CHART Attack Gord Downie Review

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By Aaron Brophy @ CHART Attack....

I'm so jealous of Gord Downie. And it's not because he's considered a Canadian icon, or knows Harry Sinden, or because he's an independently wealthy rock star in The Tragically Hip.

No, it's because I increasingly get the sense that Downie lives his life in a world of magic realism, where the mundane frequently and suddenly becomes the fantastical and with a simple technicolour whirl of his wrists every newspaper clipping or geographical peculiarity he encounters transforms itself into a song.

Meanwhile, I'm back here down on earth worrying about my cat puking more when it gets really hot outside and trying to figure out why my hydro bill is 20 per cent higher.

In short, I'm jealous because Downie gets to be the art. With each passing year it feels more and more like he's transforming into some kind of art elemental, a living-in-his-own-head supernatural vacillating between our terrestrial world and a more sparkling one of his own creation.

The latest prompt for this jealous bolt would be The Grand Bounce, Downie's third solo record. Produced by Death Cab For Cutie's Chris Walla, it's outwardly the most straight-forward and least "arty" record of his solo career, but that should be considered with some context.

...continue reading HERE.

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Review - Exclaim.ca

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Gord Downie and The Country of Miracles
The Grand Bounce
By Vish Khanna

Seven years since The Battle of the Nudes, the informal charm of the Country of Miracles is refined on The Grand Bounce, another remarkable offering by Gord Downie. In an introductory essay, Downie playfully recounts the inspiration for these songs, tonally encapsulating his open mindset for this band. Since emerging with 2001's Coke Machine Glow, Downie has explored a looser, relatively more lo-fi sound than that of the Tragically Hip's. And by recruiting underground aces Julie Doiron, Dave Clark, Dale Morningstar, Josh Finlayson and John Press for his band, Downie is surrounded by friends who inspire risk. Overseen by Death Cab for Cutie's Chris Walla, there's a hazy summertime vibe to The Grand Bounce that's perfect for cottage escapes and easy evenings. The mood is best exemplified on "Yellow Days," featuring a murky groove propelling its imagery to slow dance like no one's watching. But it's present elsewhere too; the festive stomp of "Moon Over Glenora" features a sweet Downie/Doiron duet and even the dynamic build of "The Dance and its Disappearance" is celebratory fun. Downie's songs may be more structured on The Grand Bounce, but that doesn't curb the Country of Miracles' enthusiasm.

Why spill so many beans in that essay?
Downie: Well, probably like any good fox, to throw off the scent to more beans that could be spilled, I suppose. In the past, I've held onto them like a pie maker who doesn't want you to see how I make it. But there's connectivity; people make things and go through a long, beautiful process to do it. I'd be selfish to not allow people to be part of that.

Your solo work seems less rickety now.
I hear what you're saying. On the earlier records, you could hear chairs scraping, doors closing, muttering and things that gave them a lot of personality. I was more interested in Chris getting together with these guys; his sonic sense with their spirit. It was a hunch that together we'd do something interesting and I think it does still hint at process.

Do you delineate songs for the Country of Miracles and the Hip?
No, I still adhere to the Raymond Carver adage: "Use it up; don't save a thing for later." That lets me sleep at night. I get it and use it and then whatever's up next, I do. (Universal)

Article

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Ottawa Bluesfest Line-up & Ticket Info

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Hey All,

The line-up was just announced for Ottawa.  The bands are listed below.  You'll have to check out the official website for exact schedules.  Gord is there on July 9th @ 7:45pm.  I forget which corporately sponsored stage he's on, but it's one of them. 


Maybe the sponsors do deserve some credit though.  This event is the best music value you can get maybe in North America outside of FREE shows.  The advanced price of a full Festival Passport in $230.00.  That allows you to come and go over almost 2 weeks with headliners each night.  You can't get into weekend festivals (Bonnaroo, Cochella, etc) for that much.  One Week Passports (5 days) are $140/150 and single day passes are around $40.  At least that's what it is on July 7th when FURTHUR is playing.  I'll be seeing these guys in Rochester at the Highland Bowl on June 25.  Smokin'.  They'll play 3 hours+.  It's just too bad Steel Pulse is on for the same night.

The prices listed above may be the advanced prices available only until Friday.  I'm not sure.  You can have a look for tickets over at www.capitaltickets.ca .  Type in the promo code: BLUES.  The official Bluesfest site is http://www.ottawabluesfest.ca/.

* AfroReggae
* Alexisonfire
* Alvin Youngblood Hart
* Amos The Transparent
* Andrew Bird
* Arcade Fire
* Aterciopelados
* Babe Ruth
* Basia Bulat
* Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba
* Be in the Band
* Bear in Heaven
* Big Jeezus Truck
* Big Soul Project featuring Roxanne Goodman
* Bjorn Berg
* Blonde Redhead
* Blues in the Schools Performance
* Brothers Chaffey
* Campbell Brothers
* Caravan Palace
* Carolyn Wonderland
* Champion and His G-Strings
* Charlie Winston
* Crowded House
* Curtis Salgado
* Dana Fuchs
* Del Ray
* Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi Band**
* Down With Webster
* Drake
* Dream Theater
* Elvis Perkins in Dearland
* Ethiopiques
* Faber Drive
* Foghat
* Furthur featuring Phil Lesh & Bob Weir**
* GARAGA
* Gipsy Kings
* GOOD2GO
* Gord Downie and the Country of Miracles
* Great Big Sea
* Great Lake Swimmers**
* Group 1 Crew
* Grupo Fantasma
* Iron Maiden
* J.D. and The Details
* James Hunter
* Jimmy Cliff
* Joan Jett
* Joe Krown Trio with Walter Wolfman Washington & Russell Batiste
* John Butler Trio**
* John Hiatt & the Combo
* Jonas
* Keith Urban
* Ken Workman & the Union
* Kevin Costner and Modern West
* Kings Go Forth
* Konono No1
* Laurent Bourque
* LIGHTS
* Loudlove
* Lukas Nelson
* Marc Cohn
* Marcia Ball & The Voice of The Wetlands All Stars featuring TAB BENOITCYRIL NEVILLEANDERS OSBORNEJOHNNY SANSONEWAYLON THIBODEAUXAND BIG CHIEF MONK BOUDREAUX
* Marianas Trench
* Martin Sexton
* Matt Andersen
* Matt Schofield
* Matthew Good
* Mayfair Theatre Presents Night of The Living Dead Live
* Metric
* Moneen
* Monster Mike Welch
* Newworldson
* Nicolas Collins
* Occidental Brothers
* Old Crow Medicine Show
* Ozomatli
* Passion Pit
* Paul Rishell & Annie Raines
* Renaissance
* Richie Righteous
* River City Junction
* Robert Farrell Band
* Robert Randolph & the Family Band**
* Roger Hodgson
* Ronnie Baker Brooks
* Rural Alberta Advantage
* RUSH**
* Ryan Montbleau Band
* Santana**
* SEPTENTRIONAL d'Haiti
* Shane Dwight
* Slyde
* Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes
* St Joes Mission
* Staff Benda Bilili
* Steel Pulse**
* Steve Dawson's Mississippi Sheiks Project
* Steve Hackett
* Steve Winwood**
* Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience
* That 1 Guy**
* That's the Spirit
* The Aggrolites
* The B-52s
* The Budos Band
* The Cat Empire
* The Constellations
* The Ethics
* The Flaming Lips**
* The Gories
* The Hold Steady
* The Levon Helm Band
* The Lost Fingers
* The Love Machine
* The Moody Blues
* The Musical Box
* The Planet Smashers
* The Soirée
* The Swell Season
* The White Wires
* Timber Timbre
* Tommy Castro
* Too Slim and The Taildraggers
* Tramaine Hawkins
* Trevor Hall
* Tye Tribbett
* We Are Wolves
* Weezer
* Woodhands
* Yatkha

** = Personal favorite.

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Gord Downie Album & Tour

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From Chart Attack....

It's been seven years since Tragically Hip frontman Gord Downie put out a solo album, but that long gap between records will end on June 8, when his latest solo record drops.

The disc doesn't have a title yet and there's no other information other than a graphic posted on Downie's official website announcing the LP's release date.

At any rate, it will be the follow-up to 2003's Battle Of The Nudes, which featured guest appearances from Julie Doiron, Skydiggers' Josh Finlayson and members of The Dinner Is Ruined (who were billed on the disc and Downie's 2001 Coke Machine Glow debut as The Country Of Miracles).

For now, you can see Downie with The Country Of Miracles at Belleville, Ont.'s Big Music Fest on June 19 at the city's East Zwicks Park.

The lineup also includes sets by headliners ZZ Top along with Collective Soul, Finger Eleven, Big Sugar, Karl Wolf and Danny Fernandes. Tickets are on sale now at Kelsey's in Belleville, Peterborough, Ont. and Lindsay, Ont. and will run you $49.50.

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Original content written and provided by mrjackstraw from Tragically Hip Tour at http://tragicallyhiptour.blogspot.com. All rights reserved. RSS feeds are for non-commercial use only.

Junos

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If you're into awards shows and celebrity circle jerks, this may interest you.

The Hip have been nominated for 3 Canadian Grammys (Junos).

Single of the Year - Love Is A First
Group of the Year
Rock Album of the Year - We Are the Same

The awards take place on April 18, 2010 from St. John's, NL. They may or may not be on TV.

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Original content written and provided by mrjackstraw from Tragically Hip Tour at http://tragicallyhiptour.blogspot.com. All rights reserved. RSS feeds are for non-commercial use only.

Tragically Hip Setlists

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An archive of Tragically Hip Set Lists covered since this site began...

2009 Tour

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Original content written and provided by mrjackstraw from Tragically Hip Tour at http://tragicallyhiptour.blogspot.com. All rights reserved. RSS feeds are for non-commercial use only.

Tragically Hip 2009 Set Lists

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Click the links below for setlists.


04/24/09: Toronto, ON
04/27/09: Kitchener, ON
04/28/09: Kitchener, ON
04/29/09: Kitchener, ON
05/01/09: Montreal, PQ
05/02/09: Montreal, PQ
05/04/09: Quebec, PQ
05/07/09: Philadelphia, PA
05/08/09: New York, NY
05/09/09: Boston, MA
05/11/09: Toronto, ON
05/12/09: Toronto, ON
05/14/09: Toronto, ON
05/15/09: Toronto, ON
05/16/09: Toronto, ON
05/19/09: Toronto, ON
05/23/09: Kingston, ON
05/26/09: Chicago, IL
05/27/09: Chicago, IL
05/29/09: Detroit, MI
05/30/09: Detroit, MI
05/31/09: Cleveland, OH
06/02/09: Lewiston, NY
06/04/09: Lewiston, NY
06/05/09: Lewiston, NY
06/06/09: Lewiston, NY
06/09/09: Los Angeles, CA
06/10/09: Los Angeles, CA
06/11/09: Los Angeles, CA
06/13/09: San Francisco, CA
06/14/09: San Francisco, CA
06/16/09: Portland, OR
06/17/09: Seattle, WA


06/19/09: Victoria, BC
06/20/09: Victoria, BC
06/22/09: Vancouver, BC
06/23/09: Vancouver, BC
06/24/09: Vancouver, BC
06/27/09: Wiarton, ON
07/02/09: St. John's, NL
07/04/09: Halifax, NS
07/23/09: London, ON
07/25/09: Rochester, NY
07/26/09: Shelburne, VT
08/01/09: North Bay, ON
08/04/09: Saskatoon, SK
08/05/09: Grand Prairie, AB
08/07/09: Penticton, BC
08/08/09: Abbotsford, BC
09/07/09: Winnipeg, MB
09/09/09: Winnipeg, MB
09/10/09: Winnipeg, MB
09/11/09: Winnipeg, MB
09/13/09: Edmonton, AB
09/14/09: Edmonton, AB
09/16/09: Edmonton, AB
09/17/09: Edmonton, AB
09/19/09: Banff, AB
09/21/09: Calgary, AB
09/23/09: Calgary, AB
09/24/09: Calgary, AB
09/26/09: Ottawa, ON
09/27/09: Ottawa, ON
09/28/09: Ottawa, ON
09/30/09: Hamilton, ON
10/02/09: Hamilton, ON
10/03/09: Hamilton, ON
10/15/09: Albany, NY
10/16/09: Pittsburgh, PA
10/17/09: Baltimore, MD
10/19/09: Washington, DC
10/21/09: Atlanta, GA
10/23/09: Dallas, TX
10/24/09: Houston, TX
10/25/09: Austin, TX
10/28/09: Solana Beach, CA
10/29/09: Los Angeles, CA
10/30/09: Las Vegas, NV
11/01/09: Denver, CO
11/03/09: St. Paul, MN
11/06/09: Salamanca, NY
11/07/09: Syracuse, NY



Europe 2009

11/22/09: Cologne, DE
11/23/09: Eindhoven, NL
11/25/09: Groningen, NL
11/26/09: Utrecht, NL
11/27/09: Amsterdam, NL
11/29/09: Brussels, BE
11/30/09: London, GB
12/02/09: Manchester, GB
12/03/09: Glasgow, GB
12/04/09: Dublin, IE

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Original content written and provided by mrjackstraw from Tragically Hip Tour at http://tragicallyhiptour.blogspot.com. All rights reserved. RSS feeds are for non-commercial use only.