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direwolf74 Wrote:I still love these guys as songwriters, and NFPA is a great album. But their current live show is in serious disrepair. Gord needs to rediscover the virtues of singing in key, and they need to show their back catalogue some much needed love.
This. I agree with all of this. Gord needs his hotel voice in the live shows. If that's gone, please stop playing shows. Fix the live show and it's still on like Donkey Kong.
Jeff
June 21, 2003 Toronto, ON: SkyDome
July 1, 2004 Toronto, ON: Molson Amphitheatre
November 26, 2004 Toronto, ON: Air Canada Centre
June 24, 2006 Toronto, ON: Historic Fort York
May 10, 2007 Indianapolis, IN: The Vogue
July 14, 2011 Edmonton, AB: Northlands Festival Site
June 30, 2012 Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON: The Commons at Butler's Barracks
January 23, 2013 Edmonton, AB: Rexall Place
July 28, 2016 Edmonton, AB: Rexall Place
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Tons of people bagging on Gord...sure maybe not some of his best work at shows I don't know I don't do festivals anymore so I can't say but I am sure not disappointed because we all know whats coming at the summer shows, unfortunately the summer gigs are probably not for us hardcores...going back to Gord I say he deserves a little slack come on he had a bad couple years or so with what his wife went through, hell not sure if other people going through that would have come back so soon or at all...My other favourite band is U2 so if the Hip take some time off in between I am fine with it just like U2 does...maybe then you will all be begging for the return...I am just enjoying what comes my way from them because they are not getting any younger and can't go on forever!
want to be a nobody without peer
want to be a thought that's never done
want to shake your faith in human nature
want to break the hearts of everyone
want to be your wheezing screen door
want to be your stars of Algonquin
want to be your roaring floorboard
want to break the hearts of everyone
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I get why some people are disappointed with the last few months worth of shows, but I still think this band is doing some great things. NFPA is one of their best albums, period. Their U.S. tour was amazing. Maybe the last 6 months have truly been "off", but are we really going to write these guys off after all they have done? That seems a little extreme.
Maybe when they release their next album (which I can't wait for), and their whole tour is greatest hits plus a handful of new songs, with Gord singing poorly throughout, we can, MAYBE, start to judge them. People were complaining about the setlist for the Syracuse show as being too "greatest hits", and they played Gus, Greasy Jungle, Flamenco, Fire in the Hole, Eldorado, even Escape (which I know they played a lot this tour, but it's still not a "greatest hit"). That was an awesome show, and it just goes to show that some people will complain no matter what.
Let's appreciate these guys for the great music they have put out for the last 20 years, and their live shows which have been great. I've seen them 19 times and every show has been top notch. Maybe we should just cut them some slack?
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I am also going to post my review of Gord Downie in Buffalo last night in support of him being able to still sing.
mayby the band as a whole needs to change things up a bit (setlists and arrangements) to make things a little more
interesting for Gord. That's what he did last night...
Review...
What a great evening. Short but fantastic!!
Cool room , clear sound, and Gord was so comfortable in that setting, and was right on.
He spoke for about 5 minutes between each song about the problems the lakes are
facing , and what we can do to help. He told stories and read quotes , and it was really
interesting , he is such a great story teller. I would have been happy just listening to him speak.
He was joined on stage by another musician (Josh) who played bass, guitar, piano, on various songs and backing vocals
on Morning Moon. I have seen The Hip over 30 times , and Gord Downie with the Country of Miracles 3 times, but never
Downie like this. What a treat.
I have heard Bobcaygeon so many times , but never like this. Gord played guitar, and Josh played piano.
It was also arranged differently. Best version I have heard, and It was awesome to hear it done that way. Vancouver Divorce was great,
they were all great. Take away the huge outdoor shows where Gord seems to get distracted, and tries to sing over all the fans singing along with him, and Boy he can still sing. His vocals were great tonight. Was great to be reassured tonight that he is just fine, and
in good spirits , and able to sing in key. Was a little worried on this last tour , but never lost faith.
Great job tonight Gord!!!!
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Before IBE came out the band made a statement that this new record was to have a bit of a road apples feel to it. Gord has been in steady decline as a writer and performer for many years. I have always followed the band and purchase every record. None of the past few records really grab me. WATS was a complete disaster.
At one time it was chocked up as the band maturing and trying new things. Every band should do that and many do so successfully. The Hip have not been successful in doing so. Gord has gone off into places that don't fit with the rest of the band. The band without Gord would be really fun to hear and watch. They still have the chops. Listen to Paul's new song with Robbie on lead. That's good stuff.
When Gord cut his first solo record I thought he might just get this other side of his creative mind out of the way. It didn't. He brought it back to the hip and continued to poison a really tremedous rock band.
Now that the live experience isn't worth the trip well....
In my opinion it's time for a lengthy Hiatus. These are really talented guys that could play with anyone and keep making great music. If they want to. A lot of bands take time to go in different directions and find real magic when they decide to regroup.
I really honestly see Paul as the real pro in the band at this point. He's motivated. And he's learned a lot over the years. More so than any other band member. He will keep making good music no matter what.
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you mean like a sabbatical?
In recent times, "sabbatical" has come to mean any extended absence in the career of an individual in order to achieve something. In the modern sense, one takes sabbatical typically to fulfill some goal, e.g., writing a book or travelling extensively for research. Some universities and other institutional employers of scientists, physicians, and/or academics offer the opportunity to qualify for paid sabbatical as an employee benefit, called sabbatical leave. Some companies offer unpaid sabbatical for people wanting to take career breaks; this is a growing trend in the United Kingdom, with 20% of companies having a career break policy, and a further 10% considering introducing one.
The Hip will always do whatever it takes. Do not worry so much. All is presented, or present, before you....just fine.
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I completely and respectfully disagree that WC,WATS and NFPA are more Gord solo sounding. I firmly believe the albums are total band efforts. Those albums are every bit appealing to me as DFN or RA. If you listen to the entire catalog, there is a natural progression and maturity. If Bob Rock or even Gavin Brown had produced IBE the difference would be in the vocals. That album wouldn't be such an outcast...
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Escape@Hand Wrote:The Hip should work with Adam Kasper again. :thumb:
Yeah, I don't think so. To quote Rob Baker: "In Violet Light is probably the bands weakest effort"
"We're forced to bed, but we're free to dream"
Dana
