Great Big Sea And Their Happily Ever After… A fan’s response.

“What I said was it makes me sad that we have let it slip away so casually. Which is the truth…” Bob Hallett on Facebook.

I don’t know anything about the Canadian band the Tragically Hip, their music or their legacy for Canadian music and their fans. All I know is that one of their members and a respected musician and artist Gord Downie has been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer which is terribly tragic for any person, no matter what they do or where they come from.

So last Saturday (20 August, 2016) the band Gord had played with had decided to do a concert in Kingston, Ontario, Canada where some of the members of the band met and grew up. The concert was telecast on television, radio and the Internet by CBC and attracted the attention of an estimate of 11.7 million viewers. The significance and contribution of Gord Downie, of the Tragically Hip band and this concert were discussed in detail through the traditional media.

This performance seemed to touch many Canadians personally, and their thoughts, words and images were shared on social media including former Great Big Sea members Alan Doyle, Bob Hallett and Sean McCann and many of their fans. Bob Hallett on his official Facebook page chose to post his reflections on Gord Downie, their music, the concert and their ending, but also expressed sadness in the way Great Big Sea ended.

Social media these days has become a great source of ‘news’ for the traditional news media including newspapers who take famous and ordinary people’s posts and make them part of a story. So it was no surprise when a traditional newspaper in St. John’s, Newfoundland, The Telegram used the post to write an article for their daily edition without accurately reflecting what Bobber had said and without contacting him for permission or comment. The article in the newspaper attracted many comments from members of the public and Great Big Sea fans.

The article was then circulated on the Great Big Sea Online Kitchen Party Facebook page and the fans were off again expressing their views about Great Big Sea and the way it all ended. Many of the fans who commented on the Great Big Sea Online Kitchen Party Facebook did not read the original post and missed the point of what it was about which was how one Canadian rock band chose to perhaps end their story. The post was not about the ending of Great Big Sea which was merely a comment at the end of the post. Bobber originally wrote

“I was lucky enough to play with the Hip a few times, and saw them perform many more.

Even when they were being purposely weird and obscure, they were always tremendous fun to watch, and they continually wrote and arranged amazing songs.

I can't say that Gord Downie and I are friends, though I have met him many times, but I can say this - offstage he was quiet, composed and very self-effacing. When he stepped on stage he became something else, it was where he lived most fully as an artist. The commitment he made to performance was transformative, and watching him over and over again in the 90s taught me many lessons about living your songs, and believing in the power of the moment.

Any artist who really believes in their work would feel nothing but empathy for the choice Downie made, to spend what might be limited time performing with his friends, for the audience from whom he gained so much. Any performer will tell you that the energy on a stage flows both ways, and watching him draw strength from the audience was a powerful and emotional experience.

The show also affected me personally in a way that was perhaps unique just to myself - my own band never got close to the level of the Hip, but Great Big Sea means a hell off a lot to a great many, many people. That the Hip chose, in the darkest night of their lives to reach out to their audience, while we have cast aside our own band so casually, makes me very sad indeed”.

Fans can compare the copy of the Facebook page with newspaper article from The Telegram copied below.

‘Hallett sad Great Big Sea hasn’t said goodbye’…The Telegram, August 22, 2016

Former Great Big Sea member has expressed regret that the band never official said goodbye.

Hallett’s post about the Tragically Hip’s last concert Sunday ended with this comment:

“The show also affected me personally in a way that was perhaps unique just to myself —my own band never got close to the level of the Hip, but Great Big Sea means a hell off a lot to a great many, many people,” Hallett wrote of the folk-rock group that started out in the 1980s but has been dormant in recent times as its members have pursued solo careers.

“That the Hip chose, in the darkest night of their lives to reach out to their audience, while we have cast aside our own band so casually, makes me very sad indeed.”

Hallett said he was lucky enough to play with the Hip a few times and saw them perform many times.

“I can't say that Gord Downie and I are friends, though I have met him many times, but I can say this —offstage he was quiet, composed and very self-effacing,” Hallett wrote of Downie, who has terminal brain cancer and performed a final concert with bandmates Saturday night to live Kingston, Ont., audience and a national television audience of nearly 12 million.

“When he stepped on stage he became something else, it was where he lived most fully as an artist. The commitment he made to performance was transformative, and watching him over and over again in the ’90s taught me many lessons about living your songs, and believing in the power of the moment.

“Any artist who really believes in their work would feel nothing but empathy for the choice Downie made, to spend what might be limited time performing with his friends, for the audience from whom he gained so much. Any performer will tell you that the energy on a stage flows both ways, and watching him draw strength from the audience was a powerful and emotional experience.’

Meanwhile, Hallett’s social media post drew a flurry of comments from supporters who said Great Big Sea means a lot to them and would like to see the members perform together again, even if it’s just for a proper send off.

The Telegram is trying to reach Hallett.

I was interested in how many of the fans on the Great Big Sea Online Kitchen Party Facebook page who commented on this article missed the point of what Bobber was trying to say in his original Facebook page. Some of the fans were critical of the level of journalism and the newspaper had not contacted Bobber for a comment or interview. Yet these fans who have such high standards for our traditional newspapers are less critical or ignore bad behaviour (including criminal stalking, bootlegging and piracy) from their fellow fan paparazzi including supporting fans who pirate illegal content and distribute it without the permission copyright holders. Some fans totally ignore quality and professional interviews, photographs and reviews and do not share those that are in direct competition to fans they consider friends. But this post and the discussion brings home the need for us as consumers of fan material and newspaper articles to be critical in what we read and how we share information.

I agree with Bobber in that perhaps Great Big Sea have let what they had as a band slip away so casually. Those comments also remind me I guess about how lucky I was to have Great Big Sea in my life and how they opened my life to new possibilities and interests. I too took many of the opportunities for granted of seeing them perform live, as I have to travel to see  them wherever they were. There was no next time for me.

Sean McCann also stated on his official Twitter account SeanMcCannSings that he wished things had ended differently with Great Big Sea after the Tragically Hip concert.

Sean McCann @seanmccannsings driving home from my gig in Cornwall with the last notes of @hipdotcom and wishing my own band had ended half as well August 20, 2016.

For those of us fans who tried to tell Sean McCann, years after the last concert of Great Big Sea that we did not like the way it was ending as he was constantly bashing the other band members, the music they made and how the fans who believed in and loved them were somehow deceived by something that wasn’t real in interviews were blocked from his social media accounts including his official Twitter account (including me). I have been following the Great Big Sea ending now for over two and a half years now. Yes I agree their ending certainly hasn’t ended well.

Sean McCann who chose to leave the band has been wallowing in the ending for a considerable amount of time. Sean constantly discusses his addiction to alcohol and other issues, even though according to him, he has been sober for several years and changed his life and music. While that is all good and well, Sean now uses his time with Great Big Sea to publicise his events, then continues to milk the breakup and ending for everything he can through speaking and talking events receiving recognition, validation and support from addicts, agencies, supporters and fans alike .

Sure I can see how a famous person who was addicted to alcohol may help some ordinary people to recognise their addiction and do something about it, but I am wondering how addiction agencies would deal with clients who constantly bashed their former friends and work mates and wrapped them up legally in knots so they can’t move on career wise.

For Sean’s information while Great Big Sea were a party band, alcohol was not an essential ingredient to enjoy their music and show. I for one very rarely drink alcohol, but took great pleasure in all this band had to offer. In the end I just chose my own ending and that was to move on to more positive musical experiences and let the individual members of Great Big Sea write their own happy endings themselves.

Alan Doyle And The Beautiful Gypsies...Hot August days and nights in 2016.

The month of August has been a busy one for Alan Doyle and The Beautiful Gypsies and their fans who travelled far and wide to cover a number of concerts and festivals across Canada and the United States. Many of these festivals are over several days so this record contains only a mention of Alan Doyle and The Beautiful Gypsies.

One of the things I love about festivals in Canada and the United States is there is usually a large coverage of events in particular, by professional online music websites who send their best photographers and reviewers to write some wonderful words and to take some gorgeous photographs of all the artists and musicians attending.

My favourites from the whole month were the collection of photographs taken by Sean Sisk who was invited by Alan Doyle to record one of his performances from the unique position of being backstage. These gorgeous photographs were circulated on social media by Sean and Alan. For those people interested in fabulous photographs of musicians and artists they should take a look at Sean’s official webpage.

Some concerts and festivals such as those in Vancouver were attended by a number of Canadian and American fans who took some wonderful photographs. They have been shared on fan sites such as the Great Big Sea Online Kitchen Party on Facebook and by Alan Doyle on his official Twitter and Instagram accounts. Alan Doyle and The Beautiful Gypsies also shared some of their experiences and travels on their official social media accounts.

The images are from the official social media accounts of those where the screen shots were taken. No copyright infringement intended. The Alan Doyle tweets are from his official Twitter account. No copyright infringement intended. 

So off we go…

Harvest Picnic Music Festival

Alan Doyle@alanthomasdoyle Grand times @HarvestPicnicCA Thanks so much. 28 August 2016.

Jann Arden, a Canadian singer and musician and good friend of Alan Doyle withdrew from the Harvest Festival due to illness. On social media Alan Doyle and The Beautiful Gypsies wished her a speedy recovery and much love from bus. Alan offered to sing some Jann Arden tunes for all the disappointed fans. True to his word sang one of Jann’s songs Good Mother. The song was bootlegged and circulated on social media. I have circulated a copy of the video on my Google + page.

The Aesthetic online music magazine published a great collection of photographs from day of the Harvest Picnic that included singer Jim Cuddy from Blue Rodeo, Alan Doyle and Joel Plaskett. There were 10 gorgeous photographs of Alan Doyle and The Beautiful Gypsies Todd Lumley and Kendel Carson. The photographs were by Orest Dorosh.

I have provided a link here for those interested as I am unable to circulated it on Google +

https://aestheticmagazinetoronto.com/2016/08/28/photos-harvest-picnic-2016-rheostatics-jim-cuddy-alan-doyle-joel-plaskett/

Fairport Music Festival…

Alan Doyle@alanthomasdoyle Load and Go. Me and The Beautiful Gypsies rolling to @FprtMusicFest 26August, 2016.

Alan Doyle@alanthomasdoyle Yep @FprtMusicFest was brilliant! Thanks so much. 27 August 2016.

PNE Playland Vancouver…

Alan Doyle@alanthomasdoyle Hello Vancouver. Let’s get it on. @PNE_Playland TONIGHT #kitchenparty 21 August, 2016.

Alan Doyle @alanthomasdoyle Thanks to All Hands. @PNE_Playland Grand night. 21 August, 2016.

Another highlight of the month was where Alan Doyle’s good friend Scott Grimes joined him and The Beautiful Gypsies on stage at the PNE Amphitheatre in Vancouver and sang a song they co-wrote together called Home. There were some fantastic photographs and mini videos taken by fans and circulated on the Great Big Sea Online Kitchen Party and Scott Grimes fan sites.

Canalside Buffalo

Alan Doyle @alanthomasdoyle Thanks to @LowestOfTheLow and All Hands @CanalsideBflo tonight. Ye were all Rosy and Grey. Cheers. August 11, 2016.

I have circulated a video of the Lowest Of The Low with Alan Doyle performing the song Rosy and Grey on my Google + page. The video was circulated by the band on social media.






Alan Doyle and The Beautiful Gypsies...Boots and Hearts Music Festival at the Burl's Creek Grounds in Oro-Medonte, Ontario. August 6, 2016.

Alan Doyle @alanthomasdoyle Me and The Beautiful Gypsies are getting powerful excited for our set on Saturday @BootsandHearts with @DeanBrody and @blkeshelton. Yeha. August 4, 2016

Alan Doyle @alanthomasdoyle What a day @BootsandHearts. Thanks so much. August 6, 2016

"In the crowd we could see flags representing Newfoundland and Labrador waving proudly and excitedly. The excitement of seeing one of their own up on the big stage at Boots & Hearts giving them a little extra pride – and deservedly so".

There was an amazing review titled "1, 2, 3 4: Alan Doyle & The Beautiful Gypsies at Boots and Hearts 2016" from an online site called 'The Reviews Are In" circulated on social media. The review contains some nice words and totally gorgeous photographs. I have provided a link to the review and photographs here. I have also circulated a copy on my Google + page.

http://www.thereviewsarein.com/2016/08/07/1-2-3-4-alan-doyle-the-beautiful-gypsies-at-boots-hearts-2016/







Alan Doyle and The Beautiful Gypsies at The George Street Festival, St. John's, Newfoundland. August 2, 2016.

Alan Doyle @alanthomasdoyle What a night @GeorgeStLive tonight @Reparteemusic @julytalk @arkellsmusic. Seriously. Holy Frig. August 1, 2016.

Alan Doyle @alanthomasdoyle Thanks to all hands @GeorgeStreetLive tonight. What a thrill. August 2, 2016.

There was a great collection of photographs of Alan Doyle and The Beautiful Gypsies from the night at the official George Street Facebook site. 

Alan Doyle and The Beautiful Gypsies at Mattawa Voyageur Days. July 22, 23 and 24, 2016.

The review "Mattawa Voyageur Days - Day 3 Review Alan Doyle and The Beautiful Gypsies 3 August, 2016" contains some wonderful black and white and colour photographs of Alan Doyle and The Beautiful Gyspies. I have provided a link to the review here for those interested.

http://canadianbeats.ca/2016/08/03/mattawa-voyageur-days-day-3-review/