Blast from the Past!

Last Thursday I woke up exhausted to the alarm clock at 4:30 am.  Waking up at 4:30 am is part of my regular weekday routine.  I've mentioned before that I'm in my 40's, so to keep in shape, I start my day with an hour long work out.  Early morning is my time, it's quiet and the world outside my window is still asleep.  It's at this time I grab a couple of hours just to myself and I cherish the time but it also usually requires an early bedtime.  The past week though, I had been staying up later at night, usually writing....I had a creative wave hit me, taking me in a bunch of different directions.  The result being, I wrote a whole bunch of different kinds of stories, none of which are any fucking good, because none got the proper dedication and attention they deserved.  That being said, I have a whole bunch of skeletons that need to be fleshed out, so to speak....should keep me busy for awhile...who knows, maybe that Pulitzer is in hiding in there somewhere :)

Anyway, getting back to last Thursday...I woke up exhausted and swore to myself that, no matter what, I was going to go to bed early tonight!  I was also a little fucking pissed.  Randy Bachman and Fred Turner were going to be playing in Lethbridge tonight and not only could I not afford the tickets (end of September bills to pay) but my efforts to win tickets had proven to be fruitless as well.

I persevered though, and was getting through my work day in between yawns, when at about mid afternoon I received a phone call on my cell that changed my day completely.  "Do you want to go see Bachman and Turner tonight?".......stupid fucking question!!!

Suddenly I had bounds of energy.  Randy Bachman and Fred Turner were two very vital members of the '70's iconic Canadian rock band Bachman Turner Overdrive or also popularly known as BTO.  You may also know Randy from a partnership with Buton Cummings  and their little Canadian band called The Guess Who!  I could hardly fucking wait! I spoke in my last blog about how a song can take you back to a particular place and time in your memory.  BTO was there when I first discovered rock as a young teen and their music managed to survive the years, becoming a part of my memories for decades.  There was no doubt....I would not be fucking going to bed early tonight!  I blasted through the rest of my work day and booted it home to change out of my business suit and into my jeans and jean jacket.

My ticket was being held at the ticket office in the Enmax Centre where Bachman and Turner were playing.  I was pleasantly surprised to see my ticket was an eighth row floor ticket.  True, not as good as first or second row but still fairly close to the stage.  I had to laugh at myself when I entered the floor and started looking for my seat.  Concerts just aren't drawing the fans in anymore and the Enmax had been half closed off, bringing the stage to sit at where center ice would be.  Eighth row, while yes it was fairly close to the stage, was the last row on the floor.  The only people behind me were the sound crew working on the soundboards and of course those who were seated in the stands. At least I was center.

This seat turned out to be perfect for me....you see, I can't stand to sit through a concert.  It's just not right.  Live music is not just something to be listened to politely...fuck, you can do that at home with a CD.  I need to be up on my feet, dancing, stomping, clapping and cheering!  As always though, with a classic band and, lets say, more "mature" fans, there was floor seats.  I hate floor seats...with floor seats if I want to spend the night on my feet, I will no doubt be pissing off the more "mature" person behind me who can't take being on their feet that long and essentially ruining their evening.  So, my seats at the back still allowed me to be the polite rude Canadian I am - I could be up on my feet, stomping, clapping, singing and dancing without pissing anybody else off.

And from the time The Odds (who opened) took the stage that was where I was, on my feet!
The Odds are another Canadian band who has been around for a number of years.  They don't go quite as far back as BTO, but I have been listening to them for at least 20 years.  Being the type of person I am...when I hear a song I like I have to know who does it, so I was very familiar with The Odds, having owned a couple of their albums, liking their sound and their sense of humor. They have had a large amount of singles played on Canadian radio, so almost everyone here has heard and liked their tunes, many just don't pay attention to who it is.  And it doesn't help that they release their records in secret.  There never seems to be any talk of them releasing a new record...a single just appears on the radio, leaving fans to wonder....." The Odds have a new CD?"  If you haven't heard of them, you should check them out...I think they would be the result if Lenny Kravitz and The Barenaked Ladies had a baby together.  Truth Untold, Eat My Brain, It Falls Apart, and Satisfied are all just a few of their songs that warrant a listen.  My personal favorite, though has to be Heterosexual Man and man did I have a blast dancing and singing along to this song live! My dancing had also given a few others in the audience courage, coming back to where I was, and dancing as well....polite Canadians, I'm telling you.

When Craig Northey, lead singer, announced the band would be available to sign autographs at their merchandise table during intermission, I made a beeline for it.  It was there, as I was waiting for the band to show to sign the CD I just bought, that I spoke to a nice looking gentleman who commented on how much he was enjoying the show. He also mentioned he didn't know The Odds did all those songs...I smiled.  It was something I'd been hearing through the crowd as I had made my way to the table.  See guys, quit being so secretive...people really like you, they do!

I never pass up an opportunity to flirt with the band and this night was no exception.  The guys were great!  Really friendly and funny.  I enjoyed meeting them.

Bachman and Turner took the stage next and I took to my feet once again.  Again I was mostly alone in my dancing...most still opting to sit...fuck, what is wrong with people?  These guys (and seniors themselves) fucking rocked!  They opened with Roll down the Highway, a great song about being on the road, on their way to the next show.  They got a few more people on their feet when they performed American Woman, a Guess Who classic.  Fred Turner's vocals were spot on in his raspy blues best doing Blue Collar - by the way, this songs speaks to the early riser in me - and Four Wheel Drive.  But by the time they wrapped up their encore with fan favorite Takin' Care of Business, everyone was on their feet, dancing and singing along!  Randy had even made mention that it had been suggested to him that the Lyrics to Takin' Care of Business should be on the Canadian Citizenship test.  They are just something that every Canadian knows!

You get up every morning, from the alarm clock's warning

Take the 8:15 into the city

There's a whistle up above and people pushin' people shovin'

and the girls who try to look pretty

And if your train's on time, you can get to work by 9

and start your slaving job to get your pay

If you ever get annoyed, look at me I'm self employed

I love to work at nothing all day

And I'll be takin' care of business.........

.....yep, I'm Canadian!
It was a fucking awesome show and a fucking awesome night thanks to the very talented musicians that make up The Odds and Bachman and Turner!  I do want to give a special shout out to the sound crews for both The Odds and Bachman and Turner, though.  They kept the sound spot on, regardless of the fact that I was shaking my ass - and it is a very fine ass, even if I do say so myself - right in front of them all fucking night!

Band and singer names are links once again...check out The Odds and Bachman and Turner, their music and their solo careers as well...........; )

P.S. On Friday I set the alarm for 5:30 am....I figured I got enough exercise the night before!