But more importantly, my thoughts on the show. We were in 'section
H' there
(pretty much right at the back of the arena on the lower level, but
we were
still able to see the show quite well. Unfortunately where we
were, most of
Gord's vocals, while he was ranting and talking during the songs were
drowned out by the rest of the band, but when we got closer to the
stage
(the beer stands) he you could here him almost perfectly.
It was great hearing songs I haven't heard live before (Boots or Hearts
and
Lionized). Also hearing songs I haven't heard live for a really
long time
(Unlpucked Gems and Daredevil), was great. Unplucked Gems had
a nice long
intro (~2 min or so), and sounded great. The band did this great
little jam
right before Daredevil (I think.....) and was nothing I've heard before.
Another one of the highlights was Gord playing around with the mic
stand and
accidently knocking it over during Poets. After Gord set the
mic stand up,
with no mic, he laid down on the stage and sang the next few lines
on his
belly, before eventually getting up again.
The crowd was really in it, and really loud (especially for only about
6000). It was probably the best stadium show I've seen the Hip
do (the
other 2 times were in SaskPlace in Saskatoon). Chris' piano and
Kate's
singing added a whole new dimension to the show, especially Giftshop.
Tiger
the Lion is absolutely amazing live. Wheatkings really sounded
great with a
piano, it gave the song a very different sound. My only complaint
was that
some of the merch seemed a little expensive (ie. the $30 Hip toque).
My ears are still a little sensitive, and my throat is still scratchy,
but
all that is well worth it, after seeing the Hip and getting to dance
and
sing and scream for almost 3 hours!!
One more thing about my recording, I'm losing my high speed internet
when I
move back home (we live on a farm), and I would like to post it on
thehip.org, so if someone with high speed want's to do upload it, I'll
send
them a copy on CD when I get it all converted to MP3's and burned.
I guess
I'll take the first email offer I receive.
Later all,
Adam