Song of the Week #7:
I’ve been a fan Newfoundland-based Great Big Sea since my friend Ken introduced me to them in college. Since celtic rock fans under 50 are hard to find, imagine my delight when my friend Tara not only confessed a similar love for the Canadian-quintet but gave me their latest album Something Beautiful for Channukah. Although it’s not a huge departure from their normal celtic-infused pop, bittersweat songcraft and killer harmonies, the album is 13 strong dependable tracks. My favorite though is Summer, a gorgeous acoustic ballad as gentle as a sigh and as pure as a ray of sun. Listen once and tell me if you don’t feeling like walking barefoot in the grass then stretching long in salute of the sky.
Reader interactions
8 Replies to “Song of the Week #7:”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
I’ve seen GBS a few times, and nothing was better than seeing them in the packed Horsehoe Tavern. The room was filled with every Newfie in southern Ontario, and the atmosphere was like a real “kitchen party”. The best part was when the band members would raise their beer glasses and yell “Sociable” which led to everyone in the place taking a swig on their beer.
Since they’ve gained a bit more fame, I like them considerably less. The last time I saw them, the stage was so big, each band member was standing about fifteen feet apart. Killed the show.
I’ve seen GBS a few times, and nothing was better than seeing them in the packed Horsehoe Tavern. The room was filled with every Newfie in southern Ontario, and the atmosphere was like a real “kitchen party”. The best part was when the band members would raise their beer glasses and yell “Sociable” which led to everyone in the place taking a swig on their beer.
Since they’ve gained a bit more fame, I like them considerably less. The last time I saw them, the stage was so big, each band member was standing about fifteen feet apart. Killed the show.
I disagree with James, though I suspect he’s been a fan longer than I and his definition of “before they got big” is a bit different than mine. I think GBS is one of those few bands who has actually managed to maintain good energy as they’ve gotten more well known. I was particularly impressed that they maintained energy after their original bass player left prior to Something Beautiful – when I saw them at the 930 Club last year with that guy from Moxy Fruvous on bass, they were just as good as when I first saw (with Ken) them as an opening band for the Chieftains some years ago. I was also impressed that, though the album had just come out the previous week, practically everyone in the audience knew “Beat the Drum” and “Helmethead” already. While Something Beautiful is not my fave album of theirs (I tend to prefer their more traditional songs), it was enough to sate me.
I disagree with James, though I suspect he’s been a fan longer than I and his definition of “before they got big” is a bit different than mine. I think GBS is one of those few bands who has actually managed to maintain good energy as they’ve gotten more well known. I was particularly impressed that they maintained energy after their original bass player left prior to Something Beautiful – when I saw them at the 930 Club last year with that guy from Moxy Fruvous on bass, they were just as good as when I first saw (with Ken) them as an opening band for the Chieftains some years ago. I was also impressed that, though the album had just come out the previous week, practically everyone in the audience knew “Beat the Drum” and “Helmethead” already. While Something Beautiful is not my fave album of theirs (I tend to prefer their more traditional songs), it was enough to sate me.
Damn, I don’t even own the album yet. Need to get on that. As for energy, I think the energy level from the band is always there for their concerts, large or small venue, but in the audience, nothing beats the small shows in bars for me.
And Kev, the next band to check out is Gaya (although all in Hebrew). http://www.gaya-group.co.il/ Just saw them again in Israel. Check out Yachad among other songs.
Damn, I don’t even own the album yet. Need to get on that. As for energy, I think the energy level from the band is always there for their concerts, large or small venue, but in the audience, nothing beats the small shows in bars for me.
And Kev, the next band to check out is Gaya (although all in Hebrew). http://www.gaya-group.co.il/ Just saw them again in Israel. Check out Yachad among other songs.
I was introduced to GBS by a renegade Canadian singer/songwriter named Lorne Clarke. This guy is the single biggest booster of Canadian music this side of the CRTC – which I also learned about from Mr. Clarke.
Great Big Sea is truly awesome – I got their new CD/DVD for xmas and it is on continuous spin.
I wanted to mention this Lorne Clarke fellow – – because he truly is a force to be reckoned with – continuously promoting Canadian music and Artists – both big and small. He even runs a Free concert series where he showcases Canadian folk acts (mixed with the odd non-canuck performer). Thus far I have seen Aengus Finnan, James Keelaghan, Eve Goldberg, Grit Laskin, Ken Whiteley, James Gordon – and even once Lorne Clarke himself.
I asked him once what it would take to bring GBS into the series and he explained that $$$ were too much for his small venue. It was he who suggested I check the web for info about their tour dates.
In any event, if any of you people are planning a trip through Pennsylvania, you might want to check the schedule for the Old Lynn Concerts… you might be able to catch a big name Canadian performer in a totally free concert.
You can learn more about the series at:
http://www.oldlynnconcerts.org
You can learn more about Lorne Clarke at:
http://www.lorneclarke.com
http://www.songaweek.com
http://www.rwandasongs.com
Thanks for letting me share,
C.C.
Nicholson, PA
I was introduced to GBS by a renegade Canadian singer/songwriter named Lorne Clarke. This guy is the single biggest booster of Canadian music this side of the CRTC – which I also learned about from Mr. Clarke.
Great Big Sea is truly awesome – I got their new CD/DVD for xmas and it is on continuous spin.
I wanted to mention this Lorne Clarke fellow – – because he truly is a force to be reckoned with – continuously promoting Canadian music and Artists – both big and small. He even runs a Free concert series where he showcases Canadian folk acts (mixed with the odd non-canuck performer). Thus far I have seen Aengus Finnan, James Keelaghan, Eve Goldberg, Grit Laskin, Ken Whiteley, James Gordon – and even once Lorne Clarke himself.
I asked him once what it would take to bring GBS into the series and he explained that $$$ were too much for his small venue. It was he who suggested I check the web for info about their tour dates.
In any event, if any of you people are planning a trip through Pennsylvania, you might want to check the schedule for the Old Lynn Concerts… you might be able to catch a big name Canadian performer in a totally free concert.
You can learn more about the series at:
http://www.oldlynnconcerts.org
You can learn more about Lorne Clarke at:
http://www.lorneclarke.com
http://www.songaweek.com
http://www.rwandasongs.com
Thanks for letting me share,
C.C.
Nicholson, PA