John Mayer “The Complete 2012 Performances Collection – EP”

In May 2012, John Mayer released his fifth studio album Born and Raised. The album was a “back to basics” album, featuring prominently acoustic guitar, rather than Mayer’s usual electric guitar. This was also the last time Mayer sang vocally before enduring throat problems and have to postpone his tour to promote the album. Personally, this is my favourite album of Mayer’s, it represents a new ERA of his career.  Each album Mayer releases just gets better and better – musically and lyrically. Shortly after the successful release of Born and Raised, Mayer released The Complete 2012 Performances Collection – EP. This unplugged acoustic album consisted of five songs from B & R. Just Mayer and his Martin (guitar), could you ask for more?

The album kicks off with a funky fresh version of Something Like Olivia. This is also the only song off Mayer’s Born and Raised album that is primarily electric guitar based. The unplugged version of this 3 chord progression is a hit. Mayer sings it with great soul and adds a soft finger-picked solo that really lightens up the song.

The second song off the album is the second single Mayer released off Born and Raised called Queen of California. This song has a unique country twang sounding finger picking pattern that perfectly captures the feelings and emotions of a lonely soul on the road, which is how Mayer described himself during the writing of the album. It takes the listener to distant lands where they can be free and detached from reality. Mayer sings “Jodi wrote Blue in her house by the sea, I gotta believe there’s another colour waiting on me”. This of course, refers to Joni Mitchell’s song titled Blue. Mayer is saying that there is got to be something out there for him, still waiting to be found. A great song to feature on the album which offers a simplistic yet passionate melody that has me listening to it over and over again.

The next three songs off the album are Speak for Me and Shadow Days and Go Easy On Me. I group these songs together because to me all three songs represent similar feelings and idees. Both songs are strongly written pieces about independence and moving onto to better days. This is in reference to back in 2010 when Mayer made some comments that got him into hot water with fans and the press. These songs speak of moving on and changing ways. Which is exactly what Mayer did in 2010, selling his LA home to move to a ranch in Montana, where it is said that this was the place he wrote most of the songs featured on Born and Raised.

Overall, the album is great! Throughout the five song EP you really hear the raw sound resonating from Mayer’s acoustic guitar. You hear the tapping of his fingers on the strings, the rustling of his clothes alongside the guitar top. It gives the whole set a unique organic sound, which is perfect for the genre he is trying to represent. Add all this skilled yet soulful guitar work in with soft emotional vocals and you got one hell of an album. I give The Complete 2012 Performances Collection 5 out of 6 strings (pun). Mayer just doesn’t pay the songs unplugged, he adds in great chord progressions and tasty solos that give the songs a different feel and sound from how they sound on B & R. I highly recommend giving this 5 EP album a listen and maybe consider picking up an acoustic of your own to pluck along!

The Complete 2012 Performances Collection – EP

Something Like Olivia

Queen of California

Speak For Me

Shadow Days

Go Easy On Me

The Bootlegs Interview

Recently I had the opportunity to chat with London indie-rock band The Bootlegs to talk to them about their upcoming album release. I sat down with Brady Burke (guitar/vocals) and Andrew Oliver (vocals/synth). I actually know the two quite well. Burke and Oliver are also attending Western, enrolled in the Faculty of Information and Media Studies (FIMS). Due to the soon to be released album from Burke and Oliver, I figured what better way to catch up? Full interview below:

T: When do you form The Bootlegs?

Burke: Andrew and I shared a house last year, we started to play wit the idea of writing some songs, we had never really collaborated before – at least to perform original material. We wrote a couple of songs and came up with five that we really put a lot into over the past six months.

T: So the entire album took you six months?

Burke: Yes that’s about right, give or take. We started in March but as the story goes, school took up a lot of our time. It was in the summer when we really got into the studio and got stuff done.

T: What is the album called by the way?

Oliver: It’s called Knock Me Down.

T: What are your musical influences?

Oliver: Me and Brady both had similar musical influences, growing up together and both playing guitar. I would say the Red Hot Chili Peppers without a doubt, The Strokes, The Black Keys, Kings of Leon, Foster The People, that’s our stuff.

T: What is coming up for the Bootlegs?

Oliver: Well, we have the single coming out on November 10th, then a week after we will be releasing the album. We have a few gigs in the works, but nothing is set in stone. It’s tough to correlate all of our schedules, but that’s kind of the fun about it too. Hopefully, if all goes well, we can begin on our next album soon. Again, if all goes well.

T: So how does the process of writing the songs work for you guys? Does Andrew solely write the lyrics and Brady composes instrumentals for it? What comes first, lyrics or music?

Burke: Generally Andrew writes the lyrics, because I can’t, and he will come up with the main melody. After he has that, I try to add in lead guitar work that will pull the song together so we can really groove it. So far it’s worked out great, I’m proud of what we’ve done and I can’t wait for everyone to hear it.

T: I appreciate the time guys, good luck on the upcoming album release!

Burke: Thank you!

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band at Copps Coliseum, October 21st 2012

It was a cold evening on the night of October 21st in Hamilton, Ontario. I had taken the train back that Sunday from London just in time to grab quick “pre-show” dinner and head into Hamilton to see Bruce Springsteen and the famous E-Street band! It was 2009 since Bruce had last been to town. I had seen him then and after the show I promised myself if he ever came back, I would be there. That night it was a Bernier family affair. My uncle was taking his two daughters, son and wife. My aunt was taking her daughter, and obviously my dad was taking me. That’s one aspect of Bruce that any rock fan can admire, his show appeals to all audiences. The man can entertain a whole family for 3+ hours, and that is in fact just what he did. Not surprising for someone who is known as the Boss.

The show started a little later than planned, the arena filled up slower than usual. The original start time was supposed to be 8:00, but Bruce came on closer to 9 o’clock. The lights went down and the arena starting to roar. The beginning of concerts always evoke the most excitement in me, it’s a weird feeling. You have been waiting for this day, this moment and then it finally comes. Kind of like Christmas morning, but for adults. As the E-Street band walks onto the stage you knew that the Boss would be last. It was good to see the E-Street band again, the powerful and highly skilled Max Weinburg on drums, the ever so entertaining sidekick guitarist Lil Steven. This was also the first tour Bruce would go on without Clarence Clemons, the saxophone player who had toured with Bruce since his first record, Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. Although the show would not lack The Big Man’s spirit (Clarence Clemons) as his nephew and also talented saxophone player Jake Clemons would assume his role.

The show began in typical Bruce fashion, not wasting anytime and immediately counting Max into My Love Will Not Let You Down.

Bruce continually played off the audience during the show, walking through the crowd and onto a middle stage (located in the middle of the arena) where he could give the fans seated at the back of the arena a closer view. That’s one of the best parts about a Bruce Springsteen concert, he rarely ever remains static at the microphone. He is constantly making use of the stage and performing to every single person in the crowd – front, back, and sides. My father and I were beside the stage and there would be times when Bruce would wonder to side of the stage and literally sing to our section, the man sure knows how to entertain!

After a solid opening number Bruce wasted no time launching into Out in the Street and then Hungry Heart at which at one point in the song he falls backwards into the crowd and hovers on top of many helping hands from the middle of the arena to the stage. Pretty amazing for a guy approaching 64 years of age.

After about 5 or 6 songs in, Bruce finally takes a moment to talk to the crowd. He does the usual
musician cliche’ quote, “it’s great to be in (insert city here) tonight!” at which point the crowd goes nuts. Bruce tells us how his wife is at home taking care of the kids, making sure they don’t burn the house down, which gets a laugh from the audience.  Bruce looks back at Max who gives him the assuring nod (meaning the band was ready for the next few songs) , Bruce then count’s in and off they go!

Bruce was a lot more interactive with the audience from what I remember from the show I saw in 2009. During Waitin’ on a Sunny Day Bruce invited on a young teenage girl onto the stage  to sing the chorus, it was probably one of the most happiest things I have ever seen. The girl was nervous but surprisingly had a good voice. It was great to see Bruce acknowledge his young fans, seeing as how he now plays to his generations children as well. If only he would pull me on stage…

The show closed with two encore songs, Dancing in the Dark and my personal favorite Tenth Avenue Freeze Out. The show lasted an excess of 3 hours. The Boss once again did not cease to surpass my expectations. It was hands down one of, if not the best concerts I have ever seen – and I have seen to many to count.

A great night, a great show and a great musician. Bruce continuously empties the tank for his fans for his love of what he does. I will continue to see this master performer every time I can in the future. It’s one show where you truly get what you pay for, every dollar, every cent you paid is worth it – and that in itself is priceless.

Setlist

My Love Will Not Let You Down

Out in the Street

Hungry Heart

We Take Care of Our Own

Wrecking Ball

Death to My Hometown

My City of Ruins

Spirit in the Night

Does This Bus Stop at 82nd Street?

Jack of All Trades

Trapped (Jimmy Cliff cover)

I’m Goin’ Down

She’s the One

Because the Night

Working on the Highway

Shackled and Drawn

Waitin’ on a Sunny Day

Terry’s Song

The Rising

Badlands

Land of Hope and Dreams

I’m a Rocker

Born to Run

Rosalita

Dancing in the Dark

Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out

Neil Young at Budweiser Gardens, October 6th 2012

On Thanksgiving weekend I had the chance to witness, in person, the man, the legend, Neil Young. On October 6th of (Canadian) Thanksgiving weekend, I went to see Neil Young (with Crazy Horse) to promote their new album Americana.

The show began right at 8 o’clock with Neil and the band stepping onto the stage to a full house of yelling 90’s grunge rock middle aged fans. A Canadian flag was rolled down behind the stage to hang as O’Canada was played through the speakers with Neil and the band singing, the song finished and the flagged dropped, this was the cue for the show to start.

I was never fully into Neil Young. I didn’t really get into his music until his recent album Le Noise which was released in 2010. I did know a few Neil Young hits however (Old Man, Cinnamon Girl, Powderfinger, Keep on Rockin’ in the Free World, My My Hey Hey). My knowledge of the Neil Young repertoire didn’t extend beyond ten songs. But that was okay, I had my die-hard Neil Young fan father right beside to enlighten me on the song titles.

I must say, for a man approaching 66 years of age, Neil sure can rock. Neil managed to stretch out each song to 10 minutes a piece. At some moments during the show I would actually wonder when the song would end. Neil would go on for minutes on end, whaling on the guitar, using all sorts of distortion to fill the arena with eerie sound effects. I looked at my dad and he was laughing, “that’s so Neil!” he yelled in my ear.

Before I knew, Neil was already five songs in. Ending each song and going right into the next. What I noticed about this concert that is different about others I have seen in the past is that Neil did not waste much time between songs. The shyness I witnessed through YouTube video’s of a young 20-year-old Neil were evidently still present. He barely spoke throughout, only briefly to introduce himself and the band and small introductions before a select few of songs. Maybe in his older years Neil didn’t like to talk a lot, maybe he was tired, I don’t know. What I do know however is there was an empty seat in the arena. It’s evident that Neil has quite the fan following in London, Ontario.

For only three mobile musicians on stage (excluding drummer Ralph Molina) they sure took up a lot of space. This can be attributed to the massive phony Fender amplifiers that were on stage. The amps (novelty) actually were concealing the much smaller real amps underneath. This is not the first time Neil has done this, it can be seen on the Live Rust album cover from the 70’s and Neil’s most recent tour with Crazy Horse in the 90’s. At the front of the stage was a oversized novelty microphone as well. Although cool-looking, it did present an obstructed view for anyone who was in the general admissions area close to the stage.

The show lasted a total of about 2 hours. I thoroughly enjoyed the show, not as much as my dad of course. It was nice to be able to see a Canadian legend playing some songs that have been around my then me. Overall great fans, a great venue and great act which makes going home for Thanksgiving for only one day worthwhile.

Setlist

1. Love and Only Love
2. Powderfinger
3. Born in Ontario
4. Walk Like a Giant
5. The Needle and the Damage Done (acoustic)
6. Twisted Road
7. Ramada Inn
8. Cinnamon Girl
9. Fuckin’ Up
10. Psychedelic Pill
11. Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black)
12. Encore:
13. Mr. Soul
14. Roll Another Number

Peter Gabriel at the Air Canada Center, September 19

I must admit, after being a long Genesis fan (5 or more years), I can’t really call myself a true fan until I see the man himself, Peter Gabriel. Although the band reached high success even after Gabriel’s departure, he’s theatrics and strange stage presence was what really got me hooked on the band, that and my dad’s love for the band, of course.I saw Genesis back in 2007, of course Gabriel was absent, he was doing other projects at the time, so like always, Phil took the lead. So I never got the chance to see what made Genesis so special in the first place. But now, Gabriel was making a stop in Toronto and I was not going to miss this one. This year marked the 25th anniversary of Peter’s most popular solo album, So. To celebrate, Gabriel announced a North American 25th anniversary of So titled the ‘The Back to Front’ tour. This meant that he was going to play the album from start to finish. I purchased tickets the day they went on sale.

Fast forward to ten minutes before showtime, the lights go down and on steps a figure dressed in all black, I knew instantly it was Pete. A spotlight quickly shines on Gabriel as he welcomes the crowd and briefly describes how the show will go. “There will be a short acoustic section to start, a trip back to some of the older songs, and then we will play through the album” Peter said in his soothing British accent.

The show began will just Peter and his longtime touring bassist, Tony Levin. Peter started off with a song he had been writing but not yet finished (he told the crowd seconds before he started playing it). What aspect of the show that surprised me most was that I never knew he was such a good piano player. I had him seen play piano before on video clips, but never to the extent that he did when he started playing.

The song had no title, although Pete, being clever, titled it “Unfinished Song”. Quickly after the opening song Peter wasted no time and went right into “Come Talk To Me”, a popular song off of Gabriel’s 92 album, Us. The band then came on to join Peter to finish the acoustic set with enjoyable sing along songs “Shock The Monkey” and “Family Snapshot. The show itself was a recreation of the 1986. Gabriel made use of the  exact same lighting (manually maneuvered lights) and he invited back the same musicians that played with him on the original tour.

After the acoustic set, Gabriel and the band went right into classic throwback hits, including “Digging in
the Dirt”, “Secret World”. “Secret World” really made the show for me, it has long been a personal favorite of mine. When he whispered into the microphone, “Come with us to our Secret World…” I will admit I lost it. Following the first electric throwback songs Peter enclosed the throwback set with “The Family and the Fishing Net”, “No Self Control”, the classic “Solsbury Hill” and “Washing of the Water”.

Following the finishing of the throwback set, Peter then says, “So” into the microphone. From here on out the band from start to finish, every song on the album. This included “Red Rain”, “Sledgehammer”, “Don’t Give Up”, “That Voice Again”, “Mercy Street”, “Big Time”, “We Do What We’re Told”, “This is the Picture” and “In Your Eyes”.

This section of the show was without a doubt fantastic. It was very interesting for me (being someone who could not see Gabriel back then) to witness what the show was like back when it was originally played across the globe in 1986.

Gabriel and the performing the powerful “Red Rain“.

For the encore Gabriel played “The Tower That Ate People” which had a giant spiral of suspended fabric cleverly swallow up Gabriel. This was definitely the most impressive visual part of the show, beside the lighting.

The second song of the encore and final song of the night was the classic Gabriel protest song, “Biko”.
Gabriel had the crowd chanting he and the musicians took one last bow exiting the stage while the crowd continued to chant.

Video of Biko.

The concert overall was fantastic and I’d say worth the ticket price of over $100. It’s obvious, judging from the Toronto reception, that Gabriel still has the spark which made him so popular among fans when he first went solo back in the late 70’s. I’m just glad that I got to witness one of his shows – for hopefully – not the last time.

Setlist

Acoustic
Unfinished Song
Come Talk to Me
Shock the Monkey
Family Snapshot

Throwback
Digging in the Dirt
Secret World
The Family and the Fishing Net
No Self Control
Solsbury Hill
Washing of the Water

“So”
Red Rain
Sledgehammer
Don’t Give Up
That Voice Again
Mercy Street
Big Time
We Do What We’re Told
This Is the Picture
In Your Eyes

Encore
The Tower That Ate People
Biko