Along with beavers, snow and hockey, Great Big Sea is a symbol of Canadiana. They are quintessential Canadiana Folk. While the first mention of Great Big Sea may not conjure up the typical granola-folk associations; they are definitively folk in the true meaning of the term.
My dad expressed this thought while he watched Great Big Sea for the first time at Ottawa Folk Fest this Saturday. He said (well, screamed more like it) over the energetic performance that Great Big Sea, with its distinct maritime sound, took Canada back to its roots, representing the Celtic contribution of what makes Canada what it is today. And, while most people were probably not thinking about this historical and sociological significance while dancing to “Ordinary Day,” it is certainly something to be proud of.
This was Great Big Sea’s first performance at the Ottawa Folk Festival presented by TELUS. However, they have performed in Ottawa’s Bluesfest in the past years. So, how do the performances compare? Last night’s performance was a more down-home, back to the roots performance compared to the more rock-based and pop-driven shows at Bluesfest, I overheard a few people in the crowd say. Having been to both their Bluesfest and Ottawa Folk Festival shows, I can truthfully say that both of them have been pure energy and rug-cutting, good, clean fun!
Their performance on Saturday was a definite crowd-pleaser. They started off a cappella with “Donkey Riding “, which got the audience revved up as they led into “Captain Kidd.” They had the devoted and huge crowd singing to "General Taylor," and played my favourite (and native Newfoundlander Tom Power’s of the CBC), “Sea of No Cares.” Throughout the whole night, Great Big Sea kept up their high-energy talent and you could tell that they loved every minute of it, as did everyone in the audience.
Whether you call them Newfoundlander, pop, rock, blues or folk, Great Big Sea has found a new home at Ottawa Folk Festival!
- Danielle
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