Calgary and Edmonton reporting in

[Stephen Fairbairn]

Well, I took my nearly 14 year old son (next month) on 'the road  
trip'. Out of school Thursday and Friday to travel to Calgary for his  
first live concert.

The Who. And Inner 'I' , a Canadian power trio from Winnipeg.

I recommend the purchase of their CD when it comes out - these guys  
have heart. And chops.

And the Who....

Well, the crowd rose to its feet at the first hint of the band on  
stage (unlike the bleachers in Edmonton who took until the encore to  
stand up). The show was great. Lots of energy - I felt more from the  
stage than in 2002. At least as much as 2000. Roger's voice seemed  
more together than the last few tours, and Pete seemed to be really  
enjoying himself - although he did toss his red Strat off stage near  
the end - but it survived to be played again in Edmonton. The show  
was wonderful. The new material got the audience response that most  
new stuff seems to get.

I was hoping for more of an edge to it, but it is new music, and  
they're not the same, I'm not the same....

My son loved every second.

And the Tommy encore was soooooo good. And in the My Generation  
collection, Pete's singing of Its a Boy had so much edge - that in  
itself is reason to buy the CD's.

Absolutely a 9/10.

Edmonton's show was better. The sound quality was clearer. The guitar  
electrical problems added a bit of a worry - like when Pete first got  
a shock - finger/hand...  I was watching in the binoculars and I said  
- he's hurt (thinking he'd slashed a finger/hand...) then he went to  
the mic and got zapped (looked like through the mouth) and staggered  
backward (not to the underground) into his amp stack, knocking them  
around.....and Zak stopped - in the middle (ok, near the end) of WGFA  
as did everyone else, .... and Pete, as Bill and the rest of the  
backstagers ran out to hold him up waved Zak and the band on.....

And Pete returned so quickly - new guitar, a half step further from  
the mic.....and the band played on.

The encore was again superb.

I must say, the ending - just Roger and Pete doing the acoustic song  
(Two for Tea??) was / is a memory I'll cherish ...

Pino's bass was more pronounced in Edmonton - his MG solo was  
clearer, more confident, and the crowd roared their approval.

For me, still not enough bass.

Edmonton was a 10/10. Better sound.

And they played 'The Seeker' - the song to be played at my memorial.  
And I told my son that when he hears it then, to think back to now -  
and to remember that his dad was an ok guy.

Both shows featured Zak's kick drum drive - and what a show that is.  
He is such a great drummer - I could watch him work all night.
In Edmonton, he seemed to have a significant other with him - a fine  
looking woman who was taking pic's off stage right...

$40 CDN for a tee shirt??? sorry, first time ever I've passed one up.  
Cool leather jackets though. Passed those up as well.

Will I buy the CD's yes. The DVD? for Edmonton. Yes.

Do  I wish I was in Vancouver tonight? Yes.

A matter of economics yes. I couldn't afford not to take my son. Was  
I glad I didn't buy the pre-purchase deal?? Yes.

Do i wish I was front centre? Yes.

Nothing like the sound of an old classic firing up on stage - the  
crowd goes wild. The lights go wild. The synthesizer tracks fire up -  
everyone knows what is going to happen, and yet, it is still fresh  
and new.

Once again we are lucky to have a chance to see them once more, or  
for the first time. And hope continues that it won't be the last time.

To those about to see them - enjoy a great show.

Keith and John, you are remembered in our hearts, and our souls.


Steve in Canada.