Happy anniversary to Alan Doyle and his ‘So Let’s Go’ album released on the 20 January, 2017, just over two years ago.
I have been thinking a lot about this time lately. My CD has special significance to me. I bought my copy at Fred’s record store in St. John’s, Newfoundland when I was there in 2015 which included an Alan Doyle and The Beautiful Gypsies concert. As a consequence the physical CD and its music bring me heaps of listening pleasure, and also take me back to a time, place and experiences that I hold close.
From the official webpage of alandoyle.ca (no copyright infringement intended).
Alan describes some of the philosophy behind the ‘So Let’s Go’ album to an interview in the Prince Albert Daily Herald …
“…Time is short,” he explains. “You have to make the most of it in whatever way works for you, and this has become like a lifestyle for me. This is the only life we know that we have. I don’t want to be the guy who has the most money, and I don’t need to be the guy who’s the most famous. I don’t want to be the guy who has the biggest house, but I’d love to be the guy that lived the most….”
In an interview with Prince Edward Island newspaper The Guardian Alan expands on the philosophy
“…Doyle says if there’s an over-arching theme on this record, it’s one of optimism…The attitude seems to be, in a nutshell, embrace life and all it has to offer you…”
I have included a copy of the press release from Universal Music issued in late 2014 which provide fans with some insight into the making of the album. No copyright infringement intended.
References
‘Alan Doyle eager to showcase new album, down home talents’ by Tara Bradbury in The Prince Albert Daily Herald at www.paherald.sk.ca published 9 January, 2015 (no copyright infringement intended).
‘Alan Doyle on the move with ‘So Let’s Go’ by Doug Gallant in The Guardian date unknown. (no copyright infringement intended).
Universal Music Press Release (no copyright infringement intended)
References
‘Alan Doyle eager to showcase new album, down home talents’ by Tara Bradbury in The Prince Albert Daily Herald at www.paherald.sk.ca published 9 January, 2015 (no copyright infringement intended).
‘Alan Doyle on the move with ‘So Let’s Go’ by Doug Gallant in The Guardian date unknown. (no copyright infringement intended).
Universal Music Press Release (no copyright infringement intended)
1 NOV 2014
ALAN DOYLE TO RELEASE SO LET’S GO JANUARY 20
TITLE-TRACK FIRST SINGLE OUT NOW
2015 CANADIAN TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED
11 NOVEMBER 2014 (Toronto, ON) – Alan Doyle, actor, producer, newly-minted best-selling author, and best-known as lead singer for Newfoundland’s beloved Great Big Sea these past 20+ years, is set to release his second solo album, So Let’s Go, January 20 via Universal Music Canada (UMC), the country’s leading music company. Title-track lead single So Let’s Go is a rousing rallying cry that’s only further proof of Doyle’s ability to draw the listener under his banner. Equally adept at drawing a crowd, Doyle will be embarking on North American tour dates upon album release, with Canadian details below.
Made in collaboration with Thomas ‘Tawgs’ Salter (Lights, Walk Off The Earth), Jerrod Bettis (Adele, Serena Ryder), Gordie Sampson (Keith Urban, Willie Nelson), and Joe Zook (OneRepublic, Katy Perry), So Let’s Go follows Doyle’s first solo outing, Boy On Bridge, released in 2012. “If there’s an over-arching theme on this record, it’s one of optimism…not that this is in contrast to my previous doom-laden songs!” laughs Doyle, who says this album is freer than Boy On Bridge in the respect of being open to all influences. “On my last solo record I wanted to explore musical backyards of friends of mine in different parts of the musical world. It was as much a physical as a musical journey away from home. On So Let’s Go, folks will hear much more stuff from my backyard and all the traditional and Celtic influences I grew up with, married with the most contemporary collaborators out there.” A non-traditional marriage for Doyle was writing his first book simultaneously with the album, the best-selling memoir Where I Belong, released last month.
The album’s eponymous song is consistent with Alan Doyle’s ethos: we’re lucky to be here so let’s make the most of it. This spirit also infuses the heartfelt Take Us Home while Sins of a Saturday Night celebrates a come-what-may approach. The album also gets reflective in moments, such as the plaintive Laying Down To Perish, inspired by a visit to Fogo Island. As a whole, So Let’s Go remains consistent with Alan Doyle’s enthusiasm for the wider world combined with a love for the comfort of home.
Alan Doyle hails from Petty Harbour, NL, and formed Great Big Sea in 1993 with Sean McCann, Bob Hallett, and Darrell Power, in which they fused traditional Newfoundland music with their own pop sensibilities. Their nine albums, double-disc hits retrospective, and two DVD releases have been declared Gold or Platinum and have sold a combined 1.2 million copies in Canada. So Let’s Go continues to cement Alan Doyle’s reputation as one of our country’s most treasured musicians and storytellers. Doyle and his ace six-piece band will be touring in early 2015, playing songs from Doyle’s solo records along with Great Big Sea favourites and some unpredictable gems from far-flung places that are sure to thrill. “I always want people to have the greatest night of their life when the house lights go down.”
Alan Doyle 2015 Canadian tour dates:
Jan 21 Kitchener, ON – Centre In The Square Jan 22 Lindsay, ON – Academy Theatre for Performing Arts Jan 23 Ottawa, ON – Centrepointe Theatre Jan 24 Guelph, ON – River Run Centre Jan 25 North Bay, ON – North Bay Capitol Centre Jan 28 St. Catharines, ON – Brock Centre for the Arts Jan 29 Burlington, ON – The Burlington Performing Arts Centre Jan 30 Kingston, ON – The Grand Theatre Jan 31 Richmond Hill, ON – Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts Feb 01 Brampton, ON – The Rose Theatre Brampton Feb 03 Hamilton, ON – The Studio at Hamilton Place Feb 04 London, ON – London Music Hall Feb 05 Montreal, QC – Club Soda Feb 06 Toronto, ON – The Danforth Music Hall Feb 07 St. John’s, NL – Holy Heart Theatre Mar 06 Vancouver, BC – Vogue Theatre Mar 08 Calgary, AB – Jack Singer Concert Hall Mar 09 Edmonton, AB – Myer Horowitz Theatre Mar 11 Saskatoon, SK – Broadway Theatre Mar 12 Winnipeg, MB – West End Cultural Centre May 03 Fredericton, NB – The Playhouse May 05 Moncton, NB – Capitol Theatre May 06 Sydney, NS – Membertou Trade & Convention Centre May 07 Pictou, NS – deCoste Entertainment Centre May 08 Halifax, NS – Rebecca Cohn Auditorium
ALAN DOYLE TO RELEASE SO LET’S GO JANUARY 20
TITLE-TRACK FIRST SINGLE OUT NOW
2015 CANADIAN TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED
11 NOVEMBER 2014 (Toronto, ON) – Alan Doyle, actor, producer, newly-minted best-selling author, and best-known as lead singer for Newfoundland’s beloved Great Big Sea these past 20+ years, is set to release his second solo album, So Let’s Go, January 20 via Universal Music Canada (UMC), the country’s leading music company. Title-track lead single So Let’s Go is a rousing rallying cry that’s only further proof of Doyle’s ability to draw the listener under his banner. Equally adept at drawing a crowd, Doyle will be embarking on North American tour dates upon album release, with Canadian details below.
Made in collaboration with Thomas ‘Tawgs’ Salter (Lights, Walk Off The Earth), Jerrod Bettis (Adele, Serena Ryder), Gordie Sampson (Keith Urban, Willie Nelson), and Joe Zook (OneRepublic, Katy Perry), So Let’s Go follows Doyle’s first solo outing, Boy On Bridge, released in 2012. “If there’s an over-arching theme on this record, it’s one of optimism…not that this is in contrast to my previous doom-laden songs!” laughs Doyle, who says this album is freer than Boy On Bridge in the respect of being open to all influences. “On my last solo record I wanted to explore musical backyards of friends of mine in different parts of the musical world. It was as much a physical as a musical journey away from home. On So Let’s Go, folks will hear much more stuff from my backyard and all the traditional and Celtic influences I grew up with, married with the most contemporary collaborators out there.” A non-traditional marriage for Doyle was writing his first book simultaneously with the album, the best-selling memoir Where I Belong, released last month.
The album’s eponymous song is consistent with Alan Doyle’s ethos: we’re lucky to be here so let’s make the most of it. This spirit also infuses the heartfelt Take Us Home while Sins of a Saturday Night celebrates a come-what-may approach. The album also gets reflective in moments, such as the plaintive Laying Down To Perish, inspired by a visit to Fogo Island. As a whole, So Let’s Go remains consistent with Alan Doyle’s enthusiasm for the wider world combined with a love for the comfort of home.
Alan Doyle hails from Petty Harbour, NL, and formed Great Big Sea in 1993 with Sean McCann, Bob Hallett, and Darrell Power, in which they fused traditional Newfoundland music with their own pop sensibilities. Their nine albums, double-disc hits retrospective, and two DVD releases have been declared Gold or Platinum and have sold a combined 1.2 million copies in Canada. So Let’s Go continues to cement Alan Doyle’s reputation as one of our country’s most treasured musicians and storytellers. Doyle and his ace six-piece band will be touring in early 2015, playing songs from Doyle’s solo records along with Great Big Sea favourites and some unpredictable gems from far-flung places that are sure to thrill. “I always want people to have the greatest night of their life when the house lights go down.”
Alan Doyle 2015 Canadian tour dates:
Jan 21 Kitchener, ON – Centre In The Square Jan 22 Lindsay, ON – Academy Theatre for Performing Arts Jan 23 Ottawa, ON – Centrepointe Theatre Jan 24 Guelph, ON – River Run Centre Jan 25 North Bay, ON – North Bay Capitol Centre Jan 28 St. Catharines, ON – Brock Centre for the Arts Jan 29 Burlington, ON – The Burlington Performing Arts Centre Jan 30 Kingston, ON – The Grand Theatre Jan 31 Richmond Hill, ON – Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts Feb 01 Brampton, ON – The Rose Theatre Brampton Feb 03 Hamilton, ON – The Studio at Hamilton Place Feb 04 London, ON – London Music Hall Feb 05 Montreal, QC – Club Soda Feb 06 Toronto, ON – The Danforth Music Hall Feb 07 St. John’s, NL – Holy Heart Theatre Mar 06 Vancouver, BC – Vogue Theatre Mar 08 Calgary, AB – Jack Singer Concert Hall Mar 09 Edmonton, AB – Myer Horowitz Theatre Mar 11 Saskatoon, SK – Broadway Theatre Mar 12 Winnipeg, MB – West End Cultural Centre May 03 Fredericton, NB – The Playhouse May 05 Moncton, NB – Capitol Theatre May 06 Sydney, NS – Membertou Trade & Convention Centre May 07 Pictou, NS – deCoste Entertainment Centre May 08 Halifax, NS – Rebecca Cohn Auditorium
