I found this review of the band on celtic-life.net and liked it - thought I'd post it here because it's mopstly about Alan.  Includes some rather creative and spot-on descriptions of his appearance, sound and behavior:

"Great Big Sea is a maritime folk-rockin' band from Newfoundland.

When they take the stage audiences responded with a roar. The band plays with a refreshing lack of pretention and an endless supply of vigor.

Alan Doyle, the band's lead singer and guitarist, is also the most vocal of the four, and he always looks like he just got away with something slightly mischievous. Between songs he almost always chats with the crowd, more like a conversation with old chums than a mere introduction of the next tune, and his rambling stories seem a source of endless, weary amusement to his mates.

Doyle sings most of the songs with a deftly wielded voice that is warm and wild, with a touch of gravel ... somehow, at the same time, whiskey-rough and whiskey-smooth. His vocals have amazing depth and power, accompanied by some of the most incredible facial and bodily contortions I've seen on stage. Even during the most poignant of songs, which Doyle emotes with Oscar-worthy skill, a trace of hell-bent glee lurks around his eyes. He shines on the occasional ballad, like his own not-quite-love song "Fast As I Can," but his hallmark is the raucous and woolly pub song, usually celebrating the merits of ribaldry, drinking and the lure of the sea.

Their concerts transform into an evening of one big Newfoundland kitchen party, complete with chair-boppin', lusty singing and dancing wherever there was room on the floor. Great Big Sea certainly attracts the kind of fans who like to sing along and they always seem to know the words. The band proved that by occasionally dropping out and letting the crowd carry entire choruses for them.

I wish more bands had half this much fun on stage. (And damn, these guys would be fun to party with!)

Excerpts from a review written by Tom Knapp"

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~Squeezy~
Bobby loves me, this I know, because my Seannie tells me so...
"Alan's true calling [is] to be a whacko percussionist... to hit things with mallets." ~ Sean McCann

lattelady63:

Being a Dad also makes you become well versed in Disney characters and songs, as Alan and Sean both demonstrated at the Seattle show...somehow they got on a tangent about forking and spooning, which let to songs from Beauty and the Beast.

On a completely different note, it is amazing how spending a few hours at a GBS concert (and getting to enjoy the Doyle's smile and hair tossing) improves ones outlook on life!

your post me laugh  thinking of all the singing along that goes on during our road trips, can you imagine a road trip with any of their families? LOL

 

 

 I have to wait till Saturday for our post concert high. Oh well it will be worth it I'm sure

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There's a difference between interest and commitment. When you're interested in doing something, you do it only when it's convenient. When you're committed to something, you accept no excuses; only results.”

I was going through my pictures from the Cleveland show and found one that I had captioned thusly:

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~Squeezy~
Bobby loves me, this I know, because my Seannie tells me so...
"Alan's true calling [is] to be a whacko percussionist... to hit things with mallets." ~ Sean McCann

Thanks for breathing some life into this thread, Squeezy!  Just sharing a little "Alan Love"...  perhaps the BEST concert photo I have ever had the sheer luck of taking...

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live simply - love generously - care deeply - speak kindly - leave the rest to God

ChiTownKim:

Thanks for breathing some life into this thread, Squeezy!  Just sharing a little "Alan Love"...  perhaps the BEST concert photo I have ever had the sheer luck of taking...

 

 wow. Pure joy.

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There's a difference between interest and commitment. When you're interested in doing something, you do it only when it's convenient. When you're committed to something, you accept no excuses; only results.”

Kim, that is just luscious!  What a great shot!  Which show was it?

I am pretty pleased with this shot from Denver, although it doesn't quite compare with yours!

 

Looks like he's lost some of that pudge he'd put on.  He's looking good, svelte!

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Helen




I'm goin' Straight to Hell-On-Wheels!

Squeezy - thanks for posting that article.  I love some of the expressions Tom Knapp uses to describe Alan:

"Alan Doyle, the band's lead singer and guitarist, is also the most vocal of the four, and he always looks like he just got away with something slightly mischievous. "

"Doyle sings most of the songs with a deftly wielded voice that is warm and wild, with a touch of gravel ... somehow, at the same time, whiskey-rough and whiskey-smooth."

" His vocals have amazing depth and power, accompanied by some of the most incredible facial and bodily contortions I've seen on stage."

" Even during the most poignant of songs, which Doyle emotes with Oscar-worthy skill, a trace of hell-bent glee lurks around his eyes."

And this, my friends, is exactly what I adore about him!

 

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Helen




I'm goin' Straight to Hell-On-Wheels!

I'm with you, Helen; he is quite adorable.  :-)  Best description of Doyle I've ever read.  Thanks Squeezy.

Robin 

Helenwheels:

Kim, that is just luscious!  What a great shot!  Which show was it?

It's from the show at the Molson Amphitheatre back in July.  The lighting was absolutely fabulous that night and incredibly camera friendly.  Lucky me!

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live simply - love generously - care deeply - speak kindly - leave the rest to God

Squeezy, that's a great description of the show and 'the King' ...... sorry can't use that word in Rock World without thinking 'Elvis' first. I don't think Doyle would mind. 

Other writers attempt to capture Doyle's spirit onstage, some at indefatigable length. But a marathon of words and mountain of praise can't compare with Knapp's pithy tribute. Killer spot-on review.

Thanks for sharing.  

Kim, I lurve that photo! ...oh so nice.

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"Know thyself and to thine own self be true." ~Will Shakespeare
Ships & Dip V referral ID: TinaMack
I'm here to help.

We should find that guy's e-mail address and send him a bunch of kudos for the review.

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~Squeezy~
Bobby loves me, this I know, because my Seannie tells me so...
"Alan's true calling [is] to be a whacko percussionist... to hit things with mallets." ~ Sean McCann

In the interests of fairness (have already visited the Fishy & Bob threads)

 

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"I see you in the front row, bouncing up and down, you're ripped and ready for a night downtown." ~ Margarita
What's wrong with a little flirtation?

Monster Tee

you guys are friggen killin me here. 

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"Know thyself and to thine own self be true." ~Will Shakespeare
Ships & Dip V referral ID: TinaMack
I'm here to help.

Chiara was in the BobThreadI  Chiara was in the BobThread!!!!

*traipses gaily to BobThread*

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~Squeezy~
Bobby loves me, this I know, because my Seannie tells me so...
"Alan's true calling [is] to be a whacko percussionist... to hit things with mallets." ~ Sean McCann