Monday, July 11, 2011
Frampton Comes Alive!
Peter Frampton put on an amazing show at Bluesfest, Sunday, July 10th, 2011, recreating the Frampton Comes Alive album for its 35th anniversary.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Jason Mraz ScotiaBank Place
Jason Mraz and Robert Francis played a great show on October 5th at a less than full Scotiabank Theatre configuration.
Mraz is finishing off his "pre-album" tour, consisting of visiting places he hasn't been to in the past several years. The last time he played Ottawa, it was in support of his second album (Mr. A-Z) and he played the old Capital City Music Hall downtown.
This time, he brought the the Grooveline Horns band, part of whom he toured with on his last tour in support of album "We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things".
The show was a wonderful mix of new and old songs and a stage complete with a recycled bottle light show. While "I'm Yours" was the obvious crowd pleaser (kept until the very end), Mraz's new numbers show a variety of his traditional style ("This is what our love looks like") and tongue-in-cheekness ("Mama Say").
Opening with "A Way to Remember Me" on piano, the show moved onto "Up", a new tune that reminds one of "Live High" from his previous album. A reggae version of his first hit "The Remedy" had the band appear on the second level in the arena.
After "Make It Mine", a new tune "Gentleman (Don't Change At All)", Mraz got the entire crowd playing duet on "Lucky".
The encore featured a band instrumental ("Freakshow"), a brand new un-named tune and then a funky cover of the Beatles' "All You Need Is Love".
Whoever was behind the sound board certainly didn't have their Wheaties. The opening numbers had a "buzz" and several clicks. Thankfully, it was fixed in the end.
Why Ottawa doesn't seem to have heard about Jason Mraz, I have no idea. Radio here seems to ignore him as do the papers - while the Citizen featured a phone interview, they didn't actually review the concert. They are missing out - and it seems to be a continuing phase the city is going through.
Jason Mraz rocked Ottawa on Tuesday night - it's a shame Ottawa didn't rock with him! (save for a few fans)
Mraz is finishing off his "pre-album" tour, consisting of visiting places he hasn't been to in the past several years. The last time he played Ottawa, it was in support of his second album (Mr. A-Z) and he played the old Capital City Music Hall downtown.
This time, he brought the the Grooveline Horns band, part of whom he toured with on his last tour in support of album "We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things".
The show was a wonderful mix of new and old songs and a stage complete with a recycled bottle light show. While "I'm Yours" was the obvious crowd pleaser (kept until the very end), Mraz's new numbers show a variety of his traditional style ("This is what our love looks like") and tongue-in-cheekness ("Mama Say").
Opening with "A Way to Remember Me" on piano, the show moved onto "Up", a new tune that reminds one of "Live High" from his previous album. A reggae version of his first hit "The Remedy" had the band appear on the second level in the arena.
After "Make It Mine", a new tune "Gentleman (Don't Change At All)", Mraz got the entire crowd playing duet on "Lucky".
The encore featured a band instrumental ("Freakshow"), a brand new un-named tune and then a funky cover of the Beatles' "All You Need Is Love".
Whoever was behind the sound board certainly didn't have their Wheaties. The opening numbers had a "buzz" and several clicks. Thankfully, it was fixed in the end.
Why Ottawa doesn't seem to have heard about Jason Mraz, I have no idea. Radio here seems to ignore him as do the papers - while the Citizen featured a phone interview, they didn't actually review the concert. They are missing out - and it seems to be a continuing phase the city is going through.
Jason Mraz rocked Ottawa on Tuesday night - it's a shame Ottawa didn't rock with him! (save for a few fans)
Monday, September 6, 2010
Location, Location and Ticket Prices
I noted earlier that Katie Melua was playing the Bronson Theatre. The Bronson Theatre isn't a place I've heard of a lot - now I know why (it's the former Immaculata High School). But they've got some great names coming there this fall, including comedy, Ani DeFranco and Broken Social Scene.
Another reason for bringing these shows up are a great trend in ticket pricing. These shows are priced around $30 and the shows will be quite intimate (1000 people tops).
Compare that price to Roger Waters ($55 for limited view but up to $200 for good seats) or even Johnny Reid ($60 for good seats).
I remember basic prices for shows being close to $75 or $80 for basic tickets (the 2008 Police show was at $225 a seat).
Another good deal? Jason Mraz at $45 - all tickets at Scotiabank Place (Theatre seating - so max 2500).
At these prices, these shows come dangerously close to "cover" prices for local bands at some clubs. I recall seeing Stoned Soul Picnic at some local places with a cover of $10.
What are some of the best deals for shows you've been to lately?
Katie Melua in Ottawa - Cancelled
Update: This concert was cancelled due to illness
Amazing the different types of places artists can play in Ottawa these days.
Katie Melua, who is one of the UK's biggest female stars in the past few years, is playing Ottawa at the Bronson Center Theatre on Wednesday, September 9th.
If you haven't heard her music before, it's acoustic but with a tinge of Kate Bush. She also does a pretty cool Cure cover.
Tickets are only $30, definitely a great deal for such an intimate location.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Peptides: For Those Who Love Music!
The Peptides have released a new album (For Those Who Hate Human Interaction) that has gotten some great reviews.
(Album cover courtesy the Peptide's web site)
Here's the latest from the Ottawa Citizen.
The album is described by the band as
"25 eclectic songs in 3 Acts exploring the colossal theme of hate"
Nothing like a nice cheery approach to music - every song is pre-titled For Those Who Hate...(The Earth, each other, etc)
You can buy the album from Bandcamp here for $14 US (available in high quality MP3, FLAC format).
If you prefer to get the CD, you can get it in Ottawa from Compact Music , 785 1/2 Bank Street in the Glebe.
Here's the latest from the Ottawa Citizen.
The album is described by the band as
"25 eclectic songs in 3 Acts exploring the colossal theme of hate"
Nothing like a nice cheery approach to music - every song is pre-titled For Those Who Hate...(The Earth, each other, etc)
You can buy the album from Bandcamp here for $14 US (available in high quality MP3, FLAC format).
If you prefer to get the CD, you can get it in Ottawa from Compact Music , 785 1/2 Bank Street in the Glebe.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Playing in Live 88.5's Big Money Shot? Let us know when and where...
Live 88.5's Big Money Shot is a great way to check out the latest music artists around the Ottawa area. Are you in the hunt?
If so, drop us a line , giving us the details. The Live 88.5 site isn't the best for finding out upcoming details just the past event.
Round 1 (which finished in June, 2010) went to The Watters Brothers and Wise, Young & King.
If so, drop us a line , giving us the details. The Live 88.5 site isn't the best for finding out upcoming details just the past event.
Round 1 (which finished in June, 2010) went to The Watters Brothers and Wise, Young & King.
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