Anyone see Dennis in Brampton (Toronto) last night?

[blt man]

Anyone here see Dennis in Brampton (Toronto) last night?

As I indicated on another message board, I went to the concert last night to see Dennis play. Small intimate venue. I don't think there was a bad seat in the house.

He played 3 of the new songs. 100 Years from Now, Save Me and This Time Next Year. The English version of 100 Years is very good. He had a cheat sheet on the floor for the song (presumable so he would not accidentally sing the French words). Jimmy played the guitar solos in 100 years and TTNY and I found the TTNY intro is better live than on the CD. Dennis made a few jokes about him finally being able to talk English at a concert in Canada. He pretended to call Eric out to join him on the song and I think it was Hank who imitated Eric's voice for a couple of words during the small comedic bit. As I indicated elsewhere, he said Save me will be released this week or next as a radio single.

Jimmy sings some of the harmonies in some of the songs. Looks like he is still getting used to it or learning them. But I liked his participation because it drowns out the female harmonies a little more. I was happy that Suzanne and Kate are positioned out of the way and other than on SMTW you can ignore them for the most part.

I really liked Jimmy's playing. He moves around, plays with enthusiasm and interacts a lot with Dennis. I still don't understand why Tommy D's guitar is wired into the equipment when Hank and Jimmy go wireless (I am not a musician so maybe somone can explain). Makes him a little boring to watch. The guitar work was generally very good and a lot better than I thought it would be (based on people's comments of Tommy D's playing). I can't imagine what a DDY show would sound like with only one guitar.

Over all I enjoyed the show. Dennis' voice is still amazing after all these years.

I did have a few minor issues with the concert:

The crowd was lame. They enjoyed the show but many of them have a larger membership to the venue so it was more theatre crowd than rock crowd. Very little standing and other than a few die hards not as much sing along participation.

Don't let it end and Desert Moon. I don't care for those songs and would rather have heard something like Queen of Spades (though Don't let it end was much better than the recorded version).

The drums. The playing was fine, they simply are not loud enough.

[MtlLady]

I really liked Jimmy's playing. He moves around, plays with enthusiasm and interacts a lot with Dennis. I still don't understand why Tommy D's guitar is wired into the equipment when Hank and Jimmy go wireless (I am not a musician so maybe somone can explain). Makes him a little boring to watch. The guitar work was generally very good and a lot better than I thought it would be (based on people's comments of Tommy D's playing). I can't imagine what a DDY show would sound like with only one guitar.

I know some of you are waiting for me to come to the defense of my fav guitar player, so I might as well get it over with.

Shaka has mentioned that he doesn't care for Tommy D's tone and phrasing and that's perfectly okay. He absolutely has that right; not everyone will like the same things. He was even kind enough to explain what exactly tone and phrasing were to this non-guitar player, for which I thank him as I learned something and listen to guitars with a better appreciation.

In any case, as for me, I could listen to Tommy play all day and all night and never get tired of it. He's already been told that I'm his biggest Canadian fan! He's done an excellent job in carrying the weight with only one guitar. They've had to do some clever arranging to make sure that someone takes over the melody when he has a solo. That being said, I have to admit it can't compare to two guitars. (We got the treat of three guitars last August - Tommy, Glen and Stephane).

Why he still wires the guitar and why it's pink; I'll ask him if I meet him again!

[blt man]

Why he still wires the guitar and why it's pink; I'll ask him if I meet him again!

Actually, I don't think the wire was pink and appears (I think) different than the ones I have seen of Tommy D. playing on Youtube. It was very similar to a phone card which allowed him to move a little further from where he was plugged in without having to deal with the mess of a really long cord. It was just a little strange to see in this wireless day and age. Of course, Dennis also uses a wired microphone...

[MtlLady]

Why he still wires the guitar and why it's pink; I'll ask him if I meet him again!

Actually, I don't think the wire was pink and appears (I think) different than the ones I have seen of Tommy D. playing on Youtube. It was very similar to a phone card which allowed him to move a little further from where he was plugged in without having to deal with the mess of a really long cord. It was just a little strange to see in this wireless day and age. Of course, Dennis also uses a wired microphone...

Maybe he's gone to digital pod foot pedals or just plain changed cords. At the last 9 concerts I've seen, it was always a pink cord. (I think he just doesn't want anyone to trip over it).

He had a different guitar than usual in August. It might have been his 12 string. I'm not sure, I'm not a guitar player ....

I noticed that Dennis likes to play with his wire on his microphone sometimes .....

[blt man]

Maybe he's gone to digital pod foot pedals or just plain changed cords.

He was using the foot pedals as was Jimmy. He was corded into them. Jimmy was not.

[bugsymalone]

I think he just doesn't want anyone to trip over it.

Wise choice since *someone* has!

I get the impression both Dennis and Tommy D. are being a bit old school with the wired mics and guitars. I wonder if they have had bad experiences with the wireless variety? That is a question I have wanted to ask Dennis a couple of times when I had the opportunity, but, being old and forgetful, I always forget.

I know Dennis occasionally, when he is feeling good at a concert, will spin the microphone around by the cord. Hard to do that with a wireless one.


Bugsy

[MtlLady]

I think he just doesn't want anyone to trip over it.

Wise choice since *someone* has!

I get the impression both Dennis and Tommy D. are being a bit old school with the wired mics and guitars. I wonder if they have had bad experiences with the wireless variety? That is a question I have wanted to ask Dennis a couple of times when I had the opportunity, but, being old and forgetful, I always forget.

I know Dennis occasionally, when he is feeling good at a concert, will spin the microphone around by the cord. Hard to do that with a wireless one.


Bugsy

I think you just might have something there.

I've seen Dennis do the "wave" thing with his mic cord. At one of the concerts (can't remember which one), the cord came right off the mic!! He simply picked it up and plugged it back in and gave Kyle a funny face that sent Kyle into giggles.