Hello to the Great Big Sea Family/Community!
This just a quick note to introduce myself - most pertinent information about me is in my online profile and in my earliest posts about the Sault Sainte Marie, Ontario concert on Friday, September 25, 2009.
It is almost a cliche for callers to talk radio to say "long time, first time caller." That is my experience with this community. I have been an avid and enthusiastic listener to the music of Great Big Sea for about eleven or twelve years, but I went to my first concert a week ago Friday, and just joined this online GBS family last Saturday. So, I am a long time listener, first time joiner.
I live - with my wife Sharon, who, of course, is also a GBS fan, and who also enjoyed her first Great Big Sea concert with me - in the northwesternmost reaches of the Lower Peninsula (a name not bandied about as much as Upper Peninsula) of Michigan. We live on 40 wooded acres three miles south of the small village of Cross Village - with our three dogs, twelve chickens, one rooster, one goat - and work in Petoskey.
The two dogs in my photo are MayDay and Bailey. Our third dog, Treebeard, would not consent to have his picture placed on the website. All three dogs also enjoy listening to Great Big Sea - or, at least, they do not voice/howl any disapproval. Even Treebeard, at eleven, has listened to the band his entire life. They also enjoy the Pogues, the Grateful Dead, the Ramones, The Dubliners, Bob Dylan, the Who, Tom Paxton, and most Klezmer music. Of these other bands, only the Grateful Dead had the dedicated fans, and the Family and Community that Great Big Sea enjoys. All of these artists were wonderful musicians, but Great Big Sea and the Grateful Dead have/has (used the past tense here since Jerry has died) a quality beyond mere musicianship and showmanship!
One interesting note: when we went to the concert a week ago, we drove to Brimley State Park about ten miles from Sault Sainte Marie (called the Soo by people who live there, or near there). We set up our camp and then went across the border to hear the band. When I was checking in with the park ranger, I noticed that the person just ahead of me was from Ontario. After checking in, I spoke to this gentleman to determine how long he thought it should take to Soo, Ontario. I mentioned that we were going to our first Great Big Sea concert. In addition to telling me how long to expect to get there - and giving me directions to the hockey arena - he told me that the band aways gives fantastic concerts. Then, and here is the interesting part, he said that if we loved Great Big Sea - and, I assured him that we did - we would also enjoy a band in which his brother-in-law is a member - Spirit of the West. After we got home, I checked out SOTW with Amazon. Being so far from a major city, we buy many of our books and music from them. I noticed that the SOTW albums (I still use the old terminology) that I checked out were purchased by people who also bought music by GBS. And, then, ealier this evening, I saw on one of the GBS concert reviews, that Spirit of the West had appeared in concert earlier on this tour with Great Big Sea.
I saw that SOTW had about thirteen albums available through Amazon. When I read the reviews, some thought their latest CD's were the best; while others wrote that their earlier, more Celtic, CD's were best, and their latest, more rock, music was less enjoyable. Obviously hoping to purchase their finest music, I would appreciate any suggestions from the GBS Community as to which SOTW albums should, in fact, serve as one's introduction to this band.
Looking forward to reading our recommendations, I remain, as ever,
Yours in Peace!
Quakertrucker
Practice Random Acts of Kindness!
Pursue Peace - Always, and in All Ways!!
Live for Today - and for God!!!