I had two opposing live music experiences this weekend. Friday couldn’t have been any more different
from Saturday if it tried.
I ended a long short work week at The Marquee Ballroom
for The Trews Halifax episode of the CD release party. It was a packed, sold out show and we found
ourselves pressed against the front rail, inhaling large looming plumes from
the smoke machine, inappropriate drunk chicks talking their valley girl speak
and shoving and even pummelled by an accidental rogue drum stick. We were situated next to the organist who
played his cowbell with a fervent and strong clunk. It slipped from his grip and flew forward,
swishing through my hair and striking my bud in the head. Ouch.
The Trews burned through a set-list of new songs off
their new record and standards where the crowd often out-sang them. Highlights include the gorgeous and emotional
‘Highway Of Heroes’, a rousing Sean Dalton drum solo and a sexually charged
John Angus guitar solo that dropped a few jaws in the front row. I was particularly amused by a young girl
whose eyes looked like large surprised moon-pies and the kind of expression on
her face that tells you she isn’t sure she’s supposed to be looking. She was blushing. Perhaps that means he did his job?
I wasn’t impressed all that much with the sound, I could
barely hear the vocals and the organ was far too loud and overpowering but the
performances were top shelf. Could have
had something to do with being up front except that we were in pretty much the
same spot for Wintersleep and USS and the sound was excellent.
I stumbled home content, the chamber of my rock ‘n’ roll
heart sated. If anything, the show
allowed me to rid my skin of all of my stress and frustrations that built up
over the long short work week. I
crashed, slept like a log and woke up happy that Royal Wood was ahead of me. Erica and I went across early from Dartmouth
to find parking (George Thorogood was in town too and with multiple events
taking place and the new construction downtown parking can be a challenge) and grabbed
a bite to eat until the doors opened at 7:30pm.
When we reached the foot of Spring Garden Road and saw the people
already lined up we were surprised. I
learned later that some folks arrived at 6pm in that cold frost warning weather
just to get the best seats. Because of
the Long & McQuade contest I’d won, my tickets weren’t so much tickets so
at will call I had to give my name and they just gave us our wristbands. Erica disappeared into the bowels of the
church for a pee break and I scoped out some seats. By the time I got inside the best seats were
taken but I would come to learn later that there really aren’t any bad seats to
be had. I found a decent spot on the
left-hand side of the church and watched the rest of the venue slowly fill
in.
It was a completely different crowd from the night
before. The people at The Trews, even
though it wasn’t a young crowd, were drunk and obnoxious and bothersome around
me, ignoring the show that was happening in front of them while scrolling
Facebook and such. The people who
congregated for this show were wonderful.
All friendly, kind and happy to engage in polite banter all of which I
took a little something from. That is a
rare thing and I really appreciate that about a concert crowd when, especially
given the venue and the occasion.
Erica arrived to the pew I selected and Peter Katz took
the stage minutes later. A warm and
thoughtful singer/songwriter and jovial in his storytelling. He played solo but it quickly became an
interactive set, inviting us to lend our voices to meld to his. It’s one of those things for me that I find
incredibly profound, how music bonds strangers in those minutes, how harmony
becomes its own truest definition. In
these insightful moments I can feel my heart aching to burst inside my chest,
burst with joyful noise. It brings tears
to my eyes. Grateful tears. The human spirit coming together with a choir
of voices, nothing like it. That’s one
of the many super-powers of music, that universal language that is constantly
mused about.
Peter relayed wonderful stories associated with his
music, including one song he wrote about the woman he married. It was also in his set that he brought the
lovely Kim Harris up on stage to assist him.
The first little surprise of the evening. The second was when he brought Royal Wood out
to sing ‘Brothers’ with him. I
discovered a You-Tube video of it a week prior to the show and listened to it a
lot and was delighted that they performed it together for us here in Halifax. He finished his set with one last song after
Royal exited the stage and was treated to a standing ovation. That had to feel good, you could tell it did
by the smile on his face. And really, as
I sat quietly waiting for Royal to take the stage, it occurred to me that Peter
Katz and Royal Wood are perfectly paired on a bill together. There is a delicate symbiosis, of spirit,
intention and musical reverie.
This was my first show at St Matthew’s Church and that it
was for Royal Wood was nothing short of perfection. The acoustics are absolutely beautiful, the
atmosphere spiritual and when he took the stage and started to sing and share
stories the way he does, well, words fail me, to adequately describe the
experience except to stay that it was exalting.
There are a handful of singers in this country I hold in high
esteem. Seeing Jim Cuddy for example,
reaches down into the deepest depths of my being and culls emotions I didn’t
even know I had. I can now add Royal
Wood to this list. Soothing, effecting
and soul-satisfying. I am convinced that
his voices sounds just as powerful and purposeful as it feels for him when the
songs come to him when he is creating.
His genuine approach to his craft is honest and it translates live. He believes in what he does, who he does it
with and appreciates it. In turn, his
audience is grateful to feel like they are part of something important magical
that is happening in the exact moment it is taking place. I always look around at others when I am at a
show to watch their reactions. Unlike
the night before, sweating to death among a throng of people whose beer was
more important than what was happening in front of them, people were alert,
receptive of the inspiration, the songs, the stories and most importantly,
respectfully. I didn’t see a soul in the
times I glanced around, looking down at their smart phones or looking for the
door. They were looking forward, all
eyes on the stage, all ears full, all hearts open. That, pure enchantment. He commanded the room with ease and with
pride, humbly.
One of my favorite parts was when we sang ‘Forever and
Ever’ with him. Again, that harmonious
blend of hearts and voices. Live shows,
because of the unforgettable moments
and the stories, change the way you listen to the records. After live shows, when I go and fire up my
iTunes and songs come on that were done in the show, I think fondly about the
stories, the accompaniments, all things associated with what happened, to the
song. It adds extra character and
meaning.
Rose Cousins joined him for a few songs which drew an
appreciative responsive from the crowd, she is beloved and has such a beautiful
voice. He also invited Samba Nova to
join him on stage for a song. The whole
troupe. He shared that during sound
check he thought Paul Simon was in the basement of the church but it was in
fact Samba Nova practicing in the basement.
What a great moment. And, with
the lights, I noticed that when he was without his guitar, just singing with a microphone
in his hand, his tall lean form cast a stunning larger than life shadow on the
white church walls. It was jarring on
first sight but added to the excellence and ambience of the evening.
Of course when he was finished the house rose for a
standing ovation and he returned to the stage alone with a ukulele. Her name was Betsy and he told us the story
about wandering into a little shop in Ireland to buy it and of course in as one
would expect, he wrote a story about buying the instrument. He invited Peter Katz out and together they
stepped away from the microphones and emoted a sweet song called ‘Irish Road’
while Royal affectionately plucked Betsy.
Easily, the premiere moment of the night for me. He invited the band out for one last song
before greeting everyone as they exited the church to say thank you.
I had the opportunity to shake his hand, thank him for a
great show and gab a second. I urge you,
if you are not acquainted with his music to do so. Canada is brimming with incredible artists,
after shows like these, I am often full of Canadian pride. To be able to participate and be a small part
of the extraordinary fabric our culture is made of is a gift and it is
important to our humanness.
We finished off our night with libations at The Carleton. There's really no other way to cap off a good concert experience.
It was a busy weekend but it was good. Inspiring.
Much needed, deeply appreciated and will never be forgotten.
In propinquity,
Nic
This is one of the songs Peter Katz did. He shared this story in Halifax and it touched me. I went on to listen to Oliver Schroer. Magnificent.
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