echo shotgun (show review)

Shannon Lyon
July 5, early show
3rd floor Van Gogh's Ear
10 Wyndam St N

To kick off the well postered, month long Shannon Lyon residency, there was good music playing up-upstairs at Van Gogh's, until it was shut off at 10:10 for the 9:00 show, advertized as 9:00 SHARP on the website. For this town, an early show, and condolences are owed to those who missed out.

Bob Egan (formerly of Wilco and Blue Rodeo), played less than 10 songs for the first set, but what great songs they were! With a surprisingly wide variety of instrumentation -- long, atmospheric musical composites accompany his accomplished and versatile vocals, in unique and intriguing song constructions. He played a mix of material from both of his LPs and from the six song EP.

From the steel guitar and the drum machine, to experimental pedal weirdness, a slide, an acoustic and a "National Steel" guitar, Egan held the full audience's rapt attention. What great music. He said you can buy his recordings at www.bobegan.com, and I say you should, he is so clearly talented.

Lyon played a full set as well, with good, strong, straight up acoustic guitar, harmonica and singing. He is sincere and seems comfortable performing, and put on a good show. From songs he said he wrote in the backyard, or on his bicycle to new tunes from his forthcoming record (that he invited Egan to join him on stage for) he delighted both new and existing, old and of-age-younger fans, all of whom seemed glad they'd taken their seats so early! Is it true Steam Whistle is a local beer? An hour's drive would be well worth such strong musicianship in such intimate quarters. But it was over by midnight - don't miss the full show next week! Wednesdays in July have never sounded better!
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July 12 Van Goghs - 'Acoustic-Series' - Doors8pm w /Lucas Stag
July 19 Van Goghs - 'Acoustic-Series' - Doors8pm w/ Chris Giesbrecht & OX . (MAIN FLOOR)
July 26 Van Goghs - 'Acoustic-Series' - Doors8pm w/ Andrew Cash