23 September - Ottawa, Canada
The Chateau Fairmont is one of those grand turn of the century hotels that were
built at railheads across the British Empire. Its opening in 1912 was delayed for
several months after its owner, the general manager of the Grand Trunk Pacific
Railway of Canada, went down with the Titanic. From the outside, it has the
appearance of a massive turreted stronghold, carved from granite in a style that
might be called Canadian gothic. Inside, its long corridors and antique elevators
remind us of the hotel in ‘The Shining’.
The fact that there is a huge wedding going on in the main ballroom adds to the
Kubrickian vibe. Young men in dinner jackets haunt the corridors, looking as if
they have just left the opening celebrations in 1912, the effect only slightly
spoiled by the fact that they are speaking into their mobile phones. The sound
of a big dance band wafts up the stair-well, adding to the spookiness.
I’m here in Ottawa to play the third show of a trans-continental tour that will
take me from the Maritimes to the Pacific over the space of 10 days. The
opening show in Halifax, Nova Scotia, was like all first nights; your humble
servant was a little rusty and so took time in the sound-check to remind himself
of what Billy Bragg does.
That may seem odd but several things need to be taken into consideration:
when was I last here? What did I play then? Do have the right balance between
new stuff and oldies? Also, the last time I was out on tour it was with Ian
McLagan, so the set was built around Mac’s keyboard and Hammond. Now I
needed to construct a new solo set.
It usually takes me about three songs to get settled and Upfield, NPWA and A
Lover Sings did the trick. The Rolling Stones were about to hit town – a very big
deal for the locals – so taking the piss out of Sir Mick & Co helped to break the
ice. I also threw in my cover of ‘She Smiled Sweetly’ for good measure.
The next day in Montreal, I take the chance to dust of my schoolboy French,
which only serves to confuse the locals and remind me that I once scored a
shameful 2% in a French mock exam. The venue, Club Soda, has moved since
the 80s to a new location, but the audience is just as appreciative – to the point
of rowdiness.
How is it that the big drunk guy always seems to end up in the front row? This
particular bear of a man upset those around him so much that he clambered
onstage to escape their wrath, hoping to sit at my feet for the rest of the gig. A
kindly security person put him back in his seat, where he promptly fell asleep to
every ones relief.
I debuted a new song, Farm Boy, and, this being Montreal, had to play Ontario,
Quebec and Me. The audience were so vocal in their appreciation that I felt lifted
beyond the jet lag that dogs the first few shows. They deserved something
special so I pulled out the stops and played the whole of Life’s A Riot with Spy vs
Spy as the final encore – so spontaneous a decision that, having played five
tracks and holding New England for last, I couldn’t remember the missing song
and had to ask the punters which one it was that I hadn’t played. Richard.
I’ve played the whole of Life’s A Riot as an encore a few times before to top off a
really good show – Wolverhampton the night West Ham got into the Cup Final,
Liverpool the only stand-up show of the UK tour where the audience sang along
with every song – but it really shreds my voice. The crew told me off for doing it
so early in the tour, but it was that kind of night.
And so to Ottawa….
15 Responses to “23 September - Ottawa, Canada”
By almendelsohn on Sep 25, 2006
Billy if you read this just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed the Ottawa show. Couldn’t make it to Montreal (my home town) show because of a Jewish Holiday, but made it to Ottawa and you sound as good as ever, and are as funny as ever. My sister, brother-in-law and I loved every minute of it.
I don’t think I will ever hear the words “goat”, “urine” or “goat urine” without thinking of you now. I am not sure if that’s a good thing…
OIntario, Quebec and Me was a great touch, and I look forward to you releasing that Johnny Lcash tune ASAP. It rocked! Everything was amazing.
Thanks again for a great evening of entertainment.
By afredus on Sep 25, 2006
Bill - Thanks for the great show in Montreal this past Friday. I must admit that I haven’t seen you since catching your first two or three shows at the old Club Soda
I’ve been listening to your music continuously since then. I expected the show to end after “Milkman” and I freaked out when you played the whole first album - wow, or possibly OMFG. Thanks again - and come back soon.
By jonathanlyon on Sep 25, 2006
Hi Billy
I trust you’re well. Just a short note to say that I’m really looking forward to your imminent gig at the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver having just seen you on CBC.
I’m from Manchester but moved to Vancouver in March this year, I’m a photographer, writer and web designer. I realise it’s short notice but I wondered if I could ask if it would be possible for a press pass for Friday’s gig?
I was kindly invited to take photos of The Charlatans gig at the Commordore in May of this year by Tim Burgess and they seemed pretty happy with them. You can see them here at:-
http://www.jonathanlyon.com/charlatans
I’ve been an avid fan of yours since “Between The Wars” and “World Turned Upside Down” and it would be great if I could have the privilege of photographing you at the Commodore.
If it’s not possible, no worries and have a great time in Canada, especially Vancouver.
Cheers
Jonathan
By Twopints on Sep 26, 2006
It wasn’t me. I’ve never been to Canada.
You have to play “Life’s a riot” when you tour the UK (when you, or “they” tell us where you’re playing) - better stock up on the old “Throatcoat”.
Sounds like you’re having a blast,
See you in December.
By filx on Sep 26, 2006
Hey Billy!
That Montreal show was just great.. It’s in my top 5 shows ever! I couldn’t believe my ears you were actually playing the whole life’s riot with spy vs. spy album!!! Also, thanks for playing Ontario, Québec and Me which is one of my favorites… by the way, I’m the one who screamed RICHARD!!!, just above you, when you asked us which song was missing of the first album! haha, that was a funny moment! Thanks for the interview for ICI journal, it was great talking to you… I hope you will enjoy your tour here… and hope that you will come back soon!!!
Félix
By lizzy borden on Sep 26, 2006
Yo Billy,
Your show in Ottawa was absolutely fantastic. For 10 years, I’ve been listening to your voice in my bedroom, and I was completely blown away to hear it in person. You were animated, energetic, and extremely genuine, everything I always expected (the goat piss was a little bit of a surprise). You played a number of songs I’d never heard, and they were amazing. When do you plan on releasing this new stuff? Particularily Farm Boy, that song was so good, I actually had a pain in my chest when you were playing it. You know a song is good when it makes you feel like you’re going to break out into tears, and maybe vomit at the same time. Or have a mild stroke. O.k., enough, it was a good fuckin’ song, when can I have it?
By almendelsohn on Sep 26, 2006
BTW Bill the hotel in Ottawa is actually the Chateau Laurier, Fairmont is the chain that owns it (officially it’s the Fairmont Chateau Laurier).
I’ll forgive, you must still have been jetlagged
By blueboy on Sep 27, 2006
I wanted to thank you Bill for another great performance. I really liked the set list you played at the Ottawa show. I was a bit dissapointed that I missed talking to you after. Thanks again.
blue
By chicmate on Sep 28, 2006
Alright Billy,
Magic show in Winnipeg….
but never mind tweedledee and tweedledum, when are you going to
run for PM?
cheers,
Chic the Jock (Scot)
By brian on Oct 4, 2006
thanks very much for stopping in ottawa. it was a fantastic night. if you hadn’t mentioned it, i’m sure that no one noticed the lighting troubles. personally, you could have turned the lights on yourself and that would have been ok by me. i hope that you enjoyed your trip across the canadian landscape. maybe, and with your help, we can change our political landscape back to something that is more canadian to the eyes of the world. fingers crossed that your words inspired others to write our politicians on parliament hill.
happy 19th kate.
r.i.p. woody
By chris_campbell on Oct 5, 2006
I’m so glad that I was able to see you in Halifax for the first show. It was nice to share the nervous energy and see you overcome the jet lag. While the Rolling Stones were a big deal (as well as the Atlantic Film Festival) for a lot of people, when I wear the t-shirt from the show people talk about that and the show and the Stones fade into the background. Thanks for coming to play and it was entertaining and inspiring and I look forward to seeing you again.
By sinjawns on Oct 10, 2006
Bill-
Your friends in St. John’s missed you so much on this trip. We hear through the grapevine that the lack of a direct flight from London to St. John’s was the deal-breaker. Curses on Halifax: first they take our Air Canada flight, then they take you. They get all the good stuff.
Can’t you stop off on the way home? “Holy Heart of Mary Margaret O’Hara” auditorium awaits.
By winston smith on Aug 22, 2007
how are you able to keep fighting, to keep hope that anything can change?
signed,
distraught
By oldsimon on Sep 6, 2007
Billy
Talking of East Germany, my son Jake is living in Berlin and has taken to supporting FC Union (in the equivalent of div 3 north and known as the Ironworkers). At the end of last night’s game they played your version of Power in a Union.
Incidentally the first gig Jake ever went to was to see you at the Ipswich Regent in about 1988 (but for some time denied this on the grounds that it wasn’t as cool as all that).
Cheers
Simon Sweetman