H-man is napping which affords a moment to reflect on last weekend’s Halifax romp.
Man I love Halifax. If I had never heard of St. John’s, I would have moved to Halifax from almost anywhere else in North America. Perfect size, cool walks, tons of history, great music, dandy pubs and restaurants, piles of worldly people to meet, tons of students and sailors to give the place some youthful energy, and the Lower Deck.
I have fond memories of that place. We played there for a week each month for a couple of years, but in my mind, it was all one big night. For a Celtic band from Newfoundland, the Lower Deck is the biggest, most important gig in your career. You need it to pay the massive expense of getting off the Rock and an anchor gig like the Deck can pay for a lot of cold introductory tours through Atlantic Canada, Quebec and Ontario.
Gigging there can be addictive, which explains why many of the bands that played there with us a dozen years ago, are still there. It’s a great gig. I thought it was great because the pub was so good, but on Friday of last week as I stood on that stage for the first time in over a decade, I realized something, that had previously alluded me. The Lower Deck is indeed a fine pub, but it is a spectacular music venue. Every aspect of the place is set up to enhance the musical, not the pub, experience. It’s all about the bands and music. Can’t think of another pub in the world that is so focused on the entertainment as the Lower Deck. Grand Spot.
I vote we do it every year.
Had a grand time at Keith Urban show as well. Massive crowd showed up early enough to catch our set. I think we went over fairly well in front of many folks who saw us for the first time. Interesting to stand in front of the sea of Corona fake Cowboy hats. (C’mon, if you’re going to wear a Cowboy Hat don’t go for the free one you get with a six pack of Mexican beer, frig sakes).
Keith Urban is one of the best guitar players I’ve ever seen. Johnny Reed rocked the house. Gretchen Wilson can wail. Not sure about the Journey into Heart note for note covers though.
Finished Saturday night as we’ve finished many in that town; in a pub with friends chatting and laughing and carrying on while drinking glasses of beer.
I Love Halifax
Cheers,
Alan