With most bands, you go to the concert for the songs, and once you've heard them, you you go home thinking, "I sure love ### song." With Barenaked Ladies, though, you go in not really knowing WHAT to expect, as every concert in every venue is different, and they did not disappoint us last night.
We were all wondering what the chemistry -as well as the sound- would be like with the obvious lack of one no-longer Lady, but there was no cause for concern, as they were just as crisp as ever, playing the songs as though it were the first time; mistakes were made and toys didn't work, but the Ladies joked about them and made them part of their schtick in typical BNL fashion. In fact, I'd have to say that they seemed to be having even MORE fun than they had in the last concert or two of theirs that I'd attended! All of the members spoke their part and made jokes along with the ever-vocal Ed, and it was nice to see Kevin come out of his shell with impromptu punchlines, epiphanies, and even ditties that he sang for the crowd!
The greatest thing about BNL over the years has been the sense that they are really enjoying doing what they do on the stage in front of their screaming fans night after night, and this concert was no exception. Not only did they play some of our old favourites as well as some of the new songs that are destined to become new favourites (I just love the new album, and it felt great to hear each of the songs I'd been listening to nearly non-stop since the album was released), but they made the effort to please the audience with an off-the-cuff (if not somewhat unpolished) rendition of one of their kids' songs from 'Snacktime!' simply because a little girl had held up a sign asking for it. That's what makes the Ladies great, and that's why each time I see them, they seem greater each time.
