Jimmy
Rankin, Carolyn Dawn Johnson & Keith Urban
Friday
September 19th, 2003
When the concert announcement was made last winter
about the trio of singer-songwriter’s passing through Canada tickets
flew fast and furious. When
the announcement was made shortly before the scheduled start of the tour
that it would have to be postponed due to the vocal restrictions place on
Keith Urban by his doctors there was some disappointment, but everyone
settled in to wait it out. Rescheduled
for fall, those ticket holders from before prepared to head out for a trio
well worth waiting for.
Copps Coliseum in Hamilton was the setting for the country
scene of late, with the much-anticipated Shania tour kicking off less than
a week later from the same place. Some
additional excitement turned out to be the arrival of a hurricane,
thankfully downgraded to a tropical storm by the time of the show.
We headed in early, not sure of what weather would be waiting for
us as we ambled along the highways to Hamilton.
No problems, just lots of overcast skies and the odd shower brought
us to the show site and at 7:30 the lights were lowered, bringing loud
cheers from the stragglers still looking for their seats.
With very little fanfare Jimmy Rankin mounted the
steps, introducing himself and leading his cohorts into “Midnight
Angel”. The two fella’ s
accompanying him were a perfect compliment and the pared down setting was
a nice change. I was very
impressed with how easy and relaxed he appeared to be, in excellent voice
too. Next song out was a new one, “Morning Bound Train” from
his upcoming release, “Hand Made”.
If the songs on the next album are all like this one then trust me,
you’ll really like it. The
title track from the new album was next; a co-write with Tim Thorney and
it’s described by Jimmy as a look back at a simpler time in life.
His next choice was what he called his ‘late night driving
song’ and his last one would be “Followed Her Around”, a bona fide
crowd pleaser although he did acknowledge that ‘this one’s been out a
while’. Fans didn’t seem to mind and gave him a very hearty
‘thank you’ following his rather short performance.
With a smile and wave he headed off stage and the lights came up
again.
It was interesting to see how diverse the crowd was
turning out to be, with couples of all ages mingled in with lots of young,
pretty ‘cowgirls’ with hats perched on their heads and young(er) men
too, though whether they were out for Carolyn Dawn or just to watch the
girls was another question. The
lights were dimmed again, catching some off guard and sending them
scurrying to their seats. The
unmistakable strains of “Georgia” drifted from the dark stage and the
crowd erupts, and as the lights were raised a familiar blonde form bursts
into the light. Signs, flags
and hats were held aloft as we were treated to a huge smile, one that I
could see from where I was sitting.
This young lady always sounds amazing; with a pure,
strong delivery that gives you goose bumps.
When she reached the line, “I’ll drive all the way…” she
improvised and changed it to, “…up to Canada”, which brought the
loud and heartfelt cheers from the crowd, for one of their own.
“Just Another Girl” was the next one and I have to admit that
it’s just as unique as her other songs, with the first notes of this one
sending the crowd into another frenzy.
The break following this song allowed her to talk a little bit, so
she told us she’d never had the chance to play in Hamilton so she was
very happy to finally be here. With
her new album being recorded she welcomed the chance to do some of the new
songs, like “Dress Rehearsal”, written last fall and describing how
time can be a valuable thing, make the most of it.
When it comes to writing songs, this lady knows what she’s doing.
Watch for another CD full of winners.
“One Day Closer To You” was dedicated to all of the
single people in the audience, one thing she no longer is since marrying
her businessman husband Matt last March.
During the next break an admirer in the audience tried ‘picking
her up’ while she was on stage. She
teased him a little bit and ended by saying how he had some nerve, trying
it out with his wife sitting next to him.
Carolyn thanked everyone for holding on to their tickets to the
rescheduled date and said how much she admired Jimmy Rankin, for his
talent and songwriting abilities. “Plus”,
she added, “…You know who’s up next, right?”
As the crowd erupted again, she said, “Guys, hold on to your
women, because they’re gonna be up here, and they’re gonna be
cooked!!”
“Love Is A Masterpiece” was next, her tribute to
her aunt, uncle and cousin Daniel. A
new offering called “God Doesn’t Make Mistakes” is about the period
of self-doubt and wondering if she really had what it takes when her
career started taking off. She
was sure everyone could relate to a time like that from their own lives.
“For all of you folks who have ever lost anybody…” lead into
“Room With A View”. This
was all the more impacting because the lights were brought down, just some
simple spots lighting her up while she sang.
What a voice, absolutely breathtaking!
Band was front and centre for “You Are”, which I
must confess is my favourite CDJ song and earned her some long-winded
cheers for some of the longest held notes this side of Martina McBride. “Little Bit Of This, Little Bit Of That” is her
‘philosophy of life’ song, and was next before introducing her band. Brian from West Virginia, Don from Nashville, Ethan (the only
‘single one’ in the band) and Jed on drums.
For “Squeezin’ The Love Outta You” you were treated to a more
rockin’ country song than you would expect from her, but very good none
the less.
“Complicated” was another fan favourite – one of
mine too – and it was over all too soon…I must have been enjoying it
too much. Another new
one, “Simple Life”, was out next and I don’t think I’ve ever not
liked one of her songs. For
her last song she dished out “I Don’t Want You To Go”, which got
everyone on their feet…though whether the song was directed at us or
not, if we could have we’d have probably sung it to her.
At one point she did urge the crowd to take over, and a
predominantly female crowd did…plus they sounded pretty good.
That earned a ‘thumbs up’ from her, which was reciprocated with
a standing ovation for an excellent performer.
Everyone loved her, and if you didn’t go in as a C.D.J. fan you
definitely left as one.
The next break was almost a shock, after being so drawn
in to what was happening on stage. I
know that’s the sign of a great show; that shock of real life that
brings you back to earth, like it or not.
Made me wonder what would be in store for the next set.
When the lights died down again the rustling of dozens
of people trying to get back to their seats was the only sound you
heard…at first. Then, a
‘medley’ of sorts started up, with snippets of songs leading into
“Who Wouldn’t Want To Be Me”, and the crowd goes wild.
The slight, lanky form on stage not only looked right at home, but
to have that much talent and make it look that effortless is an indication
that Keith Urban will be pleasing the crowds for years to come.
A song from his previous album, “Where The Blacktop Ends” (and
one of my favourites) was the next song out and really stands out as a
crowd inciter. It was
impossible not to move in time to the music for that song.
“Raining On Sunday” took things down a notch, but fed the
daydreams of the masses of young girls in the audience no doubt.
I’ve got to hand it to him, few players handle the guitar with
that much intensity and he really puts his whole body into it.
Reminds me of watching Heidi Newfield of Trick Pony playing the
harmonica. If you’ve ever
seen that you’ll know just what I mean.
“How’s it going Hamilton?” was his first
question, answered with a predictable roar.
“It’s great to be here…” And on it went, into a short
tribute to the late Johnny Cash, who had passed away just a week earlier.
“I Walk The Line” was handled very admirably by this group of
young musicians, and Johnny would have approved.
“But For The Grace Of God” led him to invite the crowd to sing
parts of it for him, since they were anyway – and doing okay, at that.
As he sat on a stool near the front of the stage, in
preparation for his next song he began to tell us a story.
In Pigeon Forge, TN about three years ago, he was staying at a
motel adjacent to a church. As
he was heading to the bus one morning he heard some familiar music coming
from the church, where a wedding was being held.
It was “I Want To Be Your Everything”, which the couple had
chosen as their wedding song. So,
he crashed the wedding and sang the song live…and jokingly added that
he’d charged them $2,000.00 to do so.
“I’m kidding,” he quickly added, when he started to see jaws
dropping open. “It was only
$1500.00…” and gave everyone a wide smile when the giggles started.
With just himself, and an accordion joining in later, this was an
incredible song and really let you see how good his voice is sounding.
Worth the wait, definitely!
“You’ll Think Of Me” was the next song and I love
this one too…it’s different, it’s very catchy and stays with you
after you’ve heard it. “Jeans
On” was a blast from the past, but given the Keith Urban treatment
it’s right in style again. As
everyone was up dancing for this one I spied C.D. standing side stage,
watching as the party continued. It
went up a notch with “You Look Good In My Shirt”, which is a dancing
song if ever I heard one. This was also the ‘contest song’, with Keith needing to
hear from all sides before he finished off the song.
A real surprise next, with some extremely familiar strains coming
through (at least for me, they were familiar)…yes, it WAS…”Free
Falling”, a Tom Petty & The Heartbreaker’s classic.
I KNEW there was a good reason I liked Keith! (Truth be told, before my heart belonged to country, it
belonged to TP & THB…still does, a little.)
And there in the wings, another familiar face…Jimmy
Rankin, come out to watch the fun too.
Just then Keith urged those of us a little farther from the stage
to come on down to the front and added, “Let’s have a party!”
And the race was on. Girls
flooded down the stairs, into the aisles, right past the flabbergasted
security guards and up to the front of the stage, where it did indeed
become a party. During this
rush, he announced he wanted to hear the single girls singing “Free
Falling”. Then it was the
married, (or taken) girls turn. He
urged the later to sing up, to try and beat the “more-fun-than-you
single girls”. Next it was the guys. Single
or spoken for…he said that sometimes they have trouble remembering which
they are, which brought a huge laugh from the ladies.
The showstopper of the night had to be “Somebody Like
You” and everyone who wasn’t already on their feet soon was, you
couldn’t help it. Officially
his ‘last song’, the encore was more and then some.
“You’re Not Alone Tonight” is another beautiful song and
revved everyone up for what would come next.
Keith brought Jimmy Rankin back up to do more tunes, followed by
Carolyn Dawn Johnson, making it a true ‘Songwriter’s Circle’ ending
to an amazing night. And what
makes it even better? Two
Canadians and a member of the Commonwealth; setting the world on fire.
How could it be any better than that?!
We would like to thank Next Presentations for their
assistance with making this coverage possible, as well as the wonderful
staff of Copps Coliseum. It’s
always a pleasure to see you all and we look forward to the next time.
To Jimmy, Carolyn and Keith – you are all inspirations to those
of us with dreams. Thanks for
an unforgettable night and we look forward to catching up with you again
soon. And to friends we
bumped into during the crazy ride – Linda from 820 CHAM, the beautiful
Jolene and singer Brad Karel – thanks for the smiles, the hugs, and for
sharing the fun. We love you
guys.
Written by Kim Jamieson
Photos by Wayne Tozzi
© 2003 Opry North/Whitepaw Productions
All rights reserved.
