As it often happens, this one came up on my Ipod this morning as I was getting ready for work.
For those that are unfamiliar, Canada’s Blue Rodeo are led by the core of singer/songwriters Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor.
Generally, I’m more of a Cuddy guy, but I definitely have a healthy amount of love for the Keelor stuff too. If it says Blue Rodeo on the label, I’m a fan, no matter who is singing the lead vocal on a particular track.
From a songwriting standpoint, they’ve both racked up quite a few fan favorites that are still staples in the live set, and in Keelor’s case, “Hasn’t Hit Me Yet,” from Five Days in July eventually evolved into a full-on mutual singalong, as Keelor now will go out into the crowd (or at least near the edge of the stage) to sing the first part of the song off-mic with the help of the Blue Rodeo fans in attendance.
“Glad to Be Alive” comes off of the 2002 release Palace of Gold, which wasn’t immediately a favorite of mine the first time that I heard it, but has become an album that I’ve really developed a love for in the years since it was released.
This one sounds great on a Friday morning…..
Blue Rodeo are back in the U.S. next month for another rare series of U.S. dates that include shows in Chicago and Detroit, and a great double bill for NYC Blue Rodeo fans – The band is booked at the Highline Ballroom with The Sadies opening!
Relevant Links:
Blue Rodeo official site
Jim Cuddy official site
Greg Keelor official site
Purchase Blue Rodeo’s Palace of Gold from Amazon – CD or MP3
Purchase the latest Blue Rodeo album Small Miracles – CD or MP3
Purchase the Blue Rodeo Stereovision DVD (live/rare performances) – DVD
Purchase Five Days in July – CD or MP3
Purchase Greatest Hits Vol. 1 – CD or MP3
Purchase Greg Keelor’s Aphrodite Rose – CD