Alan Doyle has been busy since Great Big Sea ended, with three solo albums and two books out, he is not sitting idle to be sure. He describes himself as “the luckiest guy I’ve ever even heard of” for the many events that led to being able to spend his life doing what he loves best, singing songs and playing concerts, and that shows very much in his stage show.
Alan and his band The Beautiful Gypsies brought his Come Out With Me tour to the Grand Theatre in Kingston on February 22, and kept the place rockin’. I caught Alan with Great Big Sea on their final tour and was instantly in love with that kind of music and the genuine and fun style in which it was presented. Alan is one of those performers who you feel like you’ve known all your life by the second song. His funny stories and personal touch help the audience to settle in for a great night’s entertainment.
The biggest difference between the times I have seen Alan perform is that this time, it was in a small theatre and there is nothing like a smaller, a more intimate setting for concerts any day. The show was more like a genuine Newfoundland kitchen party with the audience rising to their feet on several occasions to sing along and dance to the music.
During the show, you heard a few new ones, some from the other albums and also he didn’t forget some of the Great Big Sea favorites like “When I’m Up”. There were a couple of standouts for me, one called “Laying Down To Perish” about a group of fishermen on Fogo Island who went onto the ice and died at sea, but carved those words into a wooden tool before perishing. The other was a song called “Somewhere In A Song”, where Alan looked back and gave thanks to his roots, both very moving songs.
Buying tickets for an Alan Doyle show is never a bad thing, you will be entertained no doubt. You will laugh, you might cry and you will probably be singing along with Alan in the process!
Visit Alan’s website for official merchandise, books and of course music.
