Tour Diary - March 27, 2008 - Home

New FTR - March Recap and New Album News

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 16:10:38 GMT

This time Alan talks about their recent shows, the new album and the Oyster Band: For those of you who don’t know, the Oyster Band have been heroes to GBS long before me, Sean and Bob ever got together.

re: Tour Diary - March 27, 2008 - Home

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 16:24:12 GMT

Seattle could use some of your weather zen, especially as our weather has taken a turn for the yuck. ;) But the album news is a bright spot of sunshine indeed! Thank you very much for the word, as well as the tempting glimpse of the post-Russell-cameo party, and pointers about the Oysterband!

re: Tour Diary - March 27, 2008 - Home

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 17:19:47 GMT

I went to Atlantic City as a kid before the casinos. Talk about kooky - they actually had a horse that jumped off a diving platform into a pool of water sans Bugs Bunny! It was a pleasure meeting you in AC. Looking forward to the new cd and tour dates ! Sorry about the lengthy winter - we seemed to have skipped winter this year !

re: Tour Diary - March 27, 2008 - Home

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 18:32:19 GMT

What a scramble there will be for the remaining Hugh's Room tickets now! Good for the Oysters, it will give them a full house. Good move, Alan. Of course, I am very happy with the tickets for this show I bought a month ago. We would have been delighted to see the Oysters, and now you have made it all that much better.

I bet Russell Crowe throws a grand party.

re: Tour Diary - March 27, 2008 - Home

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 22:17:32 GMT

I know what you mean about the weather, Alan. I live in the West End of St. John's and have the honour of dealing with the same lovely weather. I don't mind it so much, except when I have to slog through the drifts in order to catch the bus at the Village Mall so I can get to MUN or downtown for work. Not to mention it's my first winter here...the Lower Mainland of BC didn't get anywhere near as much snow as what I've experienced here.

I have to admit that although I've heard of the Oyster Band I can't recall ever hearing anything by them. I think it's time for me to look up some of their music :)

That being said, I am looking forward to the new album!

re: Tour Diary - March 27, 2008 - Home

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 03:37:30 GMT

ooooo a new cd...could this get better..why yes it could if Russell Crowe joing them on tour for a while !!!!!

re: Tour Diary - March 27, 2008 - Home

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 18:36:13 GMT

Hey...talk about crazy weather. It's March and I'm looking out my window in Langley B.C. (suburb of Vancouver) and its snowing!!!!! Just watch , another few inches and this fair-weather city will go into lock down. By they way...any shows planned out west soon??? We had to travel to New York for our last fix!

Can't wait for the new CD!

re: Tour Diary - March 27, 2008 - Home

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 19:08:55 GMT

Thanks for the offical announcement about Fortune's Favour! As we all eagerly await June 24th, now all we have left to ponder is just what tunes we'll be treated to and when the presales will start! Everything I've heard of the new material so far, is as expected, just great! As you plan your Tour dates, please plan plenty of shows out west - like Colorado for instance ...nudge-nudge...! However, our weather here isn't much better than yours - Winter comes early and Summer comes late - so the earlier in the fall you make it here, the better!

re: Tour Diary - March 27, 2008 - Home

Sat, 29 Mar 2008 03:00:40 GMT

Jennifer C > Langley is considered a suburb of Vancouver these days? Holy crap...I spent a majority of my childhood there and can remember when the Willowbrook Mall was tiny, and the Langley Mall was covered. Wow...a suburb of Vancouver....things must've really changed in the last 8 months since I left BC.

Anyhow, I heard about the oddball weather the Lower Mainland has been having...yuck!

re: Tour Diary - March 27, 2008 - Home

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 21:59:32 GMT

You Lucky Canadians! Go and see and support Oysterband. Long a favorite, and in fact the reason I am typing this on a GBS website, for they are the reason I got to know Great Big Sea. Alan neglected to mention that he and the boys played and sang on the Oysters Here I Stand album about 9 years ago. Their most recent album, Meet You There is easily their most consistent and enjoyable in awhile, though as Alan said, their song catalog runs deep, and every album is a delight. I said lucky Canadians because try as I might, the Oysters aren't playing in the US, and haven't in a long time-so please, go out and support them, and maybe they can be persuaded that all of North America appreciates them!

re: Tour Diary - March 27, 2008 - Home

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 12:07:42 GMT

'Everything is gonna be alright when summer comes.'

re: Tour Diary - March 27, 2008 - Home

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 23:27:05 GMT

Just the opposite of the comment above, We (my family and I) have found so much fascinating music because of finding GBS. This is music I would have never been exposed to otherwise, as none of it is ever on the radio where I live. I am so thankful we found GBS by perusing on the internet, and taking a listen. Our musical tastes are changed forever, for the better, and the wonderful concert experiences we have had! Thanks for the enlightenment. I am looking forward to listeneing to the Oysterband. We welcome the recommendation.

re: Tour Diary - March 27, 2008 - Home

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 01:24:40 GMT

Looking forward to hearing the new CD. Hoping (and I mean REALLY hoping) that GBS will do a family friendly concert in Vancouver. I have a little girl who is four - who refers to herself as "Princess Alan" - who cried for a week when she wasn't allowed to see GBS when they came to the River Rock Casino in Richmond, BC.
When GBS came to Vancouver and played in Stanley Park at the Malkin Bowl (2006) I was able to take my son (who was 5 at the time) He had a great time -even managed to sneak up to the stage and play with the boys!! "Princess Alan" would give her best tiara to see GBS live!!
As for the weather - last Friday's freak snowfall had those of us in sunny Tsawwassen a little concerned. The sun is now shining - but could someone please turn up the heat!!!!

re: Tour Diary - March 27, 2008 - Home

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 13:03:05 GMT

I just close the drapes to block out the snow and replay my movies from Ships & Dip III. Always puts me in a warm mood. Hope GBS is on the boat for S&D V.

re: Tour Diary - March 27, 2008 - Home

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 15:41:26 GMT

When I'm at work I get to see all the 'lovely' weather downtown St. John's is getting. I get to look out the huge window on the smaller side of the Downhome Shoppe & Gallery main floor and watch Mother Nature change her mind repeatedly. It's amazing the way weather can suddenly change here at the drop of a hat!

However, when I go home at the end of the day I get to enter my cozy little den and forget the cold weather outside my door. And listen to whatever will momentarily transport me somewhere warmer! But I do have to admit that facing the chilly outdoors everyday does start to wear on even the most optimistic, cheerful outlook...I can't wait for the warmer season, or at least no snow!

re: Tour Diary - March 27, 2008 - Home

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 18:57:15 GMT

So excited about the new album coming out on my birthday!!!!!
What a great birthday present!!!! :D

Hopefully, spring will start warming everybody up. It's warming up a bit in Michigan, Canada should be next!

re: Tour Diary - March 27, 2008 - Home

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 01:12:25 GMT

I may not live in St. John's Alan, but I do know how you feel. It feels as if this winter has just dragged on forever. I can't wait for the first blade of grass to poke up through the snow, whenever that will be.

One must be patient with the weather in Newfoundland. If we don't like it, wait five minutes and it'll USUALLY change. At least if we're stuck for something to do, us hockey fans lucky enough to have a team in the playoffs can park ourselves in front of the tube for a good game of hockey.

I am sooo excited for the new album. Having heard a few songs back in December I can't wait to hear what songs will be on there. Not that much longer and we'll all be enjoying the new disc.

I've heard of a few songs by the Oysterband. I have the Shanneygannock cd 'Fling out the Flag', so I have their version of 'This Town'. When I looked at who wrote the song, I was thrilled because it was the same three who wrote 'When I'm Up', both great tunes for sure.

I agree that spring is in the air...it's just not here yet. Soon, it will come soon!!!

re: Tour Diary - March 27, 2008 - Home

Sat, 05 Apr 2008 01:08:40 GMT

I was in the third row of the "fun gig" in Edmonton (and snuck up to the stage about half way through) - it was FANTASTIC Alan, thanks! I'm spoiled now.

I have to say I agree with the woman from Vancouver who wanted a family friendly show. My four year old, when he found out I'd gone to the concert, was rather disappointed and asked if he could come next time!

re: Tour Diary - March 27, 2008 - Home

Sun, 06 Apr 2008 05:09:34 GMT

Hey Alan, thanks for writing. I always enjoy reading what you have to say - very well written! Winter in Wpg wasn't great either this year - I am sure it was warmer on Pluto, but spring is in the air.

I am thrilled to hear you drive a Toyota Sienna. When we purchased our Sienna in Aug '06 just before baby #3, I was feeling somewhat old (you are only 3 weeks older than me), luckily, I found an ad in a magazine which said "Have you noticed the increase in beautiful women driving mini-vans?" I posted it on my fridge so I see it every day - you need to find one for your fridge so Jo-Ann can see it everyday. I do love my van though.

We are hoping to go see Oysterband. Thank you for the info. Not only because they are heros to GBS, but I have been a SOTW fan for many moons (saw them in concert quite few times) and for those 2 reasons alone I know I will like them. Just need a sitter......

Take care, and look forward to the new album. Cheers!

re: Tour Diary - March 27, 2008 - Home

Sun, 06 Apr 2008 21:46:00 GMT

Sounds like fun. looking forward to the knew album. I take it there will be at tour to follow. oh just a sugestioun. When oyu come back to the greatist city in canada by noe. Vancouver of coarse. Try and play the queen elizabeth theature. you usully play the arts center and its sutch a small and cramped theature. the queen E and orpheum are 2 better theaturse in my opioun. Chris from wet vancouver Bc.

New FTR - March Recap, New Album News and the Oysterband

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 19:16:15 GMT

re: Tour Diary - March 27, 2008 - Home

Sat, 12 Apr 2008 02:07:56 GMT

I can't believe that GBS are gonna make an appearance at the Oysterband show!! I'll be at the show in TO on April 13 and I'll post an update on Monday! This just made my night!

re: Tour Diary - March 27, 2008 - Home

Sun, 04 May 2008 15:39:51 GMT

The tracks from the new album sound great! Sorry about the Habs, yesterday. Great season. Cary Price deserves a medal.

re: Tour Diary - March 27, 2008 - Home

Sun, 04 May 2008 17:34:08 GMT

Can't wait for the new CD!! I've been listening to the player on the site for the past two days to get my fill of the new songs. Hope the weather is getting better up there in St. John's. If not, maybe you and the boys will think about heading down here to Los Angeles. The weather has been fantastic and we're dying to see you in town again!

re: Tour Diary - March 27, 2008 - Home

Wed, 07 May 2008 03:01:58 GMT

Please come back to Prince George Alan!! You haven't been here forever. There are some fantastic celtic bands here too, including a small fiddle group comprised of 3 years old to 75 years young.

If you are coming to BC, come on up, we'll have a good old fashioned kitchen party at the Multiplex!

I hear you about the snow, ours came in October and we still have snow (May 6th) in some areas of town. We kept warm in the kitchen, playing our fiddles ;)

re: Tour Diary - March 27, 2008 - Home

Fri, 16 May 2008 16:36:11 GMT

is excited for the new cd in A MONTH! I love walk on the moon - can't wait to hear the others!

re: Tour Diary - March 27, 2008 - Home

Fri, 16 May 2008 20:45:20 GMT

Hi Alan,
Just heard you guys are playing the Carribean Cruise in Feb. 2009 and my wife and I are looking forward to hopefully seeing you there if we can get a booking. My group Dandelion Wine met you back in the 90's at the the Westend in Winnipeg when we opened for you. I also interviewed you as part of the Prairie Ceilidh Radio Show in Winnipeg. Great to see you are still putting out fine music and hope to see you again on the cruise.

re: Tour Diary - March 27, 2008 - Home

Sun, 18 May 2008 16:02:22 GMT

Happy Birthday Alan!

re: Tour Diary - March 27, 2008 - Home

Thu, 29 May 2008 22:00:26 GMT

move along i believe there's somethimg beautiful to see