I have also included a mention of Alan Doyle’s From The Road entries on his official webpage as these provide an interesting perspective of what was important from musician's point of view on the tour.
As a researcher and fan I always find it interesting to read what songs and moments touch concert goers and reviewer’s souls during a concert. The first article “Barenaked Ladies – Massey Hall, Toronto” by Jesse Espana published in Lithiummagazine.com on the 16 November, 2015. Alan Doyle and The Beautiful Gypsies were only briefly mentioned and she did not mention the appearance of Dee Snider except in setlist encore either. However, the reviewer did write about the appearance of Ed Robertson’s two sons who joined him on stage for a song and a comprehensive set list of songs including the encore which gave readers an idea of the songs both old and new that were played. I have copied the setlist below for interested fans.
Although not a review, the article “What happens when the Barenaked Ladies add a Twisted Sister?” by Joe Warmington published in the Toronto Sun, on the 20 November, 2015 provided an insight into how Dee Snider managed to appear on stage at the Barenaked Ladies concert at Massey Hall in Toronto on the 13 November. There are quite a few videos of Dee Snider with the Barenaked Ladies singing “We’re Not Gonna Take It.” on YouTube which was really fantastic. I have previously circulated a copy on my Google + page.
The second article “Music Review. Alan Doyle and the Ladies put on a show” by Lynn Saxberg published in The Ottawa Citizen on the 22 November, 2015 wrote about the final concert in the Ontario section of the Barenaked Ladies with Alan Doyle tour. The reviewer had some very nice, but very true words to say about Alan Doyle and The Beautiful Gypsies. “Alan Doyle’s terrific opening set would have been difficult for a lesser band to follow. The gregarious singer-songwriter ramped up his dynamic performance even more than usual, refusing to waste a second of his precious stage time. His enthusiasm had everyone in the crowd on their feet by the second tune”. The rest of the Alan Doyle and The Beautiful Gypsies comments are posted below.
The third article “Barenaked Ladies and Alan Doyle an All Canadian Concert Experience." by Jason Clevett was published in online magazine gaycalgary.com in November, 2015. Again some kind words about Alan Doyle and The Beautiful Gypsies. This article was retweeted by Alan Doyle on his official Twitter account. After reading this article I began to really regret that I did not travelled to Canada to see these two awesome bands play together. Next time for sure.
Alan Doyle wrote a From The Road post for his official webpage titled ‘YYT’ posted on the 16 November 2015. He reflected about the role of Alan Doyle and The Beautiful Gypsies as an opening act and his relationships with the Barenaked Ladies during a delay in St. John’s. This part is about singing Lovers in a Dangerous Time, one of my favourite songs. “…When Ed asked me to sing Lovers in a Dangerous time with them, he wondered if I knew it. I answered honestly. ‘Ed, I figure I’ve been singing that song about two weeks less than you.’ I started singing that song in pubs the moment I heard it first. One of my fav covers of all time…It has been positively surreal some nights to stand on stage with them and be treated like an equal and a pal. I am a lucky bastard. ” Alan attached an awesome bootleg video from one the concerts to the post. The rest of the post and a link to the video is on his official webpage.
As with the previous posts, I have copied only the parts relevant to Alan Doyle and The Beautiful Gypsies due to copyright. For fans interested in the Barenaked Ladies part of the concert I have shared the reviews where possible on my Google + page. To the best of my knowledge these reviews were also shared by the official social media accounts of the musicians involved and some fans sites.
"Barenaked Ladies – Massey Hall, Toronto." by Jesse Espana published in Lithium Magazine Online on the 16 November, 2015.
“…BNL brought open Great Big Sea‘s Alan Doyle out to help with Lovers in a Dangerous Time and it added that much more to the song. Robertson’s two sons came out for Keepin’ It Real as one joined Hearn and Robertson on guitar and the other sat behind a miniature drum set next to Stewarts. Robertson joked that they couldn’t be a band forever and that their kids could potentially become to next touring line up for BNL. For Roberton’s eldest, who was mentioned as having his first shift at his first ever job, it must have been quite the week. The accompaniments made the music more enjoyable and fun.
The peak of the performance came with If I Had $1,000,000, alongside Alan Doyle and his backing band. The crowd waited patiently for it and were ready when it hit. Everyone sang and danced and were on the brink of holding hands as if the whole hall turned into a campfire singalong.
Setlist:
Get Back Up
The Old Apartment
Odds Are
Gonna Walk
Matter of Time
Brian Wilson
Narrow Streets
Lovers in a Dangerous Time (w/ Alan Doyle)
For You
Falling for the First Time
Did I Say That Out Loud?
Passcode
Keepin’ It Real
Duct Tape Heart
Pinch Me
Big Bang Theory Theme
One Week
If I Had $1,000,000
Barenaked Rap
Encore:
Drawing
Rock and Roll (Led Zeppelin cover)
We’re Not Gonna Take it (w/ Dee Snider)”
“Music Review. Alan Doyle and the Ladies put on a show.” by Lynn Saxberg from the Ottawa Citizen online published on the 22 November, 2015.
“….A big bonus was the opening act: Great Big Sea’s Alan Doyle unfurled a crisp set of his solo material with a handpicked band he calls the Beautiful Gypsies (renamed the Beautiful Tipsy’s in honour of the tour’s conclusion). More about them in a moment…
Towards the end, they brought out each member of Doyle’s band to play on various songs, including the talented fiddler, Kendall Carson, culminating in a mass singalong of If I Had a Million Dollars that featured all members of both bands, as well as the audience. The grand finale was a face-melting double punch of an encore that included Drawing, a song from their children’s album reinvented as a Stooges-like screamer sung by Stewart, and the classic Zep tune, Rock and Roll.
Alan Doyle’s terrific opening set would have been difficult for a lesser band to follow. The gregarious singer-songwriter ramped up his dynamic performance even more than usual, refusing to waste a second of his precious stage time. His enthusiasm had everyone in the crowd on their feet by the second tune.
With fiddle, accordion and mandolin players on stage with him, Doyle clearly hadn’t lost sight of his folk roots, although the focus was on his original material. Long hair flying, the grinning Doyle sang with gusto and was bouncing with energy as he tore through I Can’t Dance Without You, the GBS song, When I’m Up, and So It’s Gone. There was a brief change of pace for the poignant Laying Down to Perish before the band settled into the electric-guitar crunch of I’ve Seen a Lot, letting their rock flags fly. Another highlight was the recent single, The Night Loves Us, one of Doyle’s first songs to be played on U.S. radio….
A couple of other GBS songs also made it into the set, including Ordinary Day and Sea of No Cares, as well as a rendition of Happy Birthday for a fan, plus a guest appearance by Barenaked Ladies’ Robertson on accordion, sending up a rollicking version of 1 2 3 4”.
“Barenaked Ladies and Alan Doyle an All Canadian Concert Experience." by Jason Clevett published in gaycalgary in November, 2015.
“...There are few Canadian bands that have enjoyed the longevity and success of The Barenaked Ladies and Great Big Sea. The future of Great Big Sea remains in doubt with the recent departure of Sean McCann, but Alan Doyle continues to make music. Put the charismatic Newfoundlander on the bill with one of Canada’s most entertaining live acts and you were guaranteed a good time. Which is exactly what the Calagary audience at the Jubilee Auditorium November 1 got.
Doyle, touring behind his second solo album So Let’s Go, blended solo songs like the stunning Laying Down to Perish and Testify from his first solo album Boy on Bridge with GBS hits like Sea of No Cares and Ordinary Day. Backed by his Beautiful Gypsies Doyle brought the energy level up for evening, wrapping things up with having Ed Robertson join him on the finale 1 2 3 4. This was Doyle’s second visit to Calgary this year, having headlined the Jack Singer in March, and he is always a pleasure to watch...”
I have included a copy of this absolutely drop dead gorgeous Alan Doyle selfie taken outside Massey Hall in Toronto before the concert. The photograph is from the official Twitter account of Alan Doyle. No copyright infringement intended.
Alan Doyle @alanthomasdoyle This fella. This place. Tonight. Thank u. 13 November, 2015.
The peak of the performance came with If I Had $1,000,000, alongside Alan Doyle and his backing band. The crowd waited patiently for it and were ready when it hit. Everyone sang and danced and were on the brink of holding hands as if the whole hall turned into a campfire singalong.
Setlist:
Get Back Up
The Old Apartment
Odds Are
Gonna Walk
Matter of Time
Brian Wilson
Narrow Streets
Lovers in a Dangerous Time (w/ Alan Doyle)
For You
Falling for the First Time
Did I Say That Out Loud?
Passcode
Keepin’ It Real
Duct Tape Heart
Pinch Me
Big Bang Theory Theme
One Week
If I Had $1,000,000
Barenaked Rap
Encore:
Drawing
Rock and Roll (Led Zeppelin cover)
We’re Not Gonna Take it (w/ Dee Snider)”
“Music Review. Alan Doyle and the Ladies put on a show.” by Lynn Saxberg from the Ottawa Citizen online published on the 22 November, 2015.
“….A big bonus was the opening act: Great Big Sea’s Alan Doyle unfurled a crisp set of his solo material with a handpicked band he calls the Beautiful Gypsies (renamed the Beautiful Tipsy’s in honour of the tour’s conclusion). More about them in a moment…
Towards the end, they brought out each member of Doyle’s band to play on various songs, including the talented fiddler, Kendall Carson, culminating in a mass singalong of If I Had a Million Dollars that featured all members of both bands, as well as the audience. The grand finale was a face-melting double punch of an encore that included Drawing, a song from their children’s album reinvented as a Stooges-like screamer sung by Stewart, and the classic Zep tune, Rock and Roll.
Alan Doyle’s terrific opening set would have been difficult for a lesser band to follow. The gregarious singer-songwriter ramped up his dynamic performance even more than usual, refusing to waste a second of his precious stage time. His enthusiasm had everyone in the crowd on their feet by the second tune.
With fiddle, accordion and mandolin players on stage with him, Doyle clearly hadn’t lost sight of his folk roots, although the focus was on his original material. Long hair flying, the grinning Doyle sang with gusto and was bouncing with energy as he tore through I Can’t Dance Without You, the GBS song, When I’m Up, and So It’s Gone. There was a brief change of pace for the poignant Laying Down to Perish before the band settled into the electric-guitar crunch of I’ve Seen a Lot, letting their rock flags fly. Another highlight was the recent single, The Night Loves Us, one of Doyle’s first songs to be played on U.S. radio….
A couple of other GBS songs also made it into the set, including Ordinary Day and Sea of No Cares, as well as a rendition of Happy Birthday for a fan, plus a guest appearance by Barenaked Ladies’ Robertson on accordion, sending up a rollicking version of 1 2 3 4”.
“Barenaked Ladies and Alan Doyle an All Canadian Concert Experience." by Jason Clevett published in gaycalgary in November, 2015.
“...There are few Canadian bands that have enjoyed the longevity and success of The Barenaked Ladies and Great Big Sea. The future of Great Big Sea remains in doubt with the recent departure of Sean McCann, but Alan Doyle continues to make music. Put the charismatic Newfoundlander on the bill with one of Canada’s most entertaining live acts and you were guaranteed a good time. Which is exactly what the Calagary audience at the Jubilee Auditorium November 1 got.
Doyle, touring behind his second solo album So Let’s Go, blended solo songs like the stunning Laying Down to Perish and Testify from his first solo album Boy on Bridge with GBS hits like Sea of No Cares and Ordinary Day. Backed by his Beautiful Gypsies Doyle brought the energy level up for evening, wrapping things up with having Ed Robertson join him on the finale 1 2 3 4. This was Doyle’s second visit to Calgary this year, having headlined the Jack Singer in March, and he is always a pleasure to watch...”
I have included a copy of this absolutely drop dead gorgeous Alan Doyle selfie taken outside Massey Hall in Toronto before the concert. The photograph is from the official Twitter account of Alan Doyle. No copyright infringement intended.
Alan Doyle @alanthomasdoyle This fella. This place. Tonight. Thank u. 13 November, 2015.
