Great Big Sea! Great Big Sea! Great Big Sea!

Alan Doyle (l) and Sean McCann (r) at the Southern Theater (photo by Eric)

"Chantal was from Moncton, elle joue avec moi

A tongue as sharp as razors but she had a fancy car"

("Helmethead" - GBS/Something Beautiful)

My favorite band is Great Big Sea. You quite possibly have never heard of them. That's ok. But I feel I should post about them.

They sell out arenas in Canada year 'round. When they make it down here to the States, they play small clubs like the Southern Theater in Columbus. I've seen them at the Southern Theater three times now, as well as various other clubs around the midwest. The Southern Theater is a beautiful theater though if you ever have the opportunity to see a band there.

They hail from Newfoundland and their music is a wonderful mix of traditional celtic, pop, maritime tunes.

Their cd "Something Beautiful" is an absolute masterpiece in my opinion. Great songwriting and performance. I'm talking GREAT songs..."Let It Go", "Something Beautiful", "Lucky Me", and "When I Am King" - my favorite song! They have many cds out now as well as a few live concert dvds. The Hard & The Easy lays claim to being the only album in history to feature TWO songs about horses falling through ice! ("Concerning Charlie Horse" and "Tickle Cove Pond"...the latter which will make you shed a tear if you have half a heart!)

Bob Hallett at the Southern Theater (photo by Eric)

"I knew that the ice grew weaker each day, But still took the risk and kept haulin away.

One evening in April bound home with a load, my mare showed some halting against the ice road.

She knew more than I did as matters turned out, Been lucky for me had I joined her in doubt.

She turned round her head with tears in her eyes, as if she were sayin 'You're risking our lives'"

("Tickle Cove Pond" - GBS/The Hard & The Easy)

I've had the opportunity to meet them and they are extremely nice, down to earth guys and will very often go to the local pub for a pint after one of their shows with any number of their fans. (They are hockey fans which makes them even cooler.) For example, Cate and I had a great conversation with Alan after their Louisville show on the Something Beautiful tour.

Alan Doyle, Sean McCann, and Bob Hallett are the main members who are joined by Murray Foster on bass and Kris MacFarlane on drums. The boys each play a number of instruments from guitar to bodhran to bouzouki to accordian.

Some of the tunes on their cds are their versions of traditional Newfoundland and/or Irish music (which I love) and of course they also write their own material (which I also love!) and a frequent writing partner is Chris Trapper of The Push Stars...another great band by the way. Chris also does solo work and is a fantastic songwriter.

Anyway, if you like good music you owe it to yourself to check these guys out. I would recommend the "Something Beautiful" cd for your first exploration into their music. I absolutely love all of their stuff, but I think that one is the best introduction to the band if you know nothing about them. "Fortune's Favour" is their latest offering and it too is great start to finish. "The Hard & The Easy" is a collection of traditional works that is a touch less accessible if you are just getting into the band I would imagine, although it's one of my favorites.

They are one of the few bands that I rush out to get their new releases, and I never miss a chance to see them live. Their concerts are truly fantastic fun and if you get the chance to see them live, do it.

"Wake up without a care, your head's not heavy, your conscience clear

Sins are all forgiven here, yours and mine

Fear is gone without a trace, it's the perfect time in the perfect place

Nothing's hurt, nothing sore, no one suffers anymore,

the doctor's found a simple cure just in time."

("When I Am King" - GBS/Something Beautiful)