I think this band is playing as well as I have ever heard them play.
Gord's vocals have come full circle. What I call his "channeling of Dylan" seems to have passed. Turns out, it was an affectation, and not a sign of aging. Who'da thunk it?
Speaking of "channeling" - Johnny was channeling the late great Kieth Moon throughout Kitchener #2, to AMAZING results. What he brings to the table in a live setting is just jaw dropping. In my opinion by FAR the most underrated band member. His playing on this tour has been spectacular.
And the rest of the guys...they're playing these obscure tunes as if they've been playing them since they were released. That version of Throwing Off Glass was chilling. Amazing, amazing stuff. And the acoustic numbers! That version of Flamenco from Kitchener 2 = best flamenco EVER, in my book. This Bryson fella was gorgeous on that song. Where was Jim Bryson in 2000? IMO, he's playing circles around Chris Brown. Adding a texture to those songs that is just spectacular.
GREAT stuff. Every show is a can't-miss torrent download. Hasn't been like this for years with me (since IVL era). Keep it up, boys. This tour is shaping up to be one for the ages!
briansmccabe Wrote:Speaking of "channeling" - Johnny was channeling the late great Kieth Moon throughout Kitchener #2, to AMAZING results. What he brings to the table in a live setting is just jaw dropping. In my opinion by FAR the most underrated band member. His playing on this tour has been spectacular.
I actually took my step dad to the show on Wed. He'd never seen them and is certainly a classic, hard rock kinda guy. He likes the Hip but only to hear them on the radio.
The comment he made to me at intermission was how good Johnny is and how the whole band just seems to feed off him and how their timing is spot on.
I agree with you - they are in top form and Johnny is just plain awesome.
I have to say, Bobby was particularly rockin' on Wed too. Great, great stuff.
Nice post!
briansmccabe Wrote:That version of Throwing Off Glass was chilling. Amazing, amazing stuff. And the acoustic numbers! That version of Flamenco from Kitchener 2 = best flamenco EVER, in my book.
Any single vids of these? I don't have the tracker/torrent thing going yet.
I'll second all of mccabe's comments... the musicianship has been terrific so far. I've been excited to see how they're mixing up the acoustic sets... I'll be honest, on night 1, I was excited to hear the bear - second performance ever, but when they launched into Wheat Kings second I turned to my wife & gave a sarcastic "Wow, Wheat Kings acoustic...". Don't get me wrong, I was excited for the song... but an acoustic version of Wheat Kings isn't exactly a stretch.
But then I had to eat my words when they launched into Fireworks next, and they've continued to mix it up w/ M@W, and what not... I like seeing (hearing) the different arrangements.
But it's not just the acoustic set. I was enthralled by Bobbie's playing on Night 1 here in K/W. Couldn't keep my eyes off the guy - and it's not just the hair! And Johnny's drumming really came thru too. Agree that he's significantly underrated. Maybe his playing has just really come a long way since the early years, but he really does deserve more recognition....
Anyways... I just have to figure out how many more shows I can afford to attend...
boot Wrote:Anyways... I just have to figure out how many more shows I can afford to attend...
Exactly.
For the love of god you guys......I can't take reading all of this until the end of the month here in Detroit!!! I'm going to have to round up more friends who havent seen them before and break them in... this looks like the BEST tour ever... Is there another band out there (other than PJ) who can do this 25+ years into their careers????
It has been so much fun reading hipbase over the last several weeks especially the last several days! :thumb: :thumb:
spottrax Wrote:... Is there another band out there (other than PJ) who can do this 25+ years into their careers????
I wonder this SAME thing during and after every show. Gives me a sense of pride.
I agree with the fact Mr. Fay is highly underated.
Im not a drummer (excluding rockband) but I find the way he keeps even basic drumlines and beats very creative. During world container on the 3rd kitchener show I was really impressed and wondered why he didnt drum like that on the album.
There are usually one or two songs that I am not that into, and I just watch Johnny do his thing. So sick. :thumb:
I think the band and the setlists have been great, but I really don't think Bryson has added much. From what I saw, he seemed to just sit there for too many of their older songs, and on some of the newer songs, like Honey Please, he's too much the focal point...
But yeah, he looks bored and doesn't seem to contribute much to most of pre WATS stuff, but I guess I just have to see a set with the right songs... Who knows
BDS28 Wrote:But yeah, he looks bored and doesn't seem to contribute much to most of pre WATS stuff,
Well, he did say about dealing with the fans and touring with The Hip "The freak show has begun"
BDS28 Wrote:I think the band and the setlists have been great, but I really don't think Bryson has added much. From what I saw, he seemed to just sit there for too many of their older songs, and on some of the newer songs, like Honey Please, he's too much the focal point...
But yeah, he looks bored and doesn't seem to contribute much to most of pre WATS stuff, but I guess I just have to see a set with the right songs... Who knows
Judging from his interview on CBC radio, he plays on just about everything. The band even asked him to contribute his own setlist, which they ended up playing on the first night. From the sounds of things they've got him very much involved in the process. As an extra musician, his job is to pretty much hang in the back, do his thing and not be too flashy I guess. I know that he's a very humble and quiet guy and doesn't like the spotlight much anyways, so that probably suits him just fine. This is his first time playing with these guys too, so he might be a little nervous. Perhaps he'll stand out a little more as the tour progresses.
Tthip Wrote:BDS28 Wrote:But yeah, he looks bored and doesn't seem to contribute much to most of pre WATS stuff,
Well, he did say about dealing with the fans and touring with The Hip "The freak show has begun"
On the 2000 tour, Chris Brown talked about how much fun it was to tour with them, and that it was "like being on a pirate ship."
LOL pirate ship?!
Gift shop intro on kitch 3rd date was pretty sweet
shaping up to be there best tour ever ... not only are the setlists unreal, the band has never sounded more on... coudlnt agree more with all of you... JB sounds solid, and def adds a needed dimension to many songs
Having seen Jim Bryson play w/ Kathleen Edwards and having seen the Danforth show, he's very much a mellow singer-songwriter kind of guy generally, but watching him rock Tiger like a B**ch at the Danforth show, he can rock it out when he feels it adds to the music. I'm not a fan of Tiger the Lion on the album, but I was blown away by it at the Danforth show.