I’ve managed to have a healthy apathy about the weather for most of my life. With the exception of the occasions when GBS is slated to play outdoor concerts, I barely check the forecast. Most days I could care less if it rains, shines or freezes. I generally go about my day, indoors or out, regardless of the conditions. I’m convinced this Weather Zen is key to being a happy Newfoundlander, especially in the weeks that follow Paddy’s Day and lead to Summer. (Known most commonly as ‘Spring’, a season that skips the Rock annually)
Right now the sideways drifts of the third snowstorm in as many days are whipping up my street. Through the squalls, I cannot see my parked Grey Toyota Sienna, a rather large Mini Van, parked less than ten feet from my office as I type. I can feel my Zen resolve slipping; I can sense my apathy breaking. This winter is bringing me down a wee bit, I confess.
I must cast my gaze backward and forward on days and nights past and future as the present is cold and frozen.
Grand Paddy’s weekend a little while ago. Great fun to have Russell join us in DC for a song or two. Hard to beat his performances. I’ve learned a lot from his presence on stage and his conviction to the moment. I can think of few so eager to give themselves so completely to a performance when the curtain rises, the lights go down, or someone yells, “Action”.
Like many in the GBS camp, he also prides himself on hosting the best parties. The after show sing-along at the Hotel was one for the ages, with The Shantyman shining at his best, and Rachel M leading a lovely version of “Time After Time”. Grand, Grand Night.
The visit to Atlantic City proved to me that places can’t be as bad as people say. I thought the boardwalk was cool. I enjoyed the kooky old games areas. Reminded me of Tom Hanks and “BIG”, one of my favourite films.
A long flight from DC to Edmonton (for a fun gig) and back to Toronto overnight, followed by a snow delay, another snow delay, a detour to Montreal for three hours and a near crash landing 24 hours later in a windy St. John’s was not a fun way to end a fun weekend.
But things are looking up. Way up. Labels, management, and band are gearing up for the launch of the new CD. “Fortunes Favour” will be out on Tuesday June 24th in Canada and the US. Much work going on behind the scenes for touring throughout the Summer and Fall.
We are scheduled have photos taken and do a video for the first single, yet to be determined, in Toronto between April 12th and 15th. And by a wonderful coincidence, that puts us in town for the Oysterband Show on the 13th at Hugh’s Room.
For those of you who don’t know, the Oysterband have been heroes to GBS long before me, Sean and Bob ever got together. They are the quintessential British Folk Rock group that ran down the same corridors as the Pogues and Billy Bragg in England and Europe. They still have a huge following in Britain, Germany and Scandinavia, as their concerts are legendary and their songs are even better.
Ever heard of a song called “When I’m Up I Can’t Get Down”? GBS did pretty well with that track, thanks to the Oyster Gents who wrote and recorded many years before us. When we were compiling material for the ‘Play’ CD, we considered a couple of dozen Oysterband tunes to cover. We picked a good one, but there are literally several albums worth of songs as good or better in the Oyster catalogue.
We are not the only Canadian folkies to love their songwriting. John and Geoffrey from SOTW count the Oysters as early influences. Check out the Bara McNeils cover of “Northern Lights”, or Shanneygannock’s “This Town”.
Their song catalogue is Blue Rodeo Deep. Trust me. Check them out at
OysterBand.co.ukCheck out the tour dates and see if there’s a date near you. Like I said, they play Hugh’s Room in Toronto on the 13th, and unless wild horses drag us away, so will the whole GBS Cast.
Spring is in the air. Somewhere.
Cheers,
Alan