Favorite Concerts Of 2012

As 2012 comes to an end it is time to pick my favorite concerts I went to over the past year.

The first show that comes to mind when I think of the best show of the year has to be...

1.Leonard Cohen Nov.18th at Rexall Place, an awesome epic three and a half hour show.

Next would be the...

2.Joel Plaskett at the Winspear Centre April 19th, missed opener Frank Turner which was a bummer, but made up for it by getting to go backstage after the show and meeting Joel Plaskett and the band. An amazing night of music, and was so cool to meet Joel Plaskett. A fun fun evening.

This is tough to put my favorite shows in order, but will try to.

3.Neil Young and Crazy Horse with openers Los Lobos and The Sadies Nov.13th in Calgary at the Saddledome was a wicked triple bill not to be missed. Best triple bill of the year.

4.Puscifer at the Jubilee Auditorium Mar.18th, this was one weird ass show. Maynard Keenan of Tool at his strangest.

5.Paul McCartney at Rexall Place Nov.29th, Paul making his first ever appearances in Edmonton. Managed to get tickets for the second of two sold out shows. Another oldtimer putting on a three hour concert. Excellent!!!

6.Bob Dylan in Lloydminster,Saskatchewan Aug.10th, Bob playing outdoors. I never tire of seeing Bob Dylan live.

7.Deer Tick and the Turbo Fruits at the Starlite Room June 2nd, great to finally get to see Deer Tick and at an excellent venue too.

8.Roger Waters at Rexall Place May 28th, Roger performing The Wall in its entirety, the first of two sold out shows in Edmonton. How does this show end up in eighth place you ask. I saw this show in Vancouver two years ago, so this was my second time.Could easily be in the top three. Still an amazing show.

9.The Bronx opening for Refused at the Edmonton Events Centre Aug.25th. A great double bill, I was so stoked to see The Bronx, all out punk rock show.Good stuff.

10.Metallica at Rexall Place Aug.18th,the second of two sold out shows.A fun night of metal.

Should be a top ten list only but I am not able to stop at ten.

11.Bombchan opening for A Bunch Of Marys at New City Legion, two great local bands, but have to say Bombchan stole the show on this night. First time seeing Bombchan, but surely will not be my last.

12.Leeroy Stagger at the Pawn Shop Mar.15th, Leeroy rocked the joint on this night to a way too small of audience. Didn't stop him from putting on a wicked show.

13.Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros at Edmonton Events Centre Sept.18th. A fun night of hippy music.

So many good shows once again this year, its hard to pick a top ten. Honorable mentions go to Bob Dylan in Edmonton, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Deep Purple, Mike Plume, Rush, Band Of Skulls, Buddy Guy, Anvil, Whitehorse, Murder By Death, Van Halen and Black Keys.

Looking forward to seeing what happens in 2013. Good times!!!

Watch for favorite albums of 2012 list coming soon.

Song Of the Day Dec.24th (Diamond Rugs)

Today's song of the day is yet another song from the debut album by Diamond Rugs, one of my favorite albums of the year. I thought the song was appropriate for the time of year. It is a song called "Christmas In A Chinese Restaurant". Hope you like it. And a Merry Christmas to all!!!

Yukon Blonde at Permanent Records Dec.13th 2012

Yesterday after work I made my way to the local record shop Permanent Records (8126-103st Edmonton) to catch Vancouver based band Yukon Blonde play an acoustic set. Yukon Blonde are on tour promoting their new album "Tiger Talk" opening for the Sheepdogs. Both bands will be playing at the Edmonton Events Centre tonite Dec.14th.

I had never heard any of Yukon Blonde's music before but thought I would checkout the show as Permanent Records is close to home. It was nice to see a good turnout for the show for a change. The band did a short 4 song acoustic set that I was quite impressed with. Lead singer Jeff Innes with Brandon Scott and Graham Jones doing background vocals all sounded geat , they had great harmonies and good guitar skills. I would be very interested to hear them play electric in a bar setting, I am thinking that would be a show well worth checking out.

I was impressed enough that I picked up their album "Tiger Talk" from the band. The record was released on Dine Alone Records and should be available at your local record shop.

Mike Plume at the Haven Social Club Dec.11th 2012

Last night I went to the Mike Plume show at the Haven Social Club here in Edmonton. This was my sixth time seeing Mike Plume in concert, and second time seeing him play solo. Mike had a great turnout for the show too which was good to see, especially it being on a Tuesday night.

As per usual Mike put on an excellent show covering lots of material from his career through out his two hour performance. Lots of stories mixed with humour and some wicked songs, great lyrics and guitar playing. Mike is a very underrated guitar player,or so I think anyways.

Some of the highlights for me was hearing him do a few tunes I have never heard him play before. A festive song "Merry Xmas To My Ex Miss" this tune got some good laughs from the audience. Also hearing him do the song "Keeping Time With The Telephone Poles" from his 2009 album 8:30 Newfoundland album, a song he doesn't seem to perform often, or at least the times I have seen him play. Mike also played a new tune called "Five Crow Silver" in which Clayton Bellamy joined him on stage to sing with. Sounds like Clayton helped Mike finish writing this song, a song Mike said he had been trying to finish for 3 years. Clayton Bellamy whom also hails from Bonnyville ,Alberta which is where Mike Plume spent a lot of time in his earlier years before moving down to Nashville, Tennessee. Both performers got a great round of applause from the heavily attended Bonnyville crowd. Mike also played a bunch of requests from the crowd, including "She Is Still Everything To Me", "Dimmagio", "Silver Lining", "Give A Little To Get A Little Back", "More Then A Game" and many more.

A fantastic night of music, it's always good to see Mike Plume who always takes the time to stop by and say hi to me, which means a lot. Thanks Mike!!! Good times!!!

Can't wait to hear some more new music and with any luck a new album.

Clayton Bellamy sitting in with Mike Plume.

Autographed Memorabilia

Thought I would show off a few autographed items I have purchased over the past few months. All three titles are albums I bought through pre-orders on the bands website. Unfortunately, I am not all that impressed with any of them.

The first one is Ryan Bingham's latest album called "Tomorrowland" that was released in September. The album is alright, but not near as good as his previous release "Junky Star" that came out in 2010. Ryan released "Tomorrowland" on his own record label Axster Bingham Records which is available through Ryan Bingham's website.

Here are a few tracks from the album "Tomorrowland". The first track in which I included the video is called "Guess Who's Knocking" I find the song to be pretty cheesy, sounds like something Kid Rock would do. The next song which is audio only is more like what I would expect from Ryan Bingham, this tune is called "The Road I'm On", now that's more like it.



The Road I'm On.

The second album is by Jeff Keith who is the lead singer in the rock band Tesla, a band that had some success in the late 80's and early 90's. I have always been a big fan of the band Tesla, so when I saw that Jeff was going to do a country album I was very intrigued to have a listen. Tesla were one of the first rock bands to do the unpugged thing, even before the unplugged sessions of the MTV era. Tesla released their live unplugged album called "The Five Man Acoustical Jam" in 1990 which was incredible, something I still listen to once in a while to this day.

The EP Jeff Keith just released is called "Jeff Keith and Country Music Friends" and was released on his own as well. The EP consists of six songs and some interviews at the end of the album. This is a straight up country album, not what I was expecting to be honest. This is no alt-country thing at all, this is old school country. What I did find interesting is the interviews at the end of the EP. Sounds like this whole project got started here in Edmonton,Alberta at West Edmonton Mall when Tesla played here back in 2005. Checkout the interview to understand what I am talking about.

I have included my favorite track "Life On The Road" from the EP and the interview.

Life On The Road.



The interview.

The last autographed album I am writing about today is the live album from Canadian reggae rockers Big Sugar. This is the first full length live album and DVD that Big Sugar has released. The album is called "Eliminate Ya Live" and just came out in the last month. It was recorded in Winnipeg, Manitoba at the Burton Cummings Theatre in November of 2011.

I am a huge fan of Gordie Johnson lead singer and guitar player of Big Sugar and his other band Grady. I have been following his music projects since the early 90's and have seen him many a times. And have got his autograph previously in person a few times. This album comes with both a CD and DVD, the DVD includes seven bonus tracks that are not on the CD. While I still enjoy Big Sugar, I do miss the bite and rocking blues that Big Sugar played in their earlier years. The DVD is just over a couple of hours long and is pretty damn good. I didn't much care for it the first time I watched it, but after seeing it a second time I appreciated it that much more. Highlights for me was the song "All Hell For A Basement", how could I not, it is after all about Alberta, also some of the old shit still rocks, songs like "Wild Ox Moan" and "Ride Like Hell". I just wish Big Sugar would play "I'm A Ram" live a little more often,I have always loved that song, and to me is what Big Sugar was about back in the day. I have included a track from the CD, the song "If Santa Don't Bring You No Funk" to get into the festive spirit.

If Santa Don't Bring You No Funk.



Now I plead with you Gordie Johnson for some new Grady music,PLEASE!!!

Peter Criss Book Review

While in Calgary a few weeks ago I picked up the Peter Criss autobiography "Makeup To Breakup" that just recently came out. I had heard that Peter Criss was writing a book, but was suprised to see on the book shelf already. So of course I had to have it.

I have now read books from every member of KISS except Paul Stanley, so I am sure he will have a book coming out soon. Especially if Paul read this book. Peter Criss of course used to be the drummer in the band KISS.

The first few chapters of the book is about Peter's upbringing in Brooklyn, New York. After his stories of his childhood, is when things really get interesting. Peter doesn't hold anything back in this book. Peter slings the dirt on everyone from all the members in KISS and the managers that managed the band through out their career. He goes onto call Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley bullies, to questioning Paul's sexuality, even slamming Ace Frehley, which surprised me. Seems to me Peter has burned all his bridges. My thinking was that Ace and Peter were always tight. But after reading this, that surely isn't true now.

Not to give too much away, this is a book definitely woth reading if you were or are a fan of KISS. Peter doesn't hold anything back, from the glory days of sex, drugs and rock n' roll, to his days of being broke,suicidal, marriages and fighting breast cancer. At times you feel sorry for Peter Criss and then at times he comes across as a whiny little bitch. The only success Peter has ever had was when he has been in KISS all his other music projects have been huge failures. Well I don't ever see that happening again. He would have to be kissing some major ass if he ever expects to get an invite to play in KISS again. In which I am sure he would do. If your looking for a book that actually has some dirt on KISS this is the read for you. It was a quick and easy read and well worth picking up.

Leeroy Stagger,John Wort Hannam and Dave McCann at the Blue Chair Cafe Nov.30th 2012

On Friday night my buddies Hurl,Buzzard,A-Bomb,Cuz and I went to the Blue Chair Cafe (9624_76ave) here in Edmonton for the Highway 3 Roots Revue which featured Leeroy Stagger,John Wort Hannam and Dave McCann. I had never been to this venue before and wasn't sure what to expect. It turned out be a decent place to see this kind of show with a capacity of about 75 people and every seat occupied. The show consisted of the three said musicians doing a singer/sonwriter circle kind of thing. Each member telling a story followed by a song, and around and around it went. All three musicians are based in Alberta and are excellent songwriters and guitar players. This was my fifth time seeing Leeroy Stagger perform and first time for both John Wort Hannam and Dave McCann. I was very impressed with all three of them. It was fun night of acoustic music and great lyrics and singing. My only complaint is that I was hoping to see all three of them play together,ala Crosby,Still and Nash. There was some background vocals done by the guys once in a while, but I really would have enjoyed hearing all three of them twang away together. They did it for the last song of the night, a Christmas song, not sure what the song was called or who wrote it, but it was one of the best Christmas songs I have ever heard, funny stuff it was. All and all this was an amazing night of music. Good times!!!

Leeroy Stagger.

Dave McCann.

All three musicians.

In Leeroy Stagger news... Leeroy will be teaming up again with Tim Easton and Evan Phillips for a follow up recording with the project ESP (Easton,Stagger,Phillips). Their last album from 2008 "One For The Ditch" was excellent. They start recording soon, I am looking forward to hearing some new stuff from these guys. Also...Leeroy mentioned at the show on Friday night that his wife is pregnant, congratulations to Leeroy and his wife!!!

Paul McCartney Live In Edmonton Nov.29th 2012

Thursday night my Sweetie Janis and I went and saw one of the Beatles in concert, yes Paul McCartney finally made his way up north to Edmonton for two sold out shows (15,000 fans) at Rexall Place. This was the first time for both of us seeing Sir Paul McCartney, this was the second Beatle I have seen in concert, having seen Ringo Starr in concert in 1989.

Janis was super excited about this show, with the Beatles being one of her all time favorite bands. As for me, I am a fan, and grew up hearing them from my parents playing Beatles records, and with that I have listened to them over the years. Hell, he is Sir Paul, when given the chance to see a classic like him, you really should go, so we did. Tickets were a bitch to get, but with lots of perseverance, I scored tickets three weeks before the show. Our tickets were for the second show.

After getting to our seats 20 minutes before show time, we ended having to wait another half hour later then what the tickets said. Sitting there watching the place fill up, I was looking at what kind of audience he was bringing in. It was a wide variety to say the least. Old timers in their 70's to parents with kids in the single digits. In our section, I was starting to think I was in the kiddies section or something, damn there were quite a few kids. But hey, better to expereince someone like Paul McCartney then some lug head like Justin Bieber, so kudos to the parents that brought their kids to a show like this. I was starting to get restless, nothing worse then waiting on someone, even if its Mr. McCartney, but by 8:30 he finally hit the stage to great applause. No opening act, just an evening with Paul McCartney.

First song of the night was the Beatles song "Hello, Goodbye", a great opener and very fitting. Which was a different opener from the night before, nice to see Paul switched up the setlist a bit from the previous night. I always like when a band mixes up there sets from night to night. Paul's back-up band was excellent too, with four others backing him up. Paul mixed it up with Beatles songs and Wings songs, I found the Wings songs to be a little heavier then I recalled listening to them on their album releases, so that was cool. And what can you say about the Beatles songs, well they always got the biggest responses, not that the Wings stuff didn't go over well too. I don't think Paul could do any wrong on this night. he had the audience in the palm of his hands for the whole three hours that they played. Paul gave shout outs to his fallen comrades George Harrison and John Lennon and even too Jimi Hendrix with Paul playing a bit of "Foxey Lady" at the end of the Wings song "Let Me Roll" it.

Paul McCartney also brought out the Edmonton Police Service Pipe Band to perform the Wings song "Mull Of Kintyre". The biggest sing-alongs of the night were for the Beatles song "Ob-La-Di,Ob-La-Da" and "Give Peace A Chance" and "Hey Jude", it was super cool to hear the whole audience sing-along with them two classics. Highlights for me were the songs "Drive My Car", "Let Me Roll It", "Blackbird", "Band On The Run", "A Day In The Life" and "Lady Madonna". One of the funniest moments for me in the show was the huge explosions of the flash pods during "Live And Let Die", I was expecting it having read about it in the review from the Wednesday night show, but for those who had no idea, them explosions had more then a few people jump out of their seats,including Janis and the big lady sitting on the other side of me, I thought the lady next to me was gonna jump on to my lap, which wouldn't have been a good thing,lol. Paul has got a lot of stamina for a man that is seventy years old, he played for three straight hours with no intermissions, no solos from the other band members in which paul could sneak off for a break, it was just one song after another. Paul seemed to really be enjoying himself through out the show, which is always nice to see. He was in great humour and very humble, he didn't come off as some big rock star, yet the man is probably one of the biggest stars in the world. After thirty-eight songs in his three hour set, I felt like I could have stayed and listened for another three hours, the night just flew by. After the show I was sitting at home thinking about the show and the songs I wish I could have heard, there is no doubt he could have played another three hours and you still wouldn't have heard everything you wanted. All and all an amzing night of music. Good times!!!

Setlist for Paul McCartney Nov.29th in Edmonton.


Hello, Goodbye
Junior's Farm
All My Loving
Jet
Drive My Car
Sing the Changes
The Night Before
Let Me Roll It/Foxey Lady
Paperback Writer
The Long and Winding Road
Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five
My Valentine
Maybe I'm Amazed
Things We Said Today
And I Love Her
Blackbird
Here Today
Dance Tonight
Mrs. Vandebilt
Eleanor Rigby
Something
Band on the Run
Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da
Back in the U.S.S.R.
I've Got a Feeling
A Day in the Life/Give Peace A Chance
Let It Be
Live and Let Die
Hey Jude

Encore:
Lady Madonna
Wonderful Christmastime
Day Tripper
Get Back

Encore 2:
Yesterday
Mull of Kintyre
Golden Slumbers
Carry That Weight
The End

Here is a video that I shot at the show.



Pictures from the show.

T-shirt from show front.

Back of t-shirt.

November was one hell of a month for concerts by some of the most important musicians still alive. Having seen Neil Young with Crazy Horse, Leonard Cohen and Paul McCartney all in the last month.