D
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Guest
This past Friday my wife and I had the pleasure of seeing the Skydiggers live at the Black Sheep Inn, in Wakefield, Quebec.
The Black Sheep is a small, intimate, downscale, but utterly perfect music venue that is a mecca for musicians and fans alike.
We'd seen the Skydiggers play there before - many years ago. We've also seen them in major concert halls, theatres, and at open air festivals. They remain one of our favourite groups.
The current lineup features original members Andy Maize (vocals) and Josh Finlayson (guitar and vocals) supported by Derrick Brady (bass), Noel Webb (drums), Jeff Heisholt (keyboards) and Jessy Bell Smith (vocals.)
Friday's show covered the band's repertoire very well: the hits, the decades, and the styles.
Heisholt is outstanding. His piano work is inspired and his organ work even better.
Jessy Bell Smith provides solid backing vocals and great lead when called to. (Look for her first CD early next year.)
Josh is steady throughout but shines when the light turns his way.
And Andy... well there's not many leaders of a band that truly lead the way he does: with his movements, voice, and wit. Thoroughly entertaining.
I recorded several songs and have posted them on YouTube. I shot them in 1080p at 30fps. Not great, but watchable. The sound is just ok given that I'm picking it up on a $300 camera (whose autofocus has a little trouble in very low light conditions) after it's been through the house PA (which, at the Black Sheep is actually pretty good). Unfortunately a lot of the bass did not get captured. Here they are - with an intro or two (and not presented in concert order.)
Given the season there was no doubt that they'd play Good King Wenceslas - one of their more popular tunes.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfOqQOo4hGE[/youtube]
These next two are some of their oldest, and best.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyE6pOw3q-Y[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVfAIbfQSCw[/youtube]
Unfortunately the audio recording does not do her even a fraction of the justice she deserves, but here's Jessy Bell taking lead.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDklv7EJmX4[/youtube]
A couple more tunes for the season, including a cover of a Pretenders' song.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZEqDimqquU[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cONUBj18SY[/youtube]
A chance for Josh and Jeff to dazzle
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAHwFoxL430[/youtube]
One of my favourites
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8b16vACJKo[/youtube]
And the rest that I shot
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxSCNSI56Xo[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmwsUyYHmXg[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dE4JbLXC3Ts[/youtube]
I really really really encourage you to check out their web site / CDs for sale at http://www.skydiggers.com/merch/
I picked up two on Friday (Angels - for the season; and No 1 Northern - a great collection of Canadian covers.) I already have Northern Shore Deluxe, but if any of you want a recommendation on what to splurge on for that special music loving friend who you've not bought for yet, this would be it... just saying.
Then again, I suspect that once you've bought one or two, you'll be coming back for the rest at some point!
Jeff
ps. As I pointed out to a few at Bat's last GTG, PaulyT is a dead ringer for a younger Andy Maize. Could be twins separated at birth - and by a couple of decades.
The Black Sheep is a small, intimate, downscale, but utterly perfect music venue that is a mecca for musicians and fans alike.
We'd seen the Skydiggers play there before - many years ago. We've also seen them in major concert halls, theatres, and at open air festivals. They remain one of our favourite groups.
The current lineup features original members Andy Maize (vocals) and Josh Finlayson (guitar and vocals) supported by Derrick Brady (bass), Noel Webb (drums), Jeff Heisholt (keyboards) and Jessy Bell Smith (vocals.)
Friday's show covered the band's repertoire very well: the hits, the decades, and the styles.
Heisholt is outstanding. His piano work is inspired and his organ work even better.
Jessy Bell Smith provides solid backing vocals and great lead when called to. (Look for her first CD early next year.)
Josh is steady throughout but shines when the light turns his way.
And Andy... well there's not many leaders of a band that truly lead the way he does: with his movements, voice, and wit. Thoroughly entertaining.
I recorded several songs and have posted them on YouTube. I shot them in 1080p at 30fps. Not great, but watchable. The sound is just ok given that I'm picking it up on a $300 camera (whose autofocus has a little trouble in very low light conditions) after it's been through the house PA (which, at the Black Sheep is actually pretty good). Unfortunately a lot of the bass did not get captured. Here they are - with an intro or two (and not presented in concert order.)
Given the season there was no doubt that they'd play Good King Wenceslas - one of their more popular tunes.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfOqQOo4hGE[/youtube]
These next two are some of their oldest, and best.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyE6pOw3q-Y[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVfAIbfQSCw[/youtube]
Unfortunately the audio recording does not do her even a fraction of the justice she deserves, but here's Jessy Bell taking lead.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDklv7EJmX4[/youtube]
A couple more tunes for the season, including a cover of a Pretenders' song.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZEqDimqquU[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cONUBj18SY[/youtube]
A chance for Josh and Jeff to dazzle
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAHwFoxL430[/youtube]
One of my favourites
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8b16vACJKo[/youtube]
And the rest that I shot
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxSCNSI56Xo[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmwsUyYHmXg[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dE4JbLXC3Ts[/youtube]
I really really really encourage you to check out their web site / CDs for sale at http://www.skydiggers.com/merch/
I picked up two on Friday (Angels - for the season; and No 1 Northern - a great collection of Canadian covers.) I already have Northern Shore Deluxe, but if any of you want a recommendation on what to splurge on for that special music loving friend who you've not bought for yet, this would be it... just saying.
Then again, I suspect that once you've bought one or two, you'll be coming back for the rest at some point!
Jeff
ps. As I pointed out to a few at Bat's last GTG, PaulyT is a dead ringer for a younger Andy Maize. Could be twins separated at birth - and by a couple of decades.
