Matthew Good In Vancouver

Someone please, scrape me (us) from the ceiling. Last night we attended the Matt Good show and, let me just say that this rates right up there as one of the best concerts EVER. Now, first of all, I admit that I'm pretty biased when it comes to Matt and his music and he could've probably shown up in his monkey suit and picked his nose and I still would've cheered him on. I'm a pretty big fan that way (and so are you, I know it).

But, that being said, he did so much more - he did some old stuff, some new stuff, some old stuff done a new way and spent a good portion of the show telling stories and keeping us all chuckling. Some of the in-between-songs banter was the best part for me. Well, o.k., maybe not THE BEST part - but close, as Matt is extremely entertaining and a funny, funny man - quick witted and intelligent, but also very down to earth and approachable (despite the "asshole" label). I especially liked the story he told of the Victoria show a night or two before hand. Apparently he'd been bashing Gordon Campbell onstage, only to learn later on that the premier had been in attendance at the show. I love it. (Gordo was likely too hammered to notice.)

Although I'm a diehard Matt fan from way back, I enjoyed the newer stuff from Hospital Music the most...I've become very attached to that CD and my kids didn't elbow me TOO much when I sang out loud to every song (they had me sandwiched, damn it. No escape). Although I was a little disappointed that he didn't do "A Single Explosion", he did do a beautiful job on Odette, Metal Airplanes, Black Helicopters, 99% Of Us, She's In It For The $$, Born Losers and True Love Will Find You In The End. They were all done to perfection. Thank God I remembered to bring Kleenex to this show. And I used it too (no, not for my nose).

The show started with "Girl Wedged Under The Front Of A Firebird", which was totally cool and a great show opener. The only thing missing was "I'm Not Safer Than A Bank" ("BITCH") - those two just kind of naturally lead into one another and, for me, you can't have one without the other. But he never did play it. I should've boo'd and thrown tomatoes. Or, maybe not.

A big highlight of the night (for me) was when Rod (Bruno) joined Matt onstage to play "I'm A Window" with him - superb. My only gripe is that he didn't return for "Champions Of Nothing" and kick some ass with his guitar solo. Maybe that would've put me over the edge though - I have visions of my "air guitar" solo that would've accompanied him. I don't know that the people seated around me would've appreciated the scissor kicks in the head as I stood on my seat, rocking it out. But I did kind of half expect Rod to come back out and play it (knowing that he was there, ready to go) but, no go. He was probably already back on Facebook by that time. Despite it being for only one song, it was a pleasure (and an extra added bonus) to see "Uncle Merle" in action.

A few of the other songs that stuck out for me: The Fine Art Of Falling Apart, Suburbia, and - YES ALANA, he charmed the devils acoustically...it was AWESOME!!! (I totally thought of you when he played it.) He did many of his "old standards" too - Apparitions, Strange Days, etc. He totally screwed up the words to one of my old standbys - Symbolisitic White Walls (should've zigged when he zagged). Threw me right off my timing. I sang it correctly mind you.

Anyhow, enough of the BS - now for the really BIG news. I'd be posting all the awesome pictures we took last night, but I can't because we had to delete them all TO MAKE ROOM FOR THE SHOTS OF OUR BACKSTAGE PASS EXCURSION!!!! I know, I know...I'm completely pathetic and bordering on a groupie/stalker/looney tune. But I was thrilled right down to my socks that we were provided this opportunity...Linds even brought her guitar along and had Matt sign it (Mama worked her magic and emailed him and I'll be damned if he didn't hook us up for a meet and greet after the show). Only thing was that, after deleting everything on the memory card (including some great video I'd taken of the show), we were too starstruck to remember to take pictures while we were back there. I did grab a very quick video, but it seems we could've kept our awesome show pics/video after all. D'oh. (I'll post the video later)

Matt was very gracious to do this, as he was totally spent after performing for 2 1/2 hours and was getting ready to embark on his cross country journey. We appreciated it SO much and are still on cloud 9 (especially Linds - although she's just set off to Seattle with her Dad today for End Fest or something like that. She's a maniac...oh, to be 16 again).

Anyhow folks, this has been a very good month (sans tree plummets - I've just found a new cut on my pinkie). Maybe things are turning around for us? It sure seems like it.

Life is good. :)

(And don't fear my babies...even though I suck, there are some EXCELLENT pics from the show here and here)