Sunday, September 21, 2008

Two Groups, Two Styles

Pick you choice, I've picked mine

Here are two Canadian groups whose main singers somewhat resemble each other.

Crash Test Dummies songs are wry and ironic performed in the deep base of the lead singer. Even their band name is "postmodern."

Great Big Sea is a group from Newfoundland which has many traditional Newfoundland songs in its repertoire.

Crash Test Dummies has been on a hiatus for several years, with their lead singer even going solo for a while.

Great Big Sea continues with uninterrupted, successful CDs of both traditional and new material.

I've always said that a sense of place serves Canadian singers well.

A Boat Like Gideon Brown by Great Big Sea



Oh Gideon lived across the bay
He's gettin' older now
His boat is big and strong and bold
She has a stalward bow
But my father's boat was second hand
One someone used before
And after every fishing trip
My father always swore
That someday he would save enough
To go to St. John's town
And buy himself a big new boat
A boat like Gideon Brown
A boat like Gideon Brown

Confederation came around
And the days of old age pension
He said 'Son I'm saving every cent'
And this you must not mention
You save the baby bonus too
And things just might turn around
And we'll have enough to buy a boat
A boat like Gideon Brown

[Chorus:]
'Cause she can punch ahead in any gale
And ride the fishing ground
I often thought how proud I'd be
In a boat like Gideon Brown
In a boat like Gideon Brown

Many years did pass away
And Dad began to fade
He didn't talk of boats too much
He said 'Son I'm afraid'
If things don't soon improve
Then I'll be underground
Before we ever get to see ourselves
In a boat like Gideon Brown

[Chorus]

I sat and held his hand one day
And he said 'Son, that policy'
The insurance is all in your name
You're the beneficiary
And when I'm gone they'll pay you off
Then go to St. John's town
And buy yourself a big new boat
A boat like Gideon Brown

[Chorus (2x)]