In honor of Blue Rodeo’s U.S. jaunt happening next week, I’ve decided to celebrate with Blue Rodeo Week. Here’s where we’ve been so far:
Day One: T is for The Days in Between
Day Two: What am I doing here?
That brings us to Day Three of Blue Rodeo week. The band’s early output in the late 80s and early 90s was a combined effort, combining the musical strengths of the individual songwriting traits of BR principal members Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor. As the band continued making albums in the 90s, Cuddy and Keelor would still collaborate together on songwriting, but also began to put more of an individual stamp on some of their contributions. Beyond the lead vocal, songs became more clearly identifiable as a “Cuddy song” or “Keelor song,” while retaining the classic elements and harmonies that make up a great Blue Rodeo song.
The fan forum on Blue Rodeo’s official site features separate areas for Cuddy and Keelor fans to discuss their favorite songs. I’ve always thought that I was more of a Cuddy guy, but when I made a Blue Rodeo mix a couple of years ago, I discovered that I love just as many of the Keelor Blue Rodeo tracks. Because of their differences in songwriting, the music of Blue Rodeo really connects with me, no matter what kind of day I am having.
Blue Rodeo is your all-purpose band for any mood whether you are feeling great, or feeling crummy, they’ve got a song for you!
How do you pick just five songs from Greg Keelor? As Keelor worked through his own personal ups and downs while maintaining a career with Blue Rodeo, he put it all into song brilliantly. The creepy weird stuff became even more creepy and weird, and when you least expect it, Keelor knocks you off of your feet with a good love song. I thought Cuddy was in charge of all of those?
Here are five from Keelor that you need to hear:
And it’s day after day
I keep hanging around can you tell me why
Night after night I know I should leave
But there’s something in those eyes
That keeps me hanging on I’m hypnotised
It breaks my heart and I don’t know why
Tell me why tell me why
“Rose Coloured Glasses” from Outskirts (1987) (purchase)
Is it you
I wonder
And still it makes me laugh
Is it you
That I’m looking for
Don’t turn away so fast
And while you were talking
Wide-eyed I fell asleep
Hoping tomorrow would be
As sweet
“Is It You” from Lost Together (1992) (purchase)
Well I’ve been out walking
Talking to moon and tree
And the tall spring grass
Like waves on a dark green sea
So much of what we are
We will always be
And I don’t mind getting lost in your dream
“Moon & Tree” from Tremolo (1997) (purchase)
download (early version performed live for the CBC in 1993, from the In Stereovision DVD) (purchase)
Ain’t no mystery what I need
Is understanding
And your sweet sympathy
A steel string guitar and a little weed
And someone to keep me company
Someone to keep me company
“Stage Door” from Palace of Gold (2002) (purchase)
When the band began touring for Palace of Gold, this one quickly evolved into a song that Jim and Greg would call BR bass player Bazil Donovan out front to sing. Over the years, Bazil began to sing the occasional cover song, a moment of each BR show that quickly became a favorite with fans. Bazil recently released a solo album called Matinee featuring some of the favorite covers, originals, and finally a studio version of “Stage Door.” The solo CD features guest appearances from Justin Rutledge, David Baxter, Bob Packwood, Jim Cuddy, Greg Keelor, Travis Good and Lori Yates. Pick it up at the shows, or order it here.
Here’s a live version of Bazil singing “Stage Door” recorded live in Stratford in 2006. And as it happens, the lead in track is a cover of the standard “Somebody Touched Me,” sung by Greg. Sure, I am breaking the rules since it’s supposed to be “five from Keelor,” so I guess we can call this one a Keelor bonus track!
I dont know much about love
How it cures and frees the soul
Makes you whole and all that other stuff
But I was kissed by lady luck
And I know that Im stuck on you
Yes I know that Im stuck on you
“Stuck on You” from Are You Ready (2005) (purchase)
download
Extra credit – Greg has three solo albums to date, and Aphrodite Rose from 2006 is a must have. Read more about that album right here.
We’re barely scratching the surface here – check out some more Keelor stuff in previous posts, stuff like “Pirahna Pool” from the Empire show, “The Seeker” from The Days in Between, and that live version of “Florida” that I posted here last week.
And you might be noticing the glaring absence of any tracks from Five Days in July….oh, don’t you worry, we’ll get to that one.
P.S.
Here’s a cool video of Keelor performing during Blue Rodeo’s busking performance at Yonge and Dundas streets in Toronto on Sep. 24th, 2007. Performing “Blue House” – from the latest Blue Rodeo album Small Miracles.
Blue Rodeo – Blue House (live in Toronto)
Relevant Links:
Greg Keelor’s official website
Blue Rodeo’s official site