Tracks on Tracks: The Fourth Day
Sioux Lookout was the site of the beginning of day four, the final full day on the train. Chris
Ho performed a "Sunrise" Platform show, which I missed due to sleep.
The day seemed a bit slower as people were, I'm sure,
nursing the cinematic aftereffects of alcohol, and the acoustic shows of the
day started with Emperor of the North, the combination of Zachary
Gray and Adrian Glynn. They traded off songs, playing a couple of Glynn's
songs and a couple new Zolas songs before ending on a Leonard Cohen cover, "Show Me The Place" off his new album.
The Belle Game was next up, in the very last car, the
Park Car. Their set wasn't quite as acoustic as a couple days before, when they
blew a fuse. The played some old and new stuff, brought up Sheryl and Krista
from Sidney York to back them up on oboe and bassoon for "Sleep to Grow" and
they ended off with their brand new song, "Wasted Light"
Maurice and Top Less Gay Love Tekno Party were both supposed
to play acoustic sets as well, but the timing didn't work out, and everyone
packed the Green Couch car for one last all night party. Emperor of the North (aka Murder on the Canadian)
started it off with a similar set to earlier in the day. "Oh My World" was a great song, with the two of them percussing by hitting their guitars and clapping, and the dynamic and banter between the two was amazing, and I'm a little sad that it looks like their collaborating is going to be a one-off
thing for the train.
Adaline was next and, aside from some technical
problems throughout the set, rocked a dance party in the car. She seduced
everyone with her sexy electro-pop sounds and sultry voice, and enlisting in the help of Mike and Pete from The Matinee (two of the hardest working musicians on the train) for a couple songs too.
Then after some time for setting up, The Belle Game
played their first full on electric show. Joined again Krista and Sheryl from
Sidney York to fill out a few of their songs, their grand sound filled the car and kept the dance party going. They played a few new songs, and ended off with the huge "Sleep to Grow"
And finally, the last "official" show on the train was Bear Mountain -- the side project from Ian Bevis from TLGLTP-- wrapped up the night
for some more dancing, but people were already starting to be strewn out the
cars. There was an acoustic jam session with members of Shred Kelly and Portage
and Main in one direction, and in the other The Matinee managed to get Grant Lawrence
up for a rendition of The Smugglers' "Rosie" (which I regrettably missed!)
It sounds cheesy and cliché to say, but this train ride really was The Trip Of A Lifetime. There were a few hitches that they hit along the way; staff and other passengers not fully aware of what was going on being a big one, and there was the occasional miscommunication, and scheduling issues. But those are all first year glitches that hardly spoiled the experience, and will be smoothed out now that they know what the whole trip entails. And I sincerely hope that it is something that will happen on a yearly basis. I know I'm already saving up for next year.