Posts: 37
Threads: 2
Joined: Apr 2016
Reputation:
0
I saw that yesterday and thought it was excellent. Congrats
Posts: 932
Threads: 34
Joined: Apr 2009
Reputation:
0
It's not easy to sum up the Hip's career in 8 minutes. You did an admirable job.
I've always thought that if the SNL gig had happened one album earlier things might have turned out differently in the US for the Hip. Grace, Too and Nautical Disaster are not songs that quickly penetrate the cortex. And there is really nothing on DFN that is instantly "catchy" so I don't think they could have done better by picking another two off of that album. However, a pairing of 50 MC and Wheat Kings or Courage and 100th or Fully and Locked two years earlier might have piqued the interest of enough listeners to shift some units in the Boise, Idaho and Wichita, Kansas record shops and gain some forward momentum in the US. I'm not suggesting these are better songs, but I am fairly confident in saying that if you've got one chance for a "defining moment", these are the songs that would have give them their best shot.
It was also interesting that you pointed out Dan Aykroyd's overbearing introduction. While I appreciate that it took a big push from him to get the Hip on the show, the band would have been better served with a more understated introduction. I also wonder if, in the spirit of trying to break in the US, the Hip would have been better off not being introduced as having been from Canada. Watching a 1989 interview of Paul and Gord on Much this morning Paul states that the Canadian artists that Americans love, like Neil Young and Joni Mitchell, and the Band, they tend to think of as their own. No need for the Hip to hide their national identity, but also not necessary to wrap yourself in a flag.
Finally, has anyone ever seen more of that footage from the Crazy Horse in Dartmouth (at about 2:08 in the video)? Looks like multi-camera footage circa 87/88. Would love that to see the light of day.
Posts: 39
Threads: 4
Joined: Sep 2007
Reputation:
0
Great Video !
Well done writing !
Posts: 39
Threads: 4
Joined: Sep 2007
Reputation:
0
watched it again.
Great job !!
