Humanity, Music, Life and Living

For me, life has always been music and music, life. But it’s been as a listener, and observer of, when it comes to music, and those gifted to make it. I have an acute appreciation for it all the same. In this regard, I don’t recall when I was last as appreciative of, or moved by, a piece of music as that performed live at Massey Hall in Toronto, Canada last night, February 2, 2017. It occurred as the encore for the Canadian bands, Blue Rodeo and The Sadies.

  

Most are familiar with Blue Rodeo, but less The Sadies. Underrated and oft under the radar, it speaks to the musical heritage of The Sadies by mentioning the dad of two band members is Bruce Good. It’s their father, together with their uncles Larry and Brian Good, who comprise the veteran country/bluegrass band, The Good Brothers.

Gord Downie of The Tragically Hip is no stranger to either of the bands. That he took to the stage with them for the encore was not so extraordinary as was his being willing/able to participate. This despite the incurable brain cancer from which he now long-suffers. Watching the performance play out over six and a half minutes; for me, that’s when life and music became as one. 

The song was “Lost Together,” a Blue Rodeo tune first released 25 years ago, and performed hundreds, if not thousands, of times since.  But never under circumstances as last night. Thanks to a quick-thinking someone and YouTube, it was captured forevermore.

If you watch the video, you’ll see Gord Downie first greeted on stage by Blue Rodeo’s Jim Cuddy and next by Greg Keelor, who ultimately does duty on lead vocals. Their respective bands crossed paths many a time over three decades of music. To take nothing away from the moment, Cuddy never takes to the mic where Downie does his best to add his voice to vocals. A big smile was apparent on Cuddy’s face and the others on stage (as was the audience's obvious love and approval) when Downie manages to get some singing done. 

With the support of Travis Good on his left and Dallas Good on his right, to me it appears that Gord Downie’s life was meant for the moment. Oh, to have been in attendance for it!  I hope you watch/listen and savour it as did I. For sure it represents humanity, music, life and the living of it; all to be treasured for long as we can.