Fred Eaglesmith

At the Black Sheep Inn, Wakefield, Québec, May 11&12, 2000

Fred Eaglesmith’s performance at the Black Sheep Inn May 11 and 12 gave him a chance to showcase three new band members. Roger Marin on pedal steel and electric guitars was playing with the band for the first time. Darcy Yates on electric bass and Jude Waldman on drums have played with the band previously. All three are hoping and expecting to become permanent members, though because of other commitments will not join the band on all upcoming gigs.

See pictures of Wakefield and the Blacksheep Inn

Fred Eaglesmith told his usual jokes and stories with the skill of a comedic actor.

Marin’s pedal steel in particular added a richer sound, and Waldman’s drumming complemented well the bizarre percussion of Washboard Hank. Waldman, by the way, has his own CD titled "Songwriter." Yates was good on bass, though Ralph Schipper’s vocals are missed. In all, I like the new sound a lot. Definitely more electric sounding than before, though without the distorted guitar effects of "50 Odd Dollars," which – dare I say it – don’t do a lot for me.

This was my sixth time to see Fred live (Friday night), and was one of the better shows. It was my second time seeing him at the Black Sheep Inn, having seen him there last fall. I liked this show better. Fred seemed in better spirits, telling his usual jokes with the skill of a comedic actor.

Washboard Hank flails his arms like a madman.

I didn’t keep a set list, but the show included a good range of material from the three most recent CDs. Less older stuff, with a few notable exceptions: "Sunflowers" (From the Paradise Motel), and a wonderful encore of "Indiana Road."

Several more recent songs were done in interesting ways: "Alternator" was enriched with amusing story telling. An extended instrumental version of "49 Tons" allowed Fred to introduce the band at the close, before he was brought back for two encores. The second encore was "Water In the Fuel," and the story leading up to it gets a different twist each time I see Fred.

Jenny Whiteley, who played a set before Fred, also came on stage to provide vocal backing for a few Fred songs, notably a "lesbian version" of "Wilder Than Her," and "Rodeo Boy." Most regular Fredheads will know that the "lesbian version" reference results from Dar Williams’s decision to record "Wilder Than Her" without switching the gender of the lover. Fred loved getting the royalty cheques and claims he’s now written a whole closet full of "lesbian song after lesbian song." Whiteley’s backing vocals enriched the sound, just as Ottawa singer Lynn Miles has on previous occasions.

Fred performed several unrecorded songs, most of which I’d heard before. There was the obligatory "White Trash" dedicated to the Fredheads who didn’t know that Quebec law prohibits Airstreams without Quebec plates, and so were diverted to CFB Petawawa, where they drank and fought with the Canadian Armed Forces instead. "He’s a Good Dog," was apparently NOT about a Dalmatian, which Fred apparently detests (they’re used as fire dogs because nobody cares if they burn, he claims). "Pretty Good Guy," co-written with Chris Knight, was another I’ve heard before. One that I had not heard before Fred performed solo – a moving one about visiting his daughter in his mother’s custody. I’ve no idea of the title, except there’s a refrain about returning to "bleary-eyed boys" at the bar. Another new (to me) one may be "You Should Have Stayed With Your Wife."

Darcy Yates, on electric bass, has replaced Ralph Schipper.

Roger Marin, on steel pedal and electric guitars, adds a richer tone to the music.

Willie P. Bennett, on mandolin, harmonica, and backing vocals, is still the mainstay of the band. An outstanding songwriter and solo performer, regrettably he doesn't play his own work when he performs with Fred.

Jude Waldman, on drums, has played with the band previously, and is expected to play a larger role in the future. He has his own CD, "Songwriter."

Jenny Whiteley performed an opening set before Fred and the boys came on stage. She also provided lovely backing vocals when Fred did "Wilder Than Her" and "Rodeo Boy." Dar Williams made "Wilder Than Her" famous as a "lez-byin" song, by singing it without changing the lover's gender. [See picture of Dar Williams performing it]

Fred performed a solid mix of songs mainly from the three most recent CDs. His performance of the older "Indiana Road" was excellent.

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Fred Eaglesmith

More Pictures from May 12, 2000 Show

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