Sunday, March 29, 2009

i ain't the type of woman who'd make your life a bed of ease, but if you just wanna go drinkin', honey, won't you invite me along please?

One of the most important things to know about me is that I have insane concert luck. Among the many acts I've seen live are Prince, George Clinton & the P-Funk Allstars, Neil Young, Arlo Guthrie, Arctic Monkeys, Bob Dylan (twice!), Crosby, Stills & Nash and many more. Anyway, Nicola and I were strolling around downtown, heading to Value Village for the usual harassment of their entire stock, when we passed by the Macpherson Theatre and saw a sign saying that Big Brother & the Holding Company were playing there that night. (I really hate to have to add this, because you should know, but if you were aware Big Brother & the Holding Company used to have a very famous frontwoman by the name of Janis Joplin)


Now, we had known that they were coming but for some reason that I can't remember had decided not to go. But we were passing right by the theatre, in high spirits, and decided on a whim to check if they still had tickets. They did and, in fact, because we were students (or, well, because I was a student) we were able to get them for only $32!
Unfortunately, original guitarist (and my favourite member, who has the honour of being one of the first people I posted a picture of on this blog ever, before I even knew how to post pictures, which is why the picture I posted ended up a mess) James Gurley would not be in attendance and neither (obviously) would Janis, three of the five incredible members were there: Sam Andrews (guitar), Peter Albin (bass) and Dave Getz (drums).
Needless to say, I was pretty stoked.

Big Brother - Janis to the left, and then clockwise from bottom: Sam Andrews, Dave Getz, Peter Albin and James Gurley

I was excited, mainly, to be in the same room as three original members of Big Brother & the Holding Company, as I wasn't really expecting them to deliver much musically. However, I was incredibly wrong. The show was phenomenal.
On a purely musical level, I would say definitely on par (if not better) than seeing them with Janis. They had a beautiful woman named Mary Bridget Davies singing lead and she was a true find. Her voice was incredible - definitely reminiscent of Janis, but not like she was trying to sound like Janis. She even looked a bit like Janis, at least from the stage.

Mary Bridget Davies

They ran through the Big Brother staples, and I was very excited that they did my favourite, "I Need a Man". They did a couple new songs which were great as well. The musicianship was on point and Mary Bridget Davies (I have to try very hard not to gush here, because she was really something) brought so much energy, emotion and pure talent to the performance that at some points I was in (very happy) tears.
Here's a clip of her with the band doing "Ball and Chain" (not from the show I was at, unfortunately):

Afterwards, they had a little table set up to sign autographs so I was actually able to meet the band and make a little chit-chat. Unfortunately, I had no cash to buy a concert shirt but I took off the shirt I was wearing (which took some clever maneuvering inside my oversized Cowichan sweater to not flash the crowd, or the band) and got them to sign that.
Peter Albin commented how much he liked my shirt and asked where I got it, and when Mary Bridget sitting next to him also asked where I got it, he answered for me ("Target" - ha). She then told me I was the luckiest girl in the world (which I knew), and all I could say was "I'm not the one singing with Big Brother & the Holding Company." She laughed and replied that she was a lucky girl too. Mary Bridget also had a selection of spectacular rings, and she showed Nicola and I where she had hurt her finger from grabbing the microphone too hard.
The moral of the story? Big Brother & the Holding Company rules, Mary Bridget Davies is a goddess and if you get the opportunity to check them out...do it! Now! What are you waiting for??

16 comments:

Jill said...

Fantastically cool t-shirt and the new lead singer channels Joplin perfectly! And I love the title of the post. Perfect fit! Keep living life so lustfully, Chica. That's what it's all about!

Allison said...

Okay please let me just start by telling you how unbelievably jealous I am of your luck. Seriously, Dylan twice?! Girl, if I didn't like you so much, I'd hate you for that alone :)

This was an awesome post - I really can't believe you only got the tickets for $32. Like, seriously?!

And I can see what you mean about the singer channeling Joplin, but not trying to BE her. I think too many times singers try to be something they're not, and it definitely seems like Mary Bridget Davies has the right idea (and a kick ass voice!).

hy said...

love love LOVE janis and bbhc....
xo
mary jane

Elizabeth Victoria Clark said...

sounds like an awesome show, you have certainly seen some wicked acts! if only we could still see janis live.
xx

Unknown said...

Love it all!! your blog is amazing!

Lexie said...

awwwwwwwww! i love a good concert tale! you'd be a great concert-goin' partner i think.

Diana said...

This is awesome. I didn't know they were still around, even after Janis.

twenty.seven.cents said...

I've never been all that interested in Janis Joplin so I can't comment on that front, but you seem to have such a cool demeanor when meeting people you admire. Usually I turn into a social mess [more so than usual] and I'm like.. ehh... hi *insert awkward sentence that makes everyone feel uncomfortable*
I haven't got any game. lol
And indeed incredible concert luck!

Keith said...

Hey Molly. Wow! That is awesome. You are definitely one lucky girl. I'm really thrilled for you. It sounds like you had a fantastic time. Cheers!

Twiggy Mod said...

Great post you make me giggle i also love your tee x

Sister Libby said...

I think you have a lucky bone or something...I don't know how things seem to just fall into place for you. And I've never been a super super Janis Joplin fan, which I feel bad about. Except "summertime". I really like that song. But I've been meaning to try more...anyway, wonderful informational post on probably great music. I also am intrigued as to why you like grocery shopping in fur. I like to shop when I'm dressed up, and like...sort of tipsy, so it's like "oooh, she's a party girl who is buying milk. right on..." I guess the same thing applies to your fur maybe?

Eddie said...

I remember waaaay back when you posted about going to see Arlo in our newbie blogging days.

When I hear Janis, I understand what it meant to be living in the 60's (she screwed Jim Morrison dammit). Amazing that you were able to see her former band mates, let alone the countless other artists on your list. Man, if I were in Canada, I would've gone to see Britney with you. We would've had a wonderful time.

Great post my darling...

Besitos

TheClocktowerForest said...

You are the luckiest girl in the world Molly. I really don't think there's anyone like you. I'll have to see if the tour is coming my way.

Unknown said...

Oh my god, you seriously do have the The most amazing concert luck. Supremely jealous! x

jess said...

You are really lucky.

Promoters Italian tour Janis Joplin's original band! said...

I saw you wrote this post in 2009, just wanted to share that 2009 is the year in which I met BBHC too!!!
I went to the Woodstock's 40th anniversary in Bethel woods, and i Did manage to meet the band! Just amazing! From that moment on I also managed to make them come in tour in Italy three times!!!! Together with a reeat friend of mine we organized their firs tour in 2010,than last year and this year too! They came here in Italy last week, and it was really really really wonderful!Great musicians and wonderful people!
If you want to read more check my blog ;)

http://bbhcitaliantour2011.wordpress.com