissions generating more than 6.4 million views. Television host Ellen DeGeneres was so impressed with the level of talent, that she invited one hopeful to perform his audition on her show. That contestant, Montreal’s Marc Ma rtel, secured himself a place in the final band (rightly so!).

Queen Extravaganza – Casino NB

Belting out classics like “Killer Queen” and “Crazy Little Thing Called Love”, mixing in the more obscure “Lazy On A Sunday Afternoon”, the band had the crowd fully engrossed in the show from the beginning.   Martel interjecting with brief introductions and thanks to the crowd in both English and French, the crowd ate it up with every breath and note the band produced.  Audience participation was encouraged throughout the show, getting the crowd clapping during a fantastic rendition of Radio Ga-Ga, and having the crowd sing along in parts of songs.  Speaking of singing along, the crowd could not help themselves when the band performed the operatic anthem “Bohemian Rhapsody” which was interspersed with video footage from the actual Queen days, leaving the harmonies up to them, and the piano playing and main vocals up to Marc Martel…with band coming to a climactic close and the final line, “any way the wind blows”, sung by the crowd.

Queen’s “The Show Must Go On”, having never performed it live themselves, was a resounding success filling the room with incredible vocals and musicianship.  Drummer Tyler Warren performed an entertaining drum solos part way through the show, and Jennifer Espinoza shared vocals with Martel during a lively rendition of Under Pressure with Espinoza performing the Bowie portions of the song.

Jennifer Espinoza – Queen Extravaganza

There were many highlights on this night for me, with the vocals of Marc Martel being the prime one.  This band is not a ‘tribute’ in the sense of others where the band attempts to ‘mimic’ the original in both music and character, but Martel nails the voice and the more subtle gestures of the more flamboyant Mercury.   It was a joy to hear some of these songs performed so incredibly well, like “Another One Bites The Dust”, “Fat Bottom Girls”, and “I Want To Break Free”.  I would love to tell you how long the show was (just under two hours I think), but I’m not really sure, I don’t remember the last time I was that engrossed in a show…I didn’t look at my watch once.  Ending the night with one of the most recognizable songs from the band, and the song that got Martel so much recognition, “Somebody To Love” with an incredible vocal performance.

The crowd however was not ready to let the band go just yet, with an on their feet, clapping and cheering session that pulled the band back on to the stage for an up tempo and rocking three song encore of “Tie Your Mother Down”, “We Will Rock You”, and “We Are The Champions”.

Brian Gresh – Queen Extravaganza

I suggest, strongly…that if you ever get the chance to take in a performance of the Queen Extravaganza, don’t hesitate.  I closed my eyes on many occassions this night and was transported back to the heyday of Queen, the sounds shining brightly as if Freddie had miraculously reappeared and was on the stage before me…my ears were in awe, my musical heart was happy, and a great time was had by all.  If Roger Taylor set out to give the best musical rendition he could of his former iconic rock band, I say job well done sir, job well done!

Thanks to Queen Extravaganza, Evenko, PPRL, Casino NB, and the music of Queen for a wonderful night of musical entertainment!  Until next time!

It’s hard to believe that it’s been 25 years since we got our first taste of Blue Rodeo, currently on tour across Canada to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the release of their debut record “Outskirts”, this night featured a mix of hits, some new songs from their forthcoming record (due October 2013) and some choice favorites of the band.

The members of the group, consisting of vocalists-guitarists Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor, drummer Glenn Milchem, keyboard player Michael Boguski, pedal steel player Bob Egan and bass player Bazil Donovan, stepped on to the stage just after eight in typical fashion, with little fan fare, the lights dimmed and the band was there playing the first song of the night, Cynthia, off Five Days In July. They followed this up with a fantastic version of Diamond Mine that was played vigorously and showed the obvious musical talent of one of Canada’s best bands.

Blue Rodeo – Casino NB – 01/21/13

The crowd tonight was packed in as tight as Casino NB’s, “The Center” would allow, even adding some extra ‘general admission’ tickets at the end to allow more fans to enjoy a great show (a little too tight from where I was sitting). The young ladies in front of me that were more interested in photographing themselves (complete with flash) on their phones and talking the whole first set drove me out of my seat to stand at the back of the room. Who pays to go to a concert to talk the whole way through it?

Blue Rodeo – Casino NB – 01/21/13

One thing that was notable to me right from the beginning was how well the band’s vocals have held up over the years, particularly Jim Cuddy, whose voice sounded fantastic and stood out amazingly well on songs like “After The Rain” and “One Light Left In Heaven” which were highlights for me.

After being on stage for an hour, the group took a roughly 20-minute intermission. Returning to the stage for a short acoustic set that showed some of the skill of the band members, a standout for me was drummer Glenn Milchem playing nothing but a box drum and what looked like a garbage can lid, but was still relevant in the overall sound. With fantastic keyboard solos from Boguski, stellar steel guitar from Egan, and smooth bass from Basil Donovan, the band was as tight as a band can get.

Blue Rodeo – Casino NB – 01/21/13

The band was not much for talking, partly due to having so many songs to draw on and fit into their nightly repetoire, but when they shared anecdotes with the crowd it was well received, including dedicating “Fool’s Like You” to Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Greg Keelor invited the crowd down to the front of the stage to enjoy the last few song, much to the glee of fans that rushed forward to get a spot near the front of the stage (one promptly escorted away as she jumped on the stage). The band closed the show with “Til I Am Myself Again”, “Hasn’t Hit Me Yet” (sung in part beautifully by the crowd) and “You’re Everywhere” that featured what Keelor called the “Moncton mixed choir”. One thing the band did mention was they were glad the Casino became available when they were planning the tour to celebrate their 25 years, as they remembered fondly doing five nights in a row at Moncton’s Capitol on a previous tour adding show after sold out show to the week.

Blue Rodeo – Casino NB – 01/21/13

The first of two encores saw the group perform their first single Try to rapturous applause, it was a bit ‘hurried’ for my liking as I found the band and Cuddy had brought up the tempo a bit, they finished up with “Head Over Heels” and my favorite Keelor sung song “Lost Together”.  The second encore closed out the evening with only Cuddy and Keelor, the two original members that met back in High School in the early eighties, on stage performing “Is It You”.

As the nearly a three hour show wound to a close, Blue Rodeo said good night and the crowd walked into the chilly night with a fond concert memory, sure for many, not to be their last Blue Rodeo concert. Thanks to Blue Rodeo for yet another fantastic show, Casino NB, and PPRL for a great night! Until next time!