Blue Rodeo, Serena Ryder, Odd Years - Riverfest (Aug 23)

Blue Rodeo

The epitome of Canadiana (alongside The Tragically Hip alone) and they are still wowing with their performances. Almost nonstop for well over an hour they mixed in all sorts of tunes, both beloved (5 Days in May) and new (New Morning Sun, Mattawa) - and even the new stuff sounds beyond good. Their lasting power definitely has to do with the shared songwriting, primarily provided by Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor, as each has written definitive classics and performs them magnificently. It was really stunning to watch up close, and they've surrounded themselves with the finest musicians on offer too - writing and selecting songs that showcase those talents by including pedal steel, drum, and piano solos (Disappear) galore. Jim performed his own mini piano solo, but Greg also got a few moments in the limelight (Diamond Mine, Rose-coloured Glasses). The crowd had it's chance to shine by singing along to Hasn't Hit Me Yet before the encore. Try had to be one of the standouts among great songs all night but as it should it all came down to Lost Together in the end. As previously they've allowed guests to share the stage and have a go at the vocals (Wayne Petti - Vancouver Olympics, Cuff the Duke - Amphitheatre) this time they invited Jadea Kelly and Dan Mangan himself (his bandmates could be seen grinning sidestage cheering him along too!). Jadea just harmonized but Dan went a step further and utilized his sandpaper voice for the second verse which was really neat to see. But it wasn't like the rest of us were left out, we all had the opportunity to sing it out together into the Elora night.

Odd Years
While sitting at the back just listening to Odd Years after the mind-stretching Dan Mangan set I didn't realize that there was a contemporary Guelph indie rock supergroup playing, but it did sound like it so I moved my lazy ass into the tent. Perhaps because of their combined experience the sonic territory they covered from song to song was incredible. At first I was going to peg them as a folk group, borrowing elements from this night's headliners, Blue Rodeo. Then on the very next song they would change it up with a bluesy number and then an indie rock tune (and even some Super Mario music from the keyboard.) Regardless of the genre they were consummate musicians and with a deeper Beatles cover they had people, both young and old, dancing in the tent. Only afterwards when I went to get their album, inspired as I was, did I realize that their ranks include members of Cuff the Duke, Minotaurs, and Lowlands.

Serena Ryder
Serena Ryder has never been anyone I've called myself a fan of but I don't mind her from what I've heard. That being said, I didn't feel the necessity to watch all 60 minutes of her but only felt the rumble in my belly. I suppose this isn't the place to complain about the "No Outside Food" policy with very limited (and then sold out) vegan options but as you can imagine I was a little perturbed when I returned for the end of the set. Rather than fight the crowd we hung out partway back which showed just how into her the patrons were. Even in the limited five songs she showed off her vocals, sultry at times, and guitar work, as well as the solid work of her multicultural band with their big drums. The Sharon, Lois and Bram-esque actions to the one song were rather obnoxious but it proved how she had the crowd eating out of her hand even before Stompa and that bank commercial song (What I Wouldn't Do).

Juno Concert Series with Arkells, Beauties, The Order of Good Cheer (Horseshoe Tavern, March 3)

If it was an Arkells show that you'd signed up for that wasn't at all what you got, however in many ways this was more special, and undeniably more unique. This evening at the Horseshoe was a chance to pay reverence to Canadian musicians of yesteryear, or even yestermonth - as tributes reigned supreme and surprise guests arrived in bundles.

Rock me gently, rock me slowly
Up first was the Toronto band The Order of Good Cheer, including an all-white donning Serena Ryder's husband. It was no surprise when she arrived on song two for some guest vocals and stuck around for much of this fully enjoyable set rooted firmly in rock and roll. Tom Darcy also grabbed a mic for a couple songs including Rock Me Gently. Contemporary covers from Jason Collett's mouth were Weakerthans Sun in an Empty Room and Metric's Gold Guns Girls. Kevin Drew of BSS fame played a non-eyewear related Corey Hart song. The highlight came as Billy Talent's main man, Ben Kowalaweicz, tore apart a song and band I'd never even heard before. Surfing on Heroine by the Forgotten Rebels was undeniably punk with a very tangible surfer feel. Excellent way to close the set off.

It may have been for a mere one song, solo, but any chance to witness Ron Sexsmith play is a fortunate chance.

This ain't nothing new to me - well it's just like going home
The six members of the Beauties went straight into Juno territory with Guess Who's Guns Guns Guns (Godspeed Mother Nature) before inviting renowned Toronto musician Ian Blurton out to rip some guitar strings, slag the audience and sing from beyond the beard Weeping Widow. Man of the moment Afie Jurvasen aka Bahamas, replaced Ian on the guest mic next and then gave way to local member of parliament, Andrew Cash. Cash's vocals were fine but the song choice was one I was unaware of and even with Maya Davis of Ladies of the Canyon also guesting, it was a bit of a yawn. The lull continued for me as members of the respected (but boring IMHO) Skydiggers came out. The set was rescued by one of the greatest Canadian songs ever written (my personal bias now bleeds apparent) Hasn't Hit Me Yet originally by Blue Rodeo of course, sung this time partially by NQ Arbuckle's Neville, but primarily by the Horseshoe sellout crowd. Kevin Drew returned for a song about the last night in the city that sounded right up his alley and apparently is one he's been performing with the Beauties for years anyway. Another Skydiggers song closed out the middle frame.

Can I Get a Witness??
Originally I'd thought the billing was as an Arkells set, and having missed their much adored last tour I was hoping for at least a partial set but it wasn't to be. What came in its place was nothing to be disappointed about however. From the top their enthusiasm for the night, for the songs they'd be singing and the artists they'd be sharing the stage with was infectious. A contemporary classic began in BSS' Cause = Time, given justice by Born Ruffian vocalist Luke Lalonde's vocals. From the same approximate era they dug into an Extraordinary Joel Plaskett tune crooned by Emm Gryner as well as Max Herman. By Divine Right were represented next before a slew of guests arrived on stage. Among them were Cuff the Duke's Wayne Petti, LOTC Maya Davis again (she made her presence felt much of the night) a touring member of City and Colour, and the violin flourish of the Great Lake Swimmers' female player. Why such a large contingency? Attempting to give the second Neil Young song of the night a proper sound requires it, and Harvest Moon succeeded because of it. Wayne stuck around for a marvelous Future Hangs from his main band. My personal highlight came in the form of OLP's 4am that featured Jeremy Taggart, as well as Dave Monks and Graham Wright from Tokyo Police Club. That compact disc, Clumsy, was the soundtrack to my generation's musical awakening, as evidenced by the ensuing singalong. Mr. Popular (Drew) returned to complete the trifecta alongside Maya for The Dears You and I Are a Gang of Losers. Probably the closest thing we'd get to an Arkells song was when they alone ripped out Young Offenders by the Cons from who they've obviously picked up the torch in many ways.

Cuz when the feeling's right...
This is all too much really. The display of talent - not only physically on display but also in the songs written by Juno contenders throughout the ages - was simply awesome. How do you wrap this up? Go with the insanely popular crowd pleasers. First get Gord Sinclair and Paul Langois on stage to perform early years Hip classic, Grace Too. Boy did that go off! Untoppable? Try bringing the house down by bringing the Beauties back out for none other than Bryan Adams' Run To You.

Canadian music was rightfully put on display this evening, and it shone bright.