I'd forgotten what it was like to do a National Press Tour in Canada.  Myself and Bob did a smaller run when the Hard and the Easy came out, but the last honest to goodness GBS Press tour was in 2005, I guess, for the Something Beautiful CD.  I had forgotten how long the days can become when you're up at 5AM to do morning TV and Radio, followed by a full day of Interviews followed by a night-time performance.  I figure I've averaged about 4 hours sleep per day since last Thursday, and I could not be happier.  This day and age, fewer and fewer bands get the opportunity to have a major Record Label's Publicity Machine kick into full gear to promote a new project.  Music budgets just do not allow for such spending, so I feel honoured that the guys and gals at Warner Music Canada still feel we are worth the effort. 

I think the whole week went very well.  I hope people enjoyed the pub shows, especially.  I confess that I wanted them to be very loose and dare I say, self indulgent.  I usually plan the course of the evening and give the lads a set list before sound check in case we need to run over a few unfamiliar songs.  But in these pub shows, I wanted people to see us in a very casual environment with little or no bells and whistles; barely a set list to predetermine the path of the evening. For one brief reprieve I wanted to take chances and risks that I would never do in a normal GBS concert setting.   I realize a song or two went off the rails a few times musically, as we were open to requests for tunes we had not played in years, and I hope that spontaneity came across as fun for everyone.  We'll spend the bulk of the next calendar year playing a slick and well rehearsed show with full PA, Lights and Set Production.  I really wanted these pub gigs to be naked and chaotic.  I had a blast.

Looking forward to the dates ahead.  The Quebec City, Ottawa, Toronto and Gander shows in the next few weeks will serve as the first dates on the Fortunate Tour which should carry on through the Fall and into 09.  Jaysus, did I say 09?  I'll be friggin' 40 before this tour is over.  Could be way worse, I suppose.

Anybody notice that Bob now plays a new instrument.  Never fails...one per tour.  For those of you who missed the pub tour, Bob plays the harmonica now, as well.  Bastard makes me feel lazy.

Really miss my little boy, though.  Ten days away feels like a lifetime.  I can't believe he'll be two years old in a few days.  Wow.

I see the plane is dipping into the fog.  Must be close to home.

Happy Summer.

Cheers,

Alan