Happy Anniversay For Alan Doyle And Boy On Bridge...

It is the first anniversary of the release of Alan Doyle’s Boy on Bridge debut solo CD released last year on the 16 May 2012. I had heard some of the songs off Boy on Bridge CD before but only on Youtube and quality videos made by Alan Doyle and some other live recordings for example,Lover’s Hands and Testify that were made by Russell Crowe and posted on his South Sydney Media site. Others included some official videos of Where the Nightingales Sing, The Rules Will All Be Broken and I Have Seen A Little. So it was exciting to finally have a hard copy of this wonderful CD.

There is something special about hearing music from a CD as preferable to Youtube and a bootlegged live recording. After all the not so hot recordings from Youtube and other sources I have listened to I was totally blown away by the sound, the quality of the recordings, the words and the beautiful tone of Alan Doyle’s voice on the CD. It was exciting and emotional to listen. 

I have been a fan of Alan Doyle’s now for a couple of years and followed the making of the CD from his Twitter posts. Bits and pieces were posted like a small video of the recording of Sorry. But until I heard the final full product I didn’t really understand what an accomplishment and how rewarding it must have been to get together with those people and produce a product like the one he has.  

There were a couple of songs I hadn’t heard before, for some reason, like Love While Love’s Awake, Light the Way and Perfect Excuse which I absolutely loved and were totally surprised by. And I heard a different interpretation of some of the other songs like Break It Slow and Lover’s Hands with instrumental backgrounds rather than just the guitar which although beautiful when played solo is spectacular as well.

I can now understand why musicians and artists are taking it upon themselves to develop alternative technology to enable music fans to experience better sounding music and experience music in way that many music fans never have.

One of the disadvantages of not living in Canada and Newfoundland and at the centre of the world that is Great Big Sea and Alan Doyle is we miss out on a lot of content that other fans get and discuss on social media. I had not seen the CMT special Live At Revival because it was not available in my country. I was not prepared to watch a pirated copy provided by Lynda Elstad (@lyndahere) however, easy it was to click onto Youtube and watch it. It was well worth the wait. I loved Alan Doyle’s commentary on the goals of what he wanted to achieve and how he makes music and collaborates with others. 

As Lyndahere informs us she is writing a birthday blog and the year that was, I would like to revisit some other things she has done to Alan Doyle. So the question to me is with this beautifully produced CD  and music special Live At Revival why flood the music market with lots of copies of poor quality bootlegged copies of live performances which to be honest do not do the music Alan writes and the songs he sings justice. Although I am sure he is fabulous live.

Even before the release of the CD Lyndahere had recorded and began bootlegging many of the songs recorded at the Live at Revival show recorded prior to the release and began distributing them on Twitter and through her blog. Although after arguments with other fans she decided only to release snippets. Despite admitting the sound was poor quality and she was not in a good spot to record she still went ahead and recorded without his permission or the permission of the producers and released it. Lyndahere recorded illegally a pirated copy of the special and made a copy available despite the requests of the producers to have it only distributed in Canada.

Lyyndahere will argue undeniably that Alan Doyle is best live. This is of course a unique experience they share and have in common which no one else shares. She has recorded endlessly his songs and music on videos. She is there between the audience and him and decides what we should hear, how we should hear it and what we should see.

I love his CD the sound, his words, the quality and purity of his voice. His words, tone of voice and music move me emotionally and we have a connection. The music is shared between me and him and there is no Lyndahere on that CD. 

After all the research and now the results I do not believe Lyndahere’s endless bootlegging and pirating does him or his music justice and I certainly don’t believe it sells songs, CDs or seats to shows. But surely how the music of Alan Doyle is seen by the audience should be how he wishes it to be presented and not by Lyndahere. Lyndahere if she truely believes then go with the flow and let what happens happens without her input however valuable she believes it is.

And what the reviewers said about Boy on Bridge

East Coast Music by Bob Mersereau on 16 May 2012 at www.cbc.ca/nb/mt/east.../music-review-alan-doyle---boy-on-bridge.html‎

"...Boy On Bridge itself is a title with a point. It refers to the bridge that joins the two parts of his hometown of Petty Harbour, Newfoundland, and it's Doyle's way of saying that no matter how far he strays from his roots, he's still the same kid from that fishing village. After all, it's a disc that sees him go from Nashville to L.A. and around, recording with his pals from those worlds. It's like a reassurance to fans, friends and family, and a statement of intent to himself to not let all that change him. But he's not going to stop experimenting with the music, especially when he has a solo album without the expectations of his bandmates and group fans.

So, is it wildly different than a GBS album? Not over-the-top, no. It's still centered on his vocals and energetic songs, and he hasn't delved into hip-hop or heavy metal. But you'll find new styles for sure. Love While Love's Awake is a ballad, piano with strings and such, maybe the most tender song he's done. That's followed by Light The Way, maybe his biggest guitar rocker, with big power chords and drums. There's a blues number that was written with Russell Crowe, and recorded with Colin James. Another team-up sees Blue Rodeo's Jim Cuddy guest on harmonies for the pop-folk tune Northern Plains. And Doyle's writing partnership with Gordie Sampson continues; the pair hit Nashville to make the modern country number I've Seen A Little. That major production is the first single from the record, and will certainly stand out as not the typical Great Big Sea song.

He's touched a lot of bases there, and it's all hung together as an album well, showing he can handle a lot of styles. What's NOT there is interesting, too. No tradional. No Newfoundland folk songs. The two cornerstones of Great Big Sea music. And that's the big stretch. While it's not a surprise for Doyle to sing modern music, as we all know from the band's hit-making days of Run Runaway and such, it is quite something for him to move so far from his comfort zone. Are fans ready to follow him that way? I think so, especially with the knowledge that when needed, it's still there in the band setting. It actually took me a couple of listens to remember that side of Doyle wasn't here, because we're used to the pop-rock of the group after these 19 years anyway...

Alan Doyle Boy on Bridge by Casadie Pederson 31 May 2012 at www.topcountry.ca

..."Just like the bridge that once separated the Protestant and Catholic sides of his hometown, Doyle stands with both feet spanning the short divide between rock and country. There’s just as much rock attack as there is country release on this effort, providing enough stylistic shifts from track to track to make listening an interesting navigation. If the jubilant guitar riff in the first single, ‘I’ve Seen a Little,’ rings somewhat familiar, it’s purposefully so. In his website blog, Doyle notes that he wanted to “write a real simple country/rock tune that almost any band could play real quickly.” Mission well accomplished. The song’s keep on striving sentiment leads nicely into the bold, this is my moment statement of ‘My Day,’ the first track on the collection to get a big country stamp in the form of a fiddle and dobro breakdown. The waltz-time fairytale of ‘When The Nightingale Sings’ brings a gentle breather before the bluesy shuffle of ‘Testify’, co-written with Crowe, kicks things back into higher gear featuring some searing guitar work from Colin James. The rock energy continues to run high on ‘Light The Way’ and ‘Perfect Excuse,’ while ‘Lover’s Hands’ and ‘Love While Love’s Awake’ stand on the more contemplative side of the stream.

Boy on Bridge has a lot of places it wants to go but, it manages not to make any disconcerting detours. The farthest side trip is also the most scenic. ‘The Rules Will All Be Broken,’ a collaboration with Mike Post, puts Doyle in an unexpected but, refreshing orchestral setting as he makes a plea to “Come and follow me. Oh, with footsteps free through the sunlight and the snow. We’ll cross the line and we’ll take our time. The rules will all be broken when we go.” It beautifully sets up the album closer, ‘Where I Belong,’ with nothing but Doyle’s endearing, scruffy baritone delivering a love letter to his home"...

What The Fans Have Said About Great Big Sea XX...

Many people are involved in discussing the performances and work of Great Big Sea including arts and entertainment critics for a variety of hard copy and online publications and music bloggers but what have the fans really thought. Their thoughts have been expressed on Twitter, Facebook and a range of Internet sites like Ticketmaster Canada. I have found some of them and decided to include a post on what they thought of the shows with their opinions and thoughts just as valid as the rest of us who write blogs or what ever. The comments include the good, the bad and the ugly.

There is always the question of who are the original authors of these posts. It is difficult to decide when people can post anonymously online. But the comments I have read have not been sugary and sickly sweet, some of them openly honest despite their love of the band, more so more than what Lynda Elstad (@lyndahere) presents in her posts and reviews of the shows she attends. Hopefully some of those criticisms are valid and not just spite and jealousy rearing it's ugly head and the band will take them on.

I find the comments made by Fartburger about photography and videoing at the concert and the lack of enforcement of the conditions interesting. For years these conditions have been printed on the tickets and not observed as we all know and nowhere more evident in the fandom of Lynda Here. But what is interesting the artists and musicians performing at various venues and making these requests then in turn reward people who break the conditions on the ticket by acknowledging their photos on Twitter and other social media sites. But photography is the less of two evils and is preferable to bootlegging. Fans taking either bootlegging and photography for personal use I believe is okay.

This is a work in progress as I venture around to see what the fans are saying. Their opinions are important too. These opinions were expressed on the Ticketmaster website in Canada.

GBS 2 nights in a row!! Woohoo!! Southern Alberta Jubille Auditorium - Calgary - Fri, March 15, 2013

by MBfanforever

Loved seeing these guys two nights in a row! They played some different songs within the setlist which was wonderful!! Sean McCann especially seemed revitalized on the second night!! Alan was funny as usual!! And Bob played great accordion!! I try to see them everytime they come to town!! Soo worth it! Enjoyable nights x 2 = life is grand!!

Great Big Sea Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium - Calgary - Fri, Mar 15, 2013 

by KatalinK

It was a great party atmosphere but the sound was distorted as it was too loud. Their great voices were not as clear as in past concerts and were sometimes strained. The venue was good.

Singing and dancing Nuffie Style Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium - Calgary - Thu, Mar 14, 2013

by Dust3

I really enjoyed this show, we had great seats, if you like to dance. Our whole section was up and dancing so for those grumpy people who wished to stay seated throughout the concert then they should have chosen other seats or stayed home.

Great, but not exceptional Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium  - Calgary - Thu, Mar 14, 2013 

by Fartburger

Well, I will say that for being around for 20 years, they still have their voices and their harmony. It was noticeable that Sean mc cann has pushed hs vocal limits to the edge, as he was not as clear as he was last time around, which is probably why the song General Taylor was left off the set list. As this is my favorite song of all time by GBS, I was sad not to hear it....but maybe better that he didn't try, than to not have it as good as always......I did hear him nail that song at the saddledome once, and with 14000 other voices joining in, it brought tears to my eyes, along with several others. Thank you Sean for that memory.

The only other thing that they had problems with is " random small talk " . You can be the best band ever, but if you can't relate to the audience, it does not matter.

ABOUT THE STAFF AT THE JUBLIEE : it was printed on the ticket, and announcements were made, that no cameras, recorders, etc were allowed at the show at any time. Now, for the average intelligent human, that is easy to understand. So why is it that as soon as the lights go out, several dozen cell phones, etc, began to take pictures, and film the entire show, while the staff did nothing to stop them....I remember being at the saddledome for an event, and for those people who decided that they should ignore that rule, were promptly escorted out. Why did the staff at the jubilee not enforce the rules ? I find it very odd as well, that this review page gives you the option of showing your pictures and video, as it s run by the same company that did the tickets, with the words no cameras or recorders printed on the ticket.

A giant kitchen party! Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium - Calgary - Thu, Mar 14, 2013 @ 

Favourite moment: I enjoyed the video hilighting the last XX years and the comments from the band. @ 

by HarveytheHound

I was concerned that the elegant surroundings of the Jubilee would take something away from the fun that is Great Big Sea. Luckily, it did not. In fact. the sloped seating was a bonus when the fans got on their feet. I could still see the band! I believe that a great time was had by all! Favourite moment: I enjoyed the video hilighting the last XX years and the comments from the band.

Great Big Sea at last! MTS Centre - Winnipeg - Sun, Mar 17, 2013  

by Teresita

Great Big Sea started at 7.30 and played till 10 with only 1/2 hr break. Did 3 'encores' and the crowd went wild every time and in between times! The audience participation was the best I have heard at any concert. The group did a mix of traditional and original pieces and some had even the crowd in the upper levels standing. My hands were sore from clapping along to the great rhythms but it was worth it. Hope they don't leave it to long before coming back to give another fantastic concert.

Great Big Sea 20 years of awesome music! MTS Centre - Winnipeg - Sun, Mar 17, 2013  

by Simon1

Favourite moment: Pics of random people during Good People and of course the tribute to Stompin Tom. Setlist: First set sound was muffled. I enjoyed the 2nd better. 

GBS was phenomenal. I have seen them a dozen times or more over the past 20 years, two previously at the MTS Centre. The sound wasn't the best during the first set. It was better during the 2nd. The show was high energy and lively. As one would expect from GBS. Allan and the b'yes are the best. Here's to another 20!

So proud to be a fellow Newfoundlander. GBS showcases the music and it's importance in our culture. The band also displays the graciousness/welcoming feeling that we are known for. GBS are great ambassadors for the province. So very proud!

Great Big Sea - you make Canada proud!!! MTS Centre - Winnipeg @ - Sun, Mar 17, 2013  

by Loriwuzhere

Always awesome to see this band in concert!!! They are wonderful representatives of everything that makes me proud of the Canadian music scene. They sound as great live as in the studio. They are warm & personable & you can tell they still love to tour after 20 years!!!
The only thing that prevents me from giving this a 5 star rating is that they left out 2 or 3 of their most popular & beloved songs...most notably "When I'm Up", "Clearest Indication" & "Stumbling In". So we had to play those on the car ride home instead!!!

One big kitchen party... Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium @ - Edmonton @ - Wed, Mar 13, 2013 @ 

by janfrn

Favourite moment: The tongue-twisting Come and I Will Sing You by Bob Hallett was superb. @ 

Setlist: Ordinary Day, Born to Believe, What Are You At, When I'm Up, Consequence Free, Going Up, Sea of No Cares, When I Am King, Let My Love Open the Door, Great Big Sea, Safe Upon the Shore, Mermaid, Come and I Will Sing You, Lukey, Captain Kidd, England, Old Black Rum, Paddy Murphy, River Driver's Lament, Mary Mac, Excursion Around the bay and Good People 

With a couple thousand of my closest friends. Great Big Sea has completely mastered the art of audience participation. I'm sure there wasn't a single toe that wasn't at least tapping at any time during the two sets they performed. There were perhaps a few too many reminders that this year is the band's 20th anniversary and I was deeply disappointed not to hear Boston and St John's. But they more than made up for it with their hair-raising harmonies on River Driver's Lament, Safe upon the Shore and England. The sound was a bit over-amped, which caused the lyrics to several tunes to be mostly incoherent. Overall, the show was everything I expected it to be.

Great Big Sea, Newfoundland And The Fan Pilgrimage...

From the moment I stepped off the plane and took the short ride from the airport to my accommodation in downtown St John's I have been in love. Newfoundlanders have been friendly and welcoming,  a change from the hustle and bustle of a big north American city that is Toronto, the weather glorious in all it's Spring shades from the deep biting cold grey overcast skies and rain to the sunshine blue skies. It is spectacular physically, culturally and historically. I understand why the members of Great Big Sea Alan Doyle, Bob Hallett and Sean McCann are eager to return here after weeks away on the tour. It would be easy to call Newfoundland home.






I have been fortunate enough during my time here to visit all the sights associated with Great Big Sea. Alan Doyle tweets affectionately his love of Leo's fish and chips. It was one of my first stops on this fan pilgrimage. I sat in a booth with a picture of the boys in their younger days signed hanging on the wall along with other famous people who ate there for example the Barenaked Ladies eating yummy fish and chips but made the big mistake of not ordering the gravy and dressing. I have also been to The Duke,The Ship, walked past Erin's (Bob Hallett's pub), Fred's Records, down George Street, visited Petty Harbour the home town of Alan Doyle, the LSPU Hall where Russell Crowe and friends did the first Indoor Garden Party Shows, Memorial University (where a poster of an early GBS show hangs on the wall) and walked up Signal Hill. St John's and its people are glorious indeed.













The loyal faithful fans gathered at the Mile One Centre in the early evening on the 29 April 2013 to celebrate twenty years of Great Big Sea. It was a full house as one would expect from the people of St John's. People came from St John's, all over Newfoundland, the Canadian mainland and overseas to listen to music and celebrated with the boys in the band. It was interesting watching the meet and greet among fans, the music of this fabulous band uniting and bringing people together who probably only see each other at Great Big Sea concerts.

From the moment they stepped on stage they thrilled the audience. The crowd was certainly diverse including the more mature folks who enjoy a sit down concert to the young group who love dancing and drinking. But pretty soon every one regardless of age was up dancing in their seats. They played most of their old favourites like The Night Pat Murphy Died, Ordinary Day, Lukey's Boat, Consequence Free and Donkey Riding pleasing the die hard fans and playing some new music like Heart of Hearts and Live This Life while continuing to evolve and move on successfully with the crowd loving it.

The home crowd and the big stage enabled Great Big Sea to shine. After years and weeks on the road together on the bus for this tour the members of the band Alan Doyle, Sean McCann, Bob Hallett, Murray Foster and Kris McFarlane still had a lot of friendship and love for each other. While Alan Doyle is clearly the showman of the band the other members each held their own as talented singers and musicians playing an incredible diverse range of instruments and shining in their own right not to be left out.

There were two encores as one would expect. The first with talented and funny trumpet player Paddy Joe Boyle and the second with former member Darrell Power. The boys graciously acknowledging his contribution and welcoming him to the stage, leaving the audience wanting more.

I don't often agree with Lynda Elstad or @lyndahere in particular about her observations about the audience at Great Big Sea concerts but with these observations she has written about in her blog. While it is great the band has attracted some younger people to concerts and their music, seated in front of us were three young guys who arrived really drunk. They drunk, well skulled what seemed like a drink for every song and could hardly stand up by the end of the concert. They hung around in a group like teenage boys spending more time checking out girls and the audience, checking their phones and taking the occasional video than watching the band perform and listening to the music. Guys maybe time next the pub may be a better venue for you.

It is a shame that Great Big Sea don't play as often as they should in their home town and as often as their home town would like. It leaves their fans not taking them for granted and appreciating them when they do play. It also allows room for other new and emerging talents to develop and take the stage and the tradition that is Newfoundland music to evolve and continue.



Photo by staff photographer Ted Pritchard at The Chronicle Herald in Halifax. The Halifax show was the previous night. (No copyright infringement intended).

The photographs on this site are not mine. They were taken from the Internet. No copyright infringement intended.