Out at the Ballpark – The Tragically Hip hit a home run!

As I have described in earlier posts such as Gord Downie: Canadian Musical Psychopath, The Tragically Hip’s front man is a bit of a maniac on stage.  Being up close and personal with him at the Country of Miracles show last year gave me an appreciation for his lunacy in an intimate setting.  I had yet to witness the full blown frenetic schism that he becomes when teamed up with massive electric guitar power and the chest thumping bass drum that collectively form The Tragically Hip.

Gord aping about as The Hip take the stage

For those of you, who have not seen The Hip live, trust me this is not one of those overproduced, lip synced cookie cutter perfect types of shows.  Everything, I repeat everything is live. From Gord going wildly off topic in the middle of a song, ranting and raging about anything from sports, politics or inventing a new story on the spot.  Thursday’s performance was no different in those regards.

Gord Downie in full flight with Paul Langlois (guitar) and Johnny Fay on drums.

Bachman and Turner: Still Rollin’ Along

After an extended absence from the North American music scene Randy Bachman and Fred Turner are fresh out of the studio and back on the road after parting ways in the late 1970’s.   The bombastic pair from Winnipeg’s North End once formed the backbone of the guitar heavy rock group Bachman-Turner Overdrive.

Randy Bachman and Fred Turner (Photo - Dan Harper)