Eatdrink #67 September/October 2017 "The Decade Issue"

52 | September/October 2017
Various Musical Notes
Top Ten Concerts
Upcoming Highlights on the Music Scene
eatdrink.ca |@eatdrinkmag
By GERRY BLACKWELL
It’s been ten years since publisher Chris
McDonell introduced a new kind of
magazine to celebrate the good life in
our corner of the world. To mark the
occasion, we’re spotlighting the ten must-see
concerts of this anniversary season. Without
further ado, in order by date:
Yes with Special Guest Todd Rundgren
1 (Budweiser Gardens, Thursday, September
14, 7:30 pm, $59.50-$127.25). Well, yes and no.
The 2017 incarnation includes none of the
prog-rock pioneers who formed Yes in 1968.
The band has played musical chairs for decades,
Yes with Todd Rundgren
cycling through 19 musicians in all. But no
matter. The current crew plays the same great
hard rock, still packs arenas, still gets respectful
notices. It’s music history on the hoof. Catch it
while you can.
Brian Wilson Presents Pet Sounds
2 (Centre in the Square, Kitchener,
Monday, September 18, 8 pm, $54.50-$168.50).
Brian Wilson
Your chance to see the legendarily weird
Brian Wilson, reclusive front man for 1960s
surf-rockers the Beachboys. This is a live
performance of Pet Sounds, the seminal 1966
album that briefly vaulted the band back to
Beatles stature. It includes iconic hits such
as Wouldn’t It Be Nice and God Only Knows.
Wilson is joined by original Beachboy Al
Jardine. This won’t come around again.
Valdy (Aeolian Hall, Saturday September
3 23, 7/8 pm, $25/$30). A troubadour in
the old tradition, Paul
Valdemar Horsdal has
been performing and
recording since the
early 1970s. He has 18
albums to his credit,
two Junos, and many
other distinctions.
Most importantly,
he’s a warm, engaging
performer with a
catalogue of terrific
tunes. The Aeolian is the
perfect venue for this
folksy minstrel. (Note:
He’s also at the Bayfield
Valdy
Town Hall, Thursday,
September 21, $35.)
4
Bruce Cockburn, with Terra
Lightfoot (London Music Hall, Friday,
September 29, 7 pm, $49.50). Cockburn, like
Valdy, has
been around
since the year
dot, and is one
of the most
respected
singersongwriters
in
the country.
A passionate
activist,
Bruce Cockburn