Bob Egan Rocks Stratford

Bob Egan played his own material and delighted the crowd in Stratford as part of the Intimate Autumn concert series. This amazing show also launched a new season of house parties, in which Bob brings his talents to our living rooms. It was an evening of great music, featuring a mix of songs from his first two CDs and from his new EP, Lonesome Destiny.

For a first-time mom of a brand-new baby, a night out is a rare treat, and I was eagerly looking forward to the evening. My friend and I made the one-hour drive to Stratford in time to hang out with some buddies from the bluerodeo.com discussion board before the show. The venue was the Masonic Lodge, a small hall that provided an intimate setting.

Bob's backup for the evening consisted of Reid Jamieson on guitar, John Borra on bass, and Mike Belitsky (of the Sadies) on drums. This was Mike's first time performing in Bob's band, and he did a terrific job. Bob played a variety of guitars, including one dating back to 1929 that looked as though it had experienced many past lives. During several numbers, he displayed his talents by switching instruments mid-song, an old showbiz trick he claimed to have learned from his mom.

As with all of Bob's shows, the stories and banter are as entertaining as the songs. He broke the ice by describing his recent mishap with a floor sander while renovating his house. The men in the audience must have been cringing as Bob joked that he might be singing a little higher than usual because of the incident!

Bob opened solo with Mystery of Love, followed by Sarah's Song from his new EP. Then the rest of the band joined him for the remainder of the evening, launching into Liloette, Comin' Down Hard, and Take Me Back Again. For My Maker And Me, Bob started with electric guitar and harmonica, later switching to the lap steel. Mr. Moonlight, When I'm Gone, a new song called My Home Town, and I Could Be Wrong ensued. Next came Cold Wind, a song he said he wrote near Stratford four years ago on his first tour with Blue Rodeo.

Bob and his band mates then paid tribute to the legendary Johnny Cash. Bob described how opening for Johnny Cash nine years ago made him decide to enter the music business and accept Wilco's offer to join their band. John Borra treated us to a terrific rendition of the Johnny Cash classic Ring of Fire. He then sang one of his own compositions, Angola, which he had once considered sending to Johnny Cash. Written in New Orleans, the song is about a boy who wants to go to prison someday because his father, brother, and uncles are there. Afterward, Reid Jamieson, alone on stage with his guitar, performed one of his songs, Last Day of the Year.

Throughout the show, Bob mused about moving out of Toronto, maybe to Stratford. He inquired about the local Latin music scene and treated us to a little Latin dancing! Then he pulled out a Cuban tres guitar and sang an absolutely beautiful song he wrote for it, My Perfect Stranger. The set ended with Forgiveness and Country Girl, and the band left the stage. Not surprisingly, the crowd quickly rose to its feet, clapping for Bob's return. Bob obliged with an encore consisting of Satellite (my personal favourite) and Everytime. During Satellite, Bob started with the electric guitar and then switched to the lap steel and harmonica " that old showbiz trick again.

With the cold weather approaching, Bob talked about winter in Canada, the season when we call our exes looking for someone to snuggle with - all the better if they have a big screen TV for watching hockey! He also spoke of going home for the holidays. Bob's stepfather may be a little jealous of Bob's '79-year-old mom in her new red sports car, getting the eye around town! Apparently Bob managed to talk them out of separating last holiday season. He also mentioned his little sister, a major in the US army, who had just had a baby and will be leaving shortly for Iraq. Bob will try using his powers of persuasion to convince her to stay near her family.

Reid and John had their CDs for sale after the show, along with Bob's CDs. The guys mingled with the crowd, and we enjoyed the chance to chat with them, especially Bob, who is always personable, friendly, and fun to talk to. If he does indeed decide to move to Stratford, that city would be lucky to have him. Let's just hope that for his sake, he leaves the floor sander back in Toronto!