New Pornographers- Burton Cummings Theatre, Winnipeg, MB October 7, 2017

"Good to be back, it's been a while". -Frontman Carl Newman

It has been a few years at least since Newman's band, the New Pornographers have toured through Winnipeg, and they have visited many times, but it was the first time they played the "larger" venue at the Burton Cummings Theatre. A few things have changed since the band last played here in 2010. They were in town to support their then new album, Together. Since then they have released two albums, Brill Bruisers and they're latest, Whiteout Conditions. The new album is the first without longtime members, Dan Bejar and drummer, Kurt Dahle, who was replaced by Joe Seiders. The new record is a departure, or should I say a progression from they're usual indie power poppy sound to a more synth, keyboard driving beats sound which has taken time for me to digest and process. All in all, it makes for more of a pulsating club beat experience. On this tour, there was no Bejar or Neko Case and in their place tour member Simi Stone provided more backing vocals and violin for extra depth to their sound. Kathryn Calder has done a commendable job taking over Case's vocal parts when she is absent as I've seen the band more without Case than with. They aren't the most visually interesting band on stage, so the colourful flashing neon lights and Stone's energetic stage presence was a pleasant distraction. The real deal is still the music and the New Pornographers still are the masters of delivering near perfect pop songs, hook after hook. As a longtime fan I appreciated the last two songs of the set and the encore, classic stuff. (but again if you want more Dan and Neko songs see the previous post)

I recorded the show on the floor from the 6th row. Technically, I was further back as the floor in front of the stage was jam packed. FYI, if you buy a ticket to the Burt (or probably any venue) in the first two rows expect some one's ass in your face. Don't even bother to try sitting if you're anywhere near the front. I stood all through the New Pornographers set and my feet were aching, next time more comfortable shoes! The advantage to standing on the floor with theatre seats is that you get more space around you if you stand in front of your seat. No jackass backing into you or elbowing you in the head, your own personal space and less chatter. The recording sounds pretty good, with little talking around me and the mix sounded better and clearer in the recording than at the concert. Go figure!
Enjoy!

Remember:
SHARE, but DO NOT SELL!
Please DO NOT CONVERT to lossy (mp3) or share in that format.

NEW PORNOGRAPHERS
Burton Cummings Theatre
Winnipeg, MB
October 7, 2017
Audience Master

Sony ECM-DS70P mic> Tascam DR-07> USB> 16 bit Wav>
Direct Wave MP3 splitter> FLAC> rar file

01. The Jessica Numbers
02. Whiteout Conditions
03. Dancehall Domine
04. Moves
05. Colosseums
06. The Laws Have Changed
07. High Ticket Attractions
08. Champions Of Red Wine
09. Adventures In Solitude
10. All The Old Showstoppers
11. This Is The World Of The Theatre
12. Sing Me Spanish Techno
13. Backstairs
14. Play Money
15. Testament To Youth In Verse
16. Sweet Talk, Sweet Talk
17. Avalanche Alley
18. Use It
19. Mass Romantic

Encore
20. The Slow Descent Into Alcoholism
21. Brill Bruisers
22. The Bleeding Heart Show

NEW PORNOGRAPHERS- 2017-10-07 Winnipeg, MB FLAC Master .rar

New Pornographers- MacEwan Ballroom, Calgary, AB, October 12, 2007

If you read my previous post, you know I'm going to a concert on October 7th besides The Fuse fundraiser. I'm going to see the New Pornographers, a band I've seen at least 6 times previously in Winnipeg and Calgary. The shows were all good, despite a couple times without vocalist, Neko Case who if you haven't heard has a somewhat successful, at least in indie terms, solo career. The last time I saw the band, my recording wasn't good as the levels were accidentally set with a max volume setting which produced a flat tinny sounding recording. A few shows stand out in positive terms though, like the first time I saw the band in 2002 with the original lineup at the WECC. It was a fun show with plenty of good-natured banter between Carl and Neko and the band was very entertaining. Cool covers of  Cruel To Be Kind, Action, Send Me A Postcard and a mini-Heart set "riff-off" were highlights. This was the show that made me realize Neko Case was the coolest ever! (my post, "Vintage Porn" with my mp3 recording of the show)

The other stand out show was in Calgary pretty close to 10 years ago to this date with the complete lineup with Neko and Dan Bejar who doesn't tour with the band much outside of shows in Vancouver. I realized how awkward and weird it must be for the band to have Dan drift on and off the stage only staying on stage if he was singing lead, of course with a glass in his hand, classic! There's almost always a special feeling seeing a band in another city and I felt all warm and fuzzy standing in the middle of the horde on the MacEwan Ballroom floor at the University of Calgary. It was tight and sweaty surrounded by screaming college girls and this show goes down on my list of most enjoyable or at least memorable concerts. I happened to be in town for a conference that weekend and I actually bought a ticket at the door. I fortunately brought my recording gear to Calgary (who doesn't travel with audio recording gear?) and captured the show in all it's glory. As mentioned there was some chatter and screaming, but you get used to it quick and the recording sounds just like you were there in the crowd. It's not perfect, but I thought it was too good not to share and revisit. I posted this show on Dime a few days after the show and posted only a few song highlights (no longer available) on the blog. I thought to prepare myself for the concert on Saturday I would share the complete show from 10 years ago in lossless format. It's kind of a re-seed from Dime, but now is exclusive to TDIT. It's a great show and I admit I haven't been as enthusiastic about their newer material as I was with this earlier era. I'm sure they won't play many of the songs from this setlist on Saturday so enjoy this classic show.
Enjoy!

• My original post of the New Pornographers 2007 Calgary show "There's Nothing Like Great Porn!" 
• Share! Please DO NOT sell and convert to lossy mp3 format.

NEW PORNOGRAPHERS
"MacEwan Ballroom"
Calgary, AB, Canada
October 12, 2007

Audience MASTER
Sony ECM-DS70P mic> Sharp MD-MT90> ADS Instant Music> USB> Nero Soundtrax> Wav>
Direct Wave MP3 Splitter> FLAC> rar

01. Intro [Classical Gas]
02. All The Things That Go To Heaven And Earth
03. Use It
04. Myriad Harbour
05. Electric Version
06. All The Old Showstoppers
07. Jackie, Dressed In Cobras
08. Challengers
09. The Laws Have Changed
10. The Spirit Of Giving
11. My Rights Versus Yours
12. Mass Romantic
13. Adventures In Solitude
14. Twin Cinema
15. Go Places
16. Sing Me Spanish Techno
17. Bleeding Heart Show

encore
18. Mutiny, I Promise You
19. Jackie
20. From Blown Speakers
21. The Slow Descent Into Alcoholism

 length [86:18]

NEW PORNOGRAPHERS- 2007-10-12 FLAC Master. rar

This Saturday, PTSD Benefit Featuring The Fuse

It's not often I use this blog to promote upcoming fundraising concerts or special events, but when I feel it is something important I want to get the word out to as many people as possible. This isn't a disaster relief concert or a show promoting some fashionable fad, no it's an often overlooked subject that is affecting more people than you would think.

On Saturday, October 7th at the Park Theatre is the fourth annual benefit concert for the Heroes Are Humans project that provides services to military personnal and first responders who are living with post traumatic effects of their job. The concert is in memory of Ken Barker, a first responder from Winnipeg who took his own life after battling PTSD. According to a study, 24% of first responders suffer from PTSD, a rate three times higher than the regular population.

The Winnipeg band, The Fuse are once again headlining the concert with a performance from musician and first responder, Kevin Davison who opens the show. The Fuse hadn't been active much for many years, but have reassembled and performed at the last three benefits. My pal, Hugh has a personal connection with Ken and his family and he has been connected to the members of the Fuse since the 70's. He has organized this event every year to help raise funds for the project and to raise awareness because this isn't a problem that will just go away. I admire his drive and unselfish attitude and hope more people are educated and more informed than before. He also wants people to come enjoy the music and have a good time, as each year this show brings me back with nostalgic memories of the old days seeing The Fuse (aka: The Six, Jeffrey Hatcher and the Big Beat) at socials and clubs around town in the 80's. I have attended in whole or in part all the shows and if I can show support by buying a ticket and attending, that's the very least I can do. Unfortunately, I'm double booked with another concert the same night, so I'll contribute by donation (or both?). If you are in Winnipeg and are interested in attending, please consider buying a ticket (eventbrite.com), it's for a worthy cause.

Here's a link to last year's benefit. A nice sounding live audio recording of The Fuse and some nifty looking photos I took.
Enjoy!