I’m prepping for a road trip to Detroit next week to see Blue Rodeo at The Magic Bag. It is a much needed breather that will do a lot to preserve my fragile grip on everyday sanity. I was hoping to make a two-day trip out of it, and catch the BR show in Chicago @ Martyrs as well, but with the bosses out of the office for a good portion of next week, it has been requested that I hold down the fort.

I found some news online today that helped to take my mind off the sting of the abbreviated road trip a bit.

I checked my bank balance.

Just kidding.

Seriously though, a brief surf of the Blue Rodeo fan forum revealed a link to an alleged live CD and DVD release slated for October 28th titled Live at Massey Hall.

A message board moderator weighed in with the following information:

I can’t tell you much more than what you know already just yet, but I can confirm that there is a live CD/DVD in the works for release this fall and that October 28 is the tentative release date. Sounds like it’s going to be a nifty little package. More details soon!

I’ve got carpal tunnel from the Journey post which was supposed to be a brief recap and setlist, and ended up becoming the Dead Sea Scrolls instead, so I’ll say this:

I’m thrilled.

I’ve certainly got more Blue Rodeo thoughts, and you can find a few of them right here.

And here are a couple more for you:

I had the opportunity to see three consecutive sold out nights of Blue Rodeo at Massey Hall in 1998. The opportunity to go to Toronto for the first time, and see one of my favorite bands, who usually play 500 cap. clubs or smaller in the States at a place the size of Massey Hall, was so cool. Massey Hall is next to Radio City Music Hall on my short list of the most beautiful and historic venues that I’ve had the opportunity to see shows at.

If the walls of Massey Hall could talk, you’d hear some stories. As it is, the walls are lined with many historical pictures that kept me visually occupied for quite a while before and after each show.

The band have one official live release to date, Just Like A Vacation, a double live CD that is still in heavy rotation on my Ipod 10 years after its release.

They are one of the most emotionally engaging group of live performers this side of Springsteen, which is probably why I have been to see them at least 20 times in the past 10 years. With the pending CD/DVD release, we’ll finally get a long overdue official live DVD – YES!

U.S. Blue Rodeo fans have four chances to catch the band live next week, including an NYC date with The Sadies. Go see this great band!

Here are a few of my favorite BR tracks – the lovestruck stuff like “5 Days in May,” and “Head over Heels”, the shell-shocked disbelief inside “Hasn’t Hit Me Yet,” and one of Greg Keelor’s finest, “Florida,” complete with a storytelling intro.

Two from Cuddy, and two from Keelor – an even split!

Blue Rodeo – Head Over Heels (live)

Blue Rodeo – Florida (live)

Blue Rodeo – 5 Days in May (live)

Blue Rodeo – Hasn’t Hit Me Yet (live)

Relevant Links:

Blue Rodeo official website

Purchase Just Like A Vacation (live) – MP3

Purchase Greatest Hits Vol. 1 from Amazon – CD