From: owner-trajectory-digest@smoe.org (trajectory-digest) To: trajectory-digest@smoe.org Subject: trajectory-digest V6 #59 Reply-To: trajectory@smoe.org Sender: owner-trajectory-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-trajectory-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk trajectory-digest Monday, December 2 2002 Volume 06 : Number 059 Today's Subjects: ----------------- Ottawa show review (better late than never) ["a sleeping lily ..." ] London encounters [Neal Copperman ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sun, 01 Dec 2002 16:13:20 -0500 From: "a sleeping lily ..." Subject: Ottawa show review (better late than never) Well, my first semester of university is almost over, and I thought I'd celebrate it by finally writing a review of Veda's show here in Ottawa. She played on Nov. 3 at the GCTC, a venue tucked away in what I would assume is Ottawa's Italian district (or something?). I was surprised to see how many people were in line -- I wondered if they were here to see Veda, or the supporting artist, Pamela Morgan. I was able to secure a front row center seat, which was less than a foot from the stage. Now -that- made me happy. I talked to two women sitting behind me who said that they didn't know either of the artists; they had just come because attending the Acoustic Waves concert series was something they did every year. The opening act was okay, but I wouldn't go out and buy her CDs or anything. Her songs were nice, but... the chord structures and progressions seemed a bit derivative. However, her accent (she's from Newfoundland or Nova Scotia, I think) was lovely. (I know, I notice weird things.) Although I didn't enjoy her music, I knew that all artists should be given respect, so I quietly listened. After Pamela finished, there was a break for about half an hour. The lights dimmed, and I smiled because I remembered feeling these same emotions six months ago -- the excitement that comes with knowing I would be seeing Veda live. Veda stepped on stage, looking lovely in the same outfit she wore for the anniversary show, as well as this -very- red lipstick (don't ask me why I remember these details). "Bedlam" was the first song, a song from _Silver_ that I have been playing for weeks because it just seems to encapsulate what I need right now -- to live in the moment. And Veda was doing this, too, playing without hesitation. It was a great start to a great show. "Nostalgia Song" was next, a song that made me smile -- "everything could still go wrong" -- amusing and true. When the now-familiar piano beginning to "INSTRUCTIONS" made its way into my auditory canal, I grinned because I love this song, in any and all of its incarnations. The interlude in the middle was amazing. Veda was just pounding on that keyboard. "Clumbsy" was next. It was sweetly sad; it made me ache. "The Williamsburg Bridge" was whimsical yet fierce. Veda introduced "birdsong" as "I Feel I Must Include Two Love Songs". She asked the audience to make bird calls, and they, most of them unknowing of her work, were a bit reluctant to do so. I chuckled inwardly, but did not contribute to the aural insanity. I find this piece haunting live; there is something so precious about Veda alone, her voice echoing into an audience who is completely silent, aside from bird noises. I closed my eyes and saw green, blue flashes. Her voice was fragile, warm and welcoming, and I wondered what she saw in those birds. Someday I want to see her play solo. "birdsong" ran right into "Killzone!" which was a perfectly surreal moment. "Killzone!" was intense as always. "Lying", a Meryn Cadell cover, was one I quite enjoyed. "Working" was beautiful -- they actually had the toy piano used on the album out for this one. "This one's called 'Noah's Ark'," she said, and a few people cheered. I smiled at the connection I had with complete strangers. This song is one of my favorites, and it is always so amazing live, delicate, yet powerful. Next came a few songs from a musical entitled "The Death of the Finance Minister's Mother". I had already been introduced to some of these songs through a CBC webcast. The first was about Paul Martin's wanting to become the Minister of Finance -- it was absolutely hilarious, and just makes me appreciate the wide range of Veda's work. "I will, I will, I will become the Minister of Finance!!!" After this came another song from the same play, "A Little Pleasure". Next came "Planck's Length" -- "a song about theoretical math," she said, and some people chuckled. I adore her piano work on this one. One of her band members, Barry Mirochnik, did the vocals on this song, and it worked out very well. Veda provided some lovely background vocals. The new arrangement of "With No Caring" was splendid. "Seasoned" was next; apparently it's one of Veda's as well; I was delighted to hear it. "Bellyfish" came next, fierce and compelling as always -- the jam session in the middle was great. After this she played "Comrades" and "Who Will Protect Them", songs from _Silver_ which I have not gotten very familiar with yet. "So this is our last song..." and with those words I felt sadness and yet elation grow, for I knew that I would be able to see her play again -- and I knew that she has a reputation for long shows, so there was no way that this was going to be the last song. It was the delicate and moving "Tuktoyaktuk Hymn", which made me remember being at the show a few months prior, and the joy of being able to sing with her. Now, I was able to sit back and listen, revelling in this tribute to a land so cold, but with such barren beauty. She came back onstage and said that she was taking on a "request challenge"; someone thought that she and the band wouldn't play "The River", which is a NoMeansNo cover. But they did, and it was intense. After that came the final song of the night, "Little Wind", which was a perfect ending -- "let the little wind bring you joy". After the show I stood outside and talked to a woman who used to live in BC. She said that she had seen Veda play about 15 (!!!!) years ago, and that Veda had been shy and very hesitant. "Now, there's no hesitation. It's just wonderful." I agreed (and agree) wholeheartedly. When (if) I see her play again I think I'm going to request a few songs from _Songs About People and Buildings_. (P.S. -- Anyone up for trading?) Regards, Emily _________________________________________________________________ Add photos to your e-mail with MSN 8. Get 2 months FREE*. http://join.msn.com/?page=features/featuredemail ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 01 Dec 2002 15:38:10 -0800 From: "ayesha coosemans" Subject: lots to be thankful for... thank you emily for your ottawa show review. it inspired me to go put on my newly-acquired 'silver'. but before i could get it out of the jacket, i started reading something i'd written on the cover the night coming home from toronto's show. it had been an unusually rough day but the night's concert with all of you equally-giddy and exuberant comrades was bliss. for me, i can't help but associate veda and her sound with home (bc) and it was like i'd been transported back to the mountains (and the folkfest!!!) for a brief few hours... November 1st, woke up from a retail nightmare regarding love of art and the respect of money to get you there (and the fear of leaving it all behind). Then, the new day begins. The sense of loss, anguish over the distance between me and BC. But fallen tears are dry and the salt blown away by a clear-blue mind's breeze. So, I go to Toronto to see BC and she tells me the past is always present, the distant always near. Even when (and especially) when we change. Just wanted to say a delayed 'thank you', veda and the band, for another great show and, to all of you who frequent her concerts: it is sooooo good to share that with you. peace, ayesha. _________________________________________________________________ Tired of spam? Get advanced junk mail protection with MSN 8. http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 1 Dec 2002 22:49:13 -0700 From: Neal Copperman Subject: London encounters Earlier this week I got back from a nice trip to London. I saw a ton of theater, an intriguing German avant garde opera and a smattering of concerts. I also got to meet a few people I've traded music with from this list and ecto. Sean Kelly came downtown to meet me for dinner and a visit to the 12 Bar Club. This seemed an appropriate since the 12 Bar Club was where Sean was first exposed to Veda's music. They were hosting a grabbag of music that they called Baggage Reclaim. A funny thing happened when we got to the club. Sean asked when Veda would be coming back, and the guy said she has a standing invitation. He also said it was funny that we asked, as someone else asked about Veda earlier. He pointed us to a woman sitting at a table drinking a beer, and she turned out to be a trajectory lurker visiting from NYC! Talk about coincidences! So the three of us had a nice evening hanging out, chatting about all things Veda and enjoying an odd assortment of music. It was great to meet you both. Hope you had a good rest of your trip Hilary. Sean, I can dump the minidiscs you gave me onto a computer at the radio station. It'll take me time (more time then if I could do it at home), but if I can't find one to borrow for the evening, I have that as a backup. Thanks to you and Koln (sorry if I don't remember how to spell that, and I don't know how to do umlauts anyway). Hilary asked us what we thought the song "Who Will Protect Them?" on Silver was about. We couldn't remember it well enough to have any thoughts, and now that I've listened to it, I still can't really make much sense of it. Any thoughts? neal ------------------------------ End of trajectory-digest V6 #59 *******************************