Music Monday - Great Big Sea

It's a glum time of year, so I am drawn to more lively music to motivate me. Some of the most energetic I know of comes from Great Big Sea:

(shown here with the Chieftains, from the fabulous 1998 'Fire in the Kitchen' CD which was my first exposure to GBS)(Ah, The Chieftains.. I love them so. And miss Derek Bell terribly...)

Wikipedia describes Great Big Sea (often shortened to GBS) as "a Canadian folk-rock band from Newfoundland and Labrador, best known for performing energetic rock interpretations of traditional Newfoundland folk songs including sea shanties, which draw from the island's 500-year-old Irish, English, and French heritage. The band also performs original material".


They are apparently 'more fun than a barrel of monkeys' in concert (plus! awesome harmonies), although I'm yet to experience this for myself. I've had tickets to go see them *twice* now, and both times I've had to miss it. Third time is bound to be a charm! Waiting anxiously for them to come this way again...

Who is *your* favorite 'energetic' group?

Music Monday - more Great Big Sea!

This weekend, after 2 failed attempts, I finally got to go see Great Big Sea in concert. (I've posted about their awesomeness before, here.)

We got to see them at the old Moore Theater -

(I haven't been there before - twas all greys and castle-y..)

It was loud and high energy - as was to be expected I suppose...

...although my favorite songs of theirs are their awesome a capella traditional harmonies...which is what I'[m sharing with you today (from their latest album)-

Music Monday - Steamcon Part II

Went to a fun Sea (Sky) Shanty panel at Steamcon. (Here is a live performance by my fav shanty singers, Great Big Sea):

Local Folk Musician/Eclecticist, Naill Townley gave a fabulous presentation on everything you ever wanted to know about sea shantys, but didn't know to ask... 

Great presentation, great voice. Lots of singing-along. :-) (You can see the framework of the presentation here. Plus a bunch more shanties for your listening pleasure.)

I also got to hear a fun presentation by the artist GOH, Gary Gianni - graphic novel artist extraordinaire. Lots of talk about his research and process in illustrating 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (see below):

Had a lovely chat about his book, his current projects and the state of the art world.

(got this great Cap'n Nemo drawing when he signed my copy!)

But the best part of Steamcon is experiencing it with your friends. :-) I got to go again this year with the awesome Laundry Faerie - who was unfortunately hatless...

(a thing I thought needed to be remedied. I made her try on a number of options - there are so many fabulous possibilities!)

Here's the one she ended up with. :-)

We saw so many things of wonder. Am sad we have to wait an Entire Year before going again!

Alas, am packing away the steampunkery until then....