Ottawa and Montréal May 2009

Ottawa May 1st

The Ottawa concert was fantastic! I got to hear a live version of 'A Soapbox Opera' so the 3300 mile trip was worth it.  Roger's voice was perfect and I couldn't have asked for a better setlist.

Roger knows how to put a show together and he is so generous towards Aaron's many, many talents. Aaron played the piano towards the end of Child of Vision and it was out of this world. Even Roger commented after it that the keys were still hot when he went on the piano! Another surprise that Roger introduced was the beginning of 'Along Came Mary'. Well...along came Bethany playing the bagpipes.

   

 
 
It certainly gave a very Celtic flavour to the song. I was wondering if the Canadians would get into the concert - singing, dancing, clapping… well the two Canadian ladies we sat with didn't disappoint me. Although the crowd was enthusiastic, there wasn't a lot of movement where we were sitting. I explained to my new friends that I hadn't travelled all that way to sit during 'Breakfast in America'. They soon got up and danced and were great company. 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Montréal May 5th

Three days later we headed up to Montréal for the first of two concerts at the Place Des Artes. It's very strange being in a concert venue that you've never been in before but it being so familiar. It was just as we knew it from the DVD. Even the lady from the DVD who holds up the big sign saying Montréal loves Roger Hodgson was in the same seat - brilliant..! Again, it was another wonderful concert. 'Hide in Your Shell' makes the hairs stand up on the back of my neck. However I did have to sit down for Breakfast in America (nobody was up and dancing!) The crowd certainly knew how to show their appreciation at the end of every song and Roger expressed his love for Montréal and its people.

 

 
Montréal May 8th

The house lights went down and the well recognised introduction to 'Take the long way home' rings loud and clear. This was our third concert in eight days and each song evoked such great memories.  The new song 'Teach me to love again' is a beautiful ballad but it's frustrating knowing I probably won't get to hear it again for some time. 'Rosie had everything planned' reminds me of my teenage years listening to Supertramp - on vinyl. All too soon, the concert is over.     

 

There is something very soulful and charismatic about Roger and I think it probably goes a long way to explaining where those wonderful songs come from deep within him. I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to hear Roger sing live quite a few times now. We don't get enough concerts here in the UK but I can understand why people travel far and wide to hear Roger perform - I know we will again….and again.

  

 

 

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