Blue Rodeo at SXSW 2008 photo by Clint Gilders - staff photographer

by clint gilders - clubkingsnake staff

There were boundless reasons to get excited about SXSW this year, and one them had to be the appearance of Canada's country crossover troubadours. The appearance at Smokin' Music was billed as Blue Rodeo and Friends, and truth be told I would have preferred just Blue Rodeo. They were doing their good Canadian duty and giving an opportunity to some very talented musicians whom otherwise may not get to perform in front of a such a large audience at SXSW. But to bring out Oh Sussana after she just finished her set in front of the same crowd seems a bad choice. The audience that steadily thinned out during her stint as a "friend" seemed to agree. Melissa McClelland and Luke Doucet did great jobs and the fellas from the Sadies thoroughly rocked the joint.

Everytime Blue Rodeo lost the friends and did what they do best with songs like "Lost Together", "Hasn't Hit Me Yet", and "Til I Am Myself Again" the crowd would swell, begin moving and begin singing.

The sound in the venue was fantastic and the performances spot on. Cuddy with his leading man good looks and dreamy voice in perfect counterpoint to the rough edges and Dylanesque vocals of Greg Keelor.

I left the hour and twenty minute set happy, but not satisfied. Like a big meal where there wasn't quite enough of the one dish I really craved. Please sir may I have some more Blue Rodeo?

Blue Rodeo at SXSW 2008 photo by Clint Gilders - staff photographer

Blue Rodeo at SXSW 2008 photo by Clint Gilders - staff photographer