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Denver!
Last post Tue, Nov 04 2008, 10:25 PM by Helenwheels. 26 replies.
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 Fri, Oct 10 2008, 2:47 AM |
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ooodotnrb
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Joined on 05-03-2004
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Boulder, CO
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Posts 28
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I am back and trying awfully hard to get the sweet sounds of those guitars out of my head so that I can write a coherent review! But wow! You certainly wouldn't know that these guys have been playing for basically 10 straight days now, with more dates to come. The band was electric and loose, and the crowd was one of the best I've had the pleasure of being a part of at a Great Big Sea show. The highlights kept coming, but here's what I can remember. First, a couple of ladies brought down a bouquet of roses for the b'ys a couple of songs into the set, and Alan seemed very touched when he picked them up. Alan seemed very "in-touch" with the crowd tonight - he was very happy, very energetic, and just overall very into Colorado. Maybe it's the lack of oxygen :) . The rest of the band sounded great, though Sean seemed a bit more reserved than normal. Though it's entirely possible that he only seemed that way when compared to the over-jovial Alan. Process Man was a definite highlight for me...brought me back to my very first Great Big Sea show, where it was played in the same #2 spot. And an excellent version of it tonight. The songs all packed their usual punch, with Paddy Murphy and Here and Now standing out for me. England was beautiful, as was River Driver. Right before the intermission is where some of the real magic of the first act happened. Alan has a bouzouki and tells a wandering tale about one of the first girls he loved, before starting an absolutely stunning version of How Did We Get From Saying I Love You. I was floored. Like, Old Brown's Daughter a'capella from the Hard and the Easy tour floored. It was incredible. And then the b'ys proceeded to blow the roof of for the first time in the night with Company of Fools and Run Runaway. After intermission, the instrumental medley was very cool to see. Couldn't quite pick out all of the tunes, but it was definitely enjoyable. By request, Something Beautiful showed up ("Every mountain has its faces..."), and was very well done. And then the final set. Whoo boy. Helmethead started it and was as fun as it ever is (though I do wonder if Bob will ever nail the lyrics down...tonight he was "phoning from the station"), and then we went straight to Dream to Live. This song is one of the most "complete" from the new album, I believe, and is easily one of the most beautiful; one of the major highlights for myself. Then we go into Consequence Free, a classic that got everyone up. And then...and then everyone started to sit down as Ferryland Freakin Sealer started up. I actually said, "Why are you sitting? Do you realize what they are playing here?" Of course, once it started full-force, everyone got right back up and helped the b'ys take that roof off one more time before Ordinary Day took us to the encores. So, here's a question for everyone: who would've thought that Bad as I Am could sound like that? With an electric guitar, that song sizzled, and had everyone begging for more. Walk on the Moon sounds a bit stripped-down without the orchestrations behind it, but I suppose that's to be expected. And The Old Black Rum was fun as always. And then the second encore...if people had any inkling doubts about whether or not the band was likeable, this encore did them in. Gallow's Pole sounds incredible live, especially when it crashes right into Straight to Hell. I was actually very stunned...whenever I am listening to Fortune's Favour, I always play Gallow's Pole before Straight to Hell. Musically, they just mesh. So I was incredibly happy to hear the two back to back here. And then, of course, Rant and Roar to make us all Newfoundlanders for a night. As I said above, Alan was very into the crowd tonight, and there was a lot of great banter. At one point, Alan noted how big of a whistle Bob has, which brought on one of the most memorable lines of the night, as Sean confessed that "Murray has a kazoo". After How Did We Get From Saying I Love You..., Sean started singing lines from "Love Hurts"...and Alan obliged by picking at the guitar strings for a few notes. As expected, there were lots of cracks about the altitude and Sean being high, as well as a section about the "oily" parts of the Bible that I'm sure Helen will have a fun time explaining to the kids with her :) . Speaking of, did I see that the kids got some of Kris' sticks? Jealous! Also, great to see my fellow Forensic-er ebly tonight as well :) . All in all, it was a fantastic night. My two guests were GBS virgins, and were both incredibly happy that they came. Alan asked us to "invite them back" someday. Boys, you can come back any time you want. Thank you for an amazing concert experience. SETLIST Walk-in Music: Banks of Newfoundland 1) Love Me Tonight 2) Process Man 3) The Night Paddy Murphy Died 4) When I'm Up 5) Jack Hinks 6) England 7) A Boat Like Gideon Brown 8) Hard Case 9) The River Driver 10) Here and Now 11) How Did We Get From Saying I Love You... (Alan solo) 12) Company of Fools 13) Run Runaway ----- 14) Instrumental Medley 15) Captain Kidd 16) When I Am King 17) Something Beautiful 18) Scolding Wife 19) Long Lost Love 20) Helmethead 21) Dream to Live 22) Consequence Free 23) Ferryland Sealer 24) Ordinary Day ----- 25) Bad As I Am 26) Walk on the Moon 27) Old Black Rum ----- 28) Gallows Pole 29) Straight to Hell 30) Rant and Roar
"Never let your sense of morals get in the way of doing what's right." - Isaac Asimov "Yeah, I've got the best intentions / for a little bit of anarchy, but not the hurtin' kind." - "Consequence Free" - GBS
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Fri, Oct 10 2008, 5:46 AM |
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Helenwheels
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Joined on 05-04-2004
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Far from the shores of England
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Posts 3,108
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Well done Nate! That was a great reveiw. Wha else can i add? I felt like that was a very cool show we got tonight. I got a great video of Alan's solo and one of the instrumentals that Molly took. She just put the camera on the stage and let it run - perfect! The instrumentals included Buffet Double (bridge piece from Tishialuk Girls) into something, into Ise Day Bye/ Feller from Fortune - in which I think I heard each of the guys trying to outshout each others' lyrics - some sang one song, some sang the other. THAT was very nice way to come back in from the break. First just Alan and Bob sitting on the drum riser playing together (bozouki and accordion) for a while then Sean strolled in and sat down with the bodhran, then Kris came in a picked up a guitar, followed by Murray - and as each instrument was added the music built, not only in volume but in tempo. WOW. I just loved it. So proud of my daughter for getting such a good video too! My kids got spoiled - not only with having the front row center seats for their first show, but by Sean giving them each a pick at the beginning of the show, AND by Kris giving Joey a pair of sticks before the encores. I was a proud mama! I am not worried about the Oiling of body parts with the kids - it went right over their heads! But what a round about segue that was! Besides Alan cut off the Biblical oilings and said "There are children here" and then said "hello" to the Children. I can't complain. Alan's solo was - I don't know the words - but it gotcha right in the gut - it was great. I had been listening to that song over and over last week - there was a wierd irony about it for me. And what a treat to hear a song like that - one you just never get to hear. I love this format - like Alan said in the FTR - it gives them a chance to make each show unique and special. I like that! Apparently Murray will do the solo in Murray UT tomorrow at the Murray theater! So we were all "high" (no, no not THAT, but as in a Mile High above sea level) but apparently High and DRY. Water just evaporates here (O % humidity). Sean said he went to take a shower during the break and he didn't even get wet! Not only that but if we all went to Newfoundland, those of us who live at high altitude would all have super hero powers and we'd be very wet.  Sean did seem to struggle a little with the lack of air here, at least at first. England had a few rough spots - but by the end, in Gallow's Pole he was ripping! I was thrilled to hear Ferryland Sealer too! And yes, it was only fitting that they should play Something Beautiful. I felt like I was at a big party - people I knew all over the theater and coming up to me to say hi - old friends and new - and my family there too. What a great night. Ilove seeing these guys here at home! i wish they came here more often than every other year. It was such a joy to have my husband and kids with me having such a good time "All together, you and me!" It was great to see John and Katie, Karen (elizem) and Beth & Eric, Lou and Sue, Kristin, Nate, Kevin, Jade, ebly, Amanda and Mike (I know you were out there somewhere!) Lynda and Belinda! I know I am forgetting some one...sorry...it is 4 am after all! I am still up and can't sleep! I am so glad I took Friday off. I'll get my pics and videos up after some sleep. 
Helen  I'm goin' Straight to Hell-On-Wheels!
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Fri, Oct 10 2008, 10:37 AM |
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CaptainKid
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Joined on 06-21-2008
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Posts 17
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THANKS FOR THE REVIEWS EVERYONE!!! We're excited to finally get the b'ys here in Utah tonight. The set list looks fantastic!!! Wish you were here! Kid.
Walk a little further from the beaten path...
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Fri, Oct 10 2008, 7:06 PM |
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GBSfan4life
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Joined on 09-11-2007
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Posts 1
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I agree! what a phenomenal concert! It was my 2nd GBS concert and certainly not my last. Someday I'm going to make plans to stick around and join everyone for a pint afterward. Just in case someone from the band reads this.. thank you so much for what you do! You're enthusiasm, sense of fun and sheer talent are just wonderful to be a part of! Can't wait to see you again!
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Fri, Oct 10 2008, 7:13 PM |
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Fri, Oct 10 2008, 9:44 PM |
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sueflan
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Joined on 01-06-2006
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Posts 86
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![Bounce [:-*]](/images/cs/emoticons/emotion-17.gif)
Re: Denver!
Helenwheels a big thank you for the great pictures and review. I know I will never sleep tonight. Tomorrow in Boise will be well just like Christmas morning! With a few inches of snow today and a great big present in downtown! I lived in Boulder years ago and really miss Colorado.
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Fri, Oct 10 2008, 10:33 PM |
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jengrogan
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Joined on 08-25-2008
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Posts 13
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Hey Helen, so sorry we missed you last night. We needed some mommy and daddy time without our kids. What a fantastic show, as usual. Simply magical for me as you can well understand. To have them sing Something Beautiful per my request and to hear Alan say it was for Jen was.... well I am speechless. I know mom was there last night listening with me. Amazing....such peace it brings. Were you in the front row with the long ponytail, Irish step dancing?? I saw you. I know we will meet someday... Thanks for the support and knowing about the song. Jen
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Fri, Oct 10 2008, 10:52 PM |
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Helenwheels
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Joined on 05-04-2004
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Far from the shores of England
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Posts 3,108
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 jengrogan: To have them sing Something Beautiful per my request and to hear Alan say it was for Jen was.... well I am speechless. I know mom was there last night listening with me. Amazing....such peace it brings. Were you in the front row with the long ponytail, Irish step dancing?? I saw you. I know we will meet someday... Thanks for the support and knowing about the song. Jen
Yes, it sounds like that was me indeed! And when you posted your story in Meet & Greet I forwarded it on to the powers that be on your behalf (total abuse of my Moderator functions...but it was for a good cause). I guess they listened...I was so thrilled for you when Alan said it was by special request - I knew you were there somewhere, and i knew how much it meant to you (and to my husband too). And if I had a hand in that, on your behalf, consider it a Random Act of Kindness. 
Helen I'm goin' Straight to Hell-On-Wheels!
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Sat, Oct 11 2008, 11:17 AM |
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AnneInPhilly
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Joined on 11-26-2003
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Philadelphia, PA USA
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Posts 3,777
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LOL, Helen! I also copied it and sent it to Nicopop to forward. Jen, we got your back! Anne
And when the winds of change begin to blow, I'll whisper, "You're my lighthouse" in case you didn't know. Sons of Maxwell visit my website!: Anne's Philly Phan Site at http://www.gbsfanatic.com
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Sat, Oct 11 2008, 1:44 PM |
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Helenwheels
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Joined on 05-04-2004
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Far from the shores of England
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Posts 3,108
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Anne, somehow i am not surprised that you and i co-conspirators once again!  I was successful in getting my video of the Instrumentals at the beginning of the second set posted to YouTube. My daughter made the brilliant move of taking the camera and setting it on the stage and simply letting it run. It is so perfect! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZTGSYLySNM GBS Denver Instrumentals 10-9-08
Helen I'm goin' Straight to Hell-On-Wheels!
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Sat, Oct 11 2008, 3:08 PM |
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AnneInPhilly
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Joined on 11-26-2003
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Philadelphia, PA USA
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Posts 3,777
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It is definitely a gem, Helen! That was a good idea on her part. Glad you all had a good time. I loved the photo of John letting go. Sounds like a good time was had by all. Anne
And when the winds of change begin to blow, I'll whisper, "You're my lighthouse" in case you didn't know. Sons of Maxwell visit my website!: Anne's Philly Phan Site at http://www.gbsfanatic.com
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Sat, Oct 11 2008, 10:06 PM |
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Helenwheels
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Joined on 05-04-2004
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Far from the shores of England
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Posts 3,108
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Anne, can you identify all the pieces in that Instrumental mix? If anybody can do it, it would be you. Molly took full videos of STH and Joey took a wild one of Ferryland Sealer and a bunch of other stuff I didn't know about! The one of Alan's olo is lovely, 11 + minutes long with his rambling intro and I haven't got it to load successfully yet. John had a great time, it was so fun to have them there with me! We had a blast!
Helen I'm goin' Straight to Hell-On-Wheels!
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