There's Something About Serena Ryder

The second of my Winter Olympics concert series was Serena Ryder on Valentine's Day. Apropos? Not really. Killer concert? Absolutely. Serena writes great songs, sings incredibly well, has a captivating stage presence, is really funny, and she's damn cute too.

My favourite album of 2008 was Serena Ryder's Is It OK?. I played the thing to death, so having the opportunity to see her live for free was not to be passed up. Playing most of the songs from Is It OK? along with her cover of "Good Morning Starshine" and the poignant "Weak In the Knees" from her first album, she carried the show like a veteran, belying her sophomore status. Halfway through the concert an errant fire alarm provided some annoyance by disrupting the show. She cleverly and amusingly began vocalizing along with the incessant beeping of the alarm, turning what could have been an uncomfortable few minutes into a hugely entertaining vocal improv with the alarm providing weird counterpoint. And as quickly as it started, it was over. "I am psychic and feel it has stopped," she said. "But if it doesn't, fuck it." To which the adoring crowd went crazy.

In the days of vinyl LPs, a band or solo artist could release three albums before "the big one." Promotion would be ramped up with each album as the consumer field was tended for the big third album payoff. Sometimes the strategy worked, sometimes not. After all, not every artists' third album is a gem. Serena has released two albums, both containing excellent songs and production, yet there seems to be zero effort by Capitol Records Canada, her label, to promote her beyond what is the normal cursory "working" that does nothing more than help fulfill the label's part of the contract. Seriously. If Capitol were to push Serena the way they push Nickelback, she would be a bigger star than she is. Maybe they are saving themselves for her next album. One can hope. 

Serena is one of those "under the radar" singer/songwriters. She isn't as quirky as Martha Wainwright or as ironic as Alanis Morrisette, but listen to "Sweeping the Ashes" and tell me if she's not skewering an ex- or soon-to-be-ex-lover. She has a knack for picking cover songs that suit her original style too. Both "Good Morning Starshine" from Hair and Leonard Cohen's "Sisters of Mercy" do not seem out of place when juxtaposed against her original material. In fact, if you didn't know better (and many out there don't) you would think she wrote them. She could be the next Sarah McLaughlin without all the weepiness and sick pets.

Previous to Serena, we were entertained by Jim Byrne and the Sojourners. Jim Byrne is a "that guy" actor and blues/gospel singer of some reknown. The Sojourners are four black gospel singers that could pass for The Blind Boys of Alabama without the seeing-eye dogs. Along with a smoking backup trio, Byrne delivered swampy, bluesy, rocking gospel music that featured some serious guitar playing by a guitarist whose name I couldn't hear when it was introduced. Boy could he play.

All in all, it was a great night with some great music. And for free. Gotta love that.

Here's some video of "Good Morning Starshine"

Blue Rodeo, A Winter Olympic Opener

Wow. Has it been five months since my last post? It has and time does pass quickly when you're not paying attention. Since my last post, I have relocated. I have fled the snowy, frozen confines of Fort McMurray for much more hospitable climate in White Rock, B.C. Which brings me to the point of this post.

Unless you live under a rock, you know the Winter Olympics have begun in Vancouver. Along with the requisite sporting events, Vancouver and its surrounding boroughs are collectively celebrating with free concerts. Artists such as Wilco, Ridley Bent, Blue Rodeo, Serena Ryder, Headpins, Streetheart, Randy Bachman, et.al. are featured at various venues scattered between Richmond, Surrey, Vancouver, and North Vancouver.

Last night (Feb. 12) I attended Blue Rodeo's concert at Holland Park in Surrey. I went with Michele Raye, an old friend and fellow musician. Being February in Vancouver, it was raining and while walking to the site I naively asked if the show would be cancelled, given the wetness and all. "If things were cancelled because of rain," she said, "nothing would happen here." Nuff said.

The band was in great form. The sound was good, not too loud and an excellent mix. Jim Cuddy, Greg Keelor and the rest of the boys played well and were obviously enjoying themselves immensely. The show started with "Rose Coloured Glasses" and the band did not disappoint. Mixing in some new tunes from their latest album The Things We Left Behind they satisfied the crowd with the usual staples like "Bad Timing," "Five Days in May," and "Till I Am Myself Again." Jim was in fine voice and with the exception of what seemed to be some miscommunication between Jim and Greg, which was "blamed" on the kind of confusion created by smoking too many joints, the show went off without a hitch. The band did have an extra member though, in a young fellow playing acoustic rhythm guitar and singing harmony. We surmised he was the son of either Jim or Greg.

I have seen Blue Rodeo on more than one occasion. The band is remarkably consistent with their performances. They always manage to deliver a good show and last night was no exception. Last night's show was a milestone of sorts for the band as well. They were celebrating their 25th anniversary. 25 years of Blue Rodeo. They have been pretty good years too, I think.

There are other concerts that I will be attending during the Olympics. Stay tuned for further posts, not five months between this time, I promise.

Here's some video of "Rose Coloured Glasses."