Live Concert Review-Great Big Sea-Bynham Theater-9.18.08 By Joel Voorman Published: September 20, 2008 PrintEmail
Thursday night at the Byham Theater, the Newfoundland band Great Big Sea and an enthusiastic audience engaged each other with fervent passion in the rare concert in which performers and audience meshed perfectly. Gone were the more traditional ballads and chanteys that made up a large part of GBS' show in years past, although traditional instruments like the bodhran, fiddle and accordion still happily co-exist next to the guitars and drums. Rowdier favorites from the band's repertoire were present and accounted for, however, as were songs from their new CD, ‘Fortune's Favour,’ while some old-fashioned rock and roll rounded out the set.
The group entered onto the stage as a recording of the “Banks of Newfoundland” banged out of the speakers and, by the second song, had dived headlong into partying mode with a rollicking song for an Irish wake (“The Night Pat Murphy Died”) that turned into a Celtic party revival. Bob Hallett, the group’s resident multi-instrumentalist, played his heavily amplified, two-row accordion with impressive ease, tearing through phrase after phrase as if they were hors d’oeuvres at an all-you-can-eat spread.
The band's core members - Alan Doyle, Sean McCann and Bob Hallett - were in fine form, joined by bassist Murray Foster and drummer Kris MacFarlane. They jostle and joke to be sure, but there's solid musicality behind the antics. Doyle assumed his usual role of cheerleader, encouraging the crowd to sing along and applaud the other members of the crew, while McCann, who is blessed with a tenor that can handle anything from rock to gospel, provided the anchor. His ballad "England" was simply gorgeous, and one of the only songs during which the audience stayed seated. An a capella version of "Hangin' Johnny" also showcased his fine set of pipes.
The show started with "Love Me Tonight" and ended with "Straight to Hell," both from the new CD. In between were fan favorites like "The Night Paddy Murphy Died," "Captain Kidd," "Consequence Free" and "When I Am King." The crowd, consisting of a great mix of ages from the very young to near-geezer, was with GBS all the way, on its feet and singing along, even to the new songs. One of the more memorable tunes of the evening, “When I’m Up (I Can’t Get Down),” had the fans so “amped” up that Doyle’s vocals could barely be heard. The show closed with two encores, which included a full-throttle version of "The Old Black Rum," the blues/rocker "Gallows Pole" (again a showcase for McCann) and the aforementioned barnburner "Straight to Hell."
It is this blend of lively traditional Irish music with equally high-powered rock ’n’ roll that makes Great Big Sea such a remarkable live act. It is really quite impressive how they can go from a straight-ahead barn-burner such as “When I Am King” to a more historic rave-up, “A Boat Like Gideon Brown,” or a more modern bit of balladry, “England,” which captures the pain behind so much traditional material.
Thursday night’s performance further proves that it's a great time to be in Great Big Sea. Since the band's inception 15 years ago, they've made steady progress, from the bars of St. John's in Newfoundland to the mid-size concert halls and festival stages of Germany and the United States. According to Doyle, there's been no defining moment, no divide between past and present. Their flexibility, along with emphatic live shows and tremendous improvisational musicianship, make this band truly one of a kind, and one that is showing no signs of letting up any time soon. In the words of Alan Doyle to the Pittsburgh audience, “You haven’t seen the last of Great Big Sea! We’re gonna be around for quite some time!”
Thursday night at the Byham Theater, the Newfoundland band Great Big Sea and an enthusiastic audience engaged each other with fervent passion in the rare concert in which performers and audience meshed perfectly. Gone were the more traditional ballads and chanteys that made up a large part of GBS' show in years past, although traditional instruments like the bodhran, fiddle and accordion still happily co-exist next to the guitars and drums. Rowdier favorites from the band's repertoire were present and accounted for, however, as were songs from their new CD, ‘Fortune's Favour,’ while some old-fashioned rock and roll rounded out the set.
capella version of "Hangin' Johnny" also showcased his fine set of pipes.
they can go from a straight-ahead barn-burner such as “When I Am King” to a more historic rave-up, “A Boat Like Gideon Brown,” or a more modern bit of balladry, “England,” which captures the pain behind so much traditional material. 
