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Monday,
December 5, 2005
Canyon
drops by Cohn for eggnog
By Sandy MacDonald
The Daily News
Country Christmas: Country music star George Canyon of Pictou
County performs yesterday at the Rebecca Cohn auditorium. Canada’s
top country artist brought his folksy Christmas show to Halifax
for two soldout shows. (Photo: Ryan Taplin)
REVIEW
– Imagine getting a rap on your door, and finding country
singer George Canyon and his band dropping by for an eggnog
and few tunes.
That’s just about what happened yesterday, when Canada’s
top country artist brought his folksy Christmas show to the
Rebecca Cohn for two sold out shows. Canyon conceived the unique
concert to give some new life to the tired Christmas cliche.
The
two-hour show is set in the “home” of John Meir,
who once co-owned a recording studio with Canyon in New Glasgow.
Meir acts as narrator, enjoying a quiet night at home sharing
some Christmas stories with his family when Canyon and his five-piece
band drop by, and a musical party breaks out.
The
device allows Canyon to perform seasonal songs plus his radio
hits, all wrapped in his down-to-earth values about Christmas
and family. It’s a refreshing and uplifting change from
a predictable fake Christmas tree and dime-store stockings stapled
to a cardboard fireplace.
From
the opening strains of his Good Day to Ride, Canyon looked relaxed
and at home, even in the midst of this gruelling 34-date tour.
Even with the sometimes-awkward theatrics and the bumpy pacing,
Canyon’s natural charm, strong songwriting and huge baritone
voice carried the show.
Rudolph
the Red Nosed Reindeer was sweetened up with Monte Good’s
sparkling pedal steel, and Canyon’s big brawny voice put
a country kick in the old chestnut. He also premiered a solid
new country rocker, Happy Man, written by Gordie Sampson and
Jamie Robinson.
Partway
through the show, singer Dave Gunning dropped by for a visit,
bringing Meir a comical elf hat and Canyon a pair of long red
underwear.
“Try
’em on for us, George,” shouted one encouraging
female fan down front.
Gunning
kicked into a funny new Christmas tune he’s written for
this tour, about an ailing father who’s slow to come down
Christmas morning: “Santa didn’t eat the milk and
cookies, but he drank all daddy’s beer.” The crowed
loved it.
The
gifted young songwriter and longtime friend of Canyon closed
his short set with Saltwater Hearts, wowing the crowd with his
polished songwriting.
Canyon
and the band returned to the stage, and romped through his new
song, Somebody Write Love, possibly the title track from his
new album expected in the spring. A spirited set of covers followed,
including a pair of Johnny Cash tunes, the inevitable Blue Christmas
and a gorgeous duet on Silent Night.
It
was a great return for country star Canyon to his home province.
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