Posted inLive Recordings

Kathleen Edwards @ Flato Markham Theatre

Kathleen Edwards @ Flato Markham Theatre

. : : October 11th, 2024 : : .

Hi.

I guess it's been a minute, hasn't it?

The global pandemic, outrageously increasing costs in concert ticket prices, significantly more responsibility at work, and just a hectic life in general have all conspired to keep me away from this site for much, much longer than I ever intended to be away.

That's not to say I haven't been to / recorded any concerts in the interim; maybe it's worth noting, without getting into detail (I'll leave that for future entries), that things haven't gone exactly to plan with any of them. These difficulties were definitely a gigantic obstacle in getting my motivation reignited.

I wish I could say this one started off any differently.

READ MORE...

Posted inLive Recordings

Kathleen Edwards @ The Back Room

Kathleen Edwards

. : : September 10th, 2021 : : .

Three weeks ago, I posted a high quality, professional recording rip of a condensed Kathleen Edwards set from her autumn 2021 tour.

But by the time I put that one online, I was already holding onto a fantastic audience recording of a full set performed at The Back Room in Milwaukee, recorded by a fellow fanatic and blog-reader who graciously donated his tape to Hater-High!

I wanted to give the tape some breathing space before posting it -- both to encourage fans to actually get out and see the shows on this tour, and also to have time to give it a quick EQ once-over to bring up the vocals and guitars a bit in the mix.

But Kathleen's back at home, and fans across the world (including Canada *cough*) still haven't had a chance to see her triumphant return to music. This might not quite be the next best thing, but it's definitely next-best-thing-adjacent.

Posted inLive Recordings

Kathleen Edwards @ Mountain Stage

[caption id="attachment_1846" align="aligncenter" width="500"]Kathleen Edwards Kathleen Edwards @ Mountain Stage[/caption]

. : : September 19th, 2021 : : .

 

Total Freedom.

 

A feeling that can only truly be understood, only appreciated, after the heavy weight of oppression.

 

Eight years after the Voyageur album, Kathleen Edwards returned from semi-retirement with an album of songs that are reflective, appreciative, contemplative, and (mostly) positive in Total Freedom.

 

Maybe the most honest, open, and all but entirely unconcealed work yet, fans seem to have found the album a welcome breath of fresh air.

 

Committed to returning to live music in a post-pandemic(?) America, Kathleen took her band on a stretch of dates shortly after the first anniversary of the album's release.

Posted inLive Recordings

Kathleen Edwards @ Cabaret Music Hall

[caption id="attachment_1799" align="aligncenter" width="500"]Kathleen Edwards Kathleen Edwards @ Cabaret Music Hall[/caption]

. : : April 3rd, 2003 : : .  

It's not every day you come across a new Kathleen Edwards live recording, let alone one that's old enough to drink, vote, and be conscripted!

 

Yet, here's a solid sounding recording of Kathleen at Cabaret Music Hall in Montreal -- her first performance in the city, if you can believe it -- way back in 2003. A fresh DAT transfer was released earlier this year by original taper stevemtl (and all credit goes to him).

 

The set list seems fairly standard for the time, but if even lightly scrutinized, there's quite a bit too be impressed by. Remember: this is 2003 and Kathleen has only a single LP to her name. Yet here she is, generously performing well over a dozen songs and clocking in at almost 85-minutes.

 

Among the tracks you'd expect on a tour to promote Failer, you'll find previews of songs that would end up on Back to Me (Copied Keys, Summerlong), perennial b-side Lazy Eye, some classic rock covers from AC/DC and Black Sabbath, and a song that I'd actually never even heard of before this recording, Shinny.

Posted inLive Recordings

Kathleen Edwards @ Massey Hall

[caption id="attachment_1364" align="aligncenter" width="500"]Kathleen Edwards Kathleen Edwards @ Massey Hall[/caption]

. : : May 4th, 2018 : : .

Concert-going wise, I have a few regrets.

Many of them either before I was old enough to afford my own tickets or after I started a family of my own, and expendable income became a distant, laughable memory or the past.

From the latter category: Kathleen Edwards, seemingly out of nowhere, was advertised to have an opening slot for Matt Mays at Massey Hall.

Now, I'm not gonna lie: I have no idea who Matt Mays is. I'm an admittedly horrible Canadian. But I do know Massey Hall, and I've written here before about how it's probably my least favourite venue in the city.

Posted inReviews

Kathleen Edwards at Fixed Hinge Recording

[caption id="attachment_1356" align="aligncenter" width="500"]Kathleen Edwards Kathleen Edwards @ Fixed Hinge Recording[/caption]

. : : August 25th, 2020 : : .

Kathleen Edward's Total Freedom album came as a bit of a surprise to me.

I mean, I knew she'd started live performances again but these shows seemed sporadic and without much fanfare; I thought them little more than a way for her to pay some favors, pad the pockets, and perhaps even provide a wee bit of ego bolstering.

When clips of her in the studio started showing up on Instagram, I must admit: it still didn't feel real. It had been too long. She had been too adamant. But then the pre-order page went live.

Test pressings, autographed vinyls, CDs, t-shirts, Quitters Coffee, and all kinds of incentives littered the campaign. There was one in particular that caught my eye, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic...

A private, online concert for a fan and up to 24 friends.

Posted inLive Recordings

Kathleen Edwards @ City Winery, NY

[caption id="attachment_1336" align="aligncenter" width="500"]Kathleen Edwards Kathleen Edwards @ City Winery[/caption]

. : : January 31st, 2013 : : .

There's something to be said about wineries.

Not content to merely be fancified drinking holes, North American wineries have diversified into premiere hot spots of arts and culture.

It is hardly any wonder that musicians, perhaps some of the greatest patrons of potent potables, seem to flock to them like moths to lamplight.

As a sober person, I can see and appreciate the appeal. It extends the relaxation and social aspects of concert-going throughout the afternoon. Or, if you're there for the booze, you get to top your day off with a musical performance.

Because it's not their primary purpose, these wineries are often smaller, intimate venues. The wine barrels give them warm, rustic ambiance. All-in-all, pretty great places for artist and fan to see a show.

City Winery is a chain of wineries throughout the US, and although I can't claim to have visited one, "Keith from NY"'s recording of Kathleen Edwards performing there in 2013 makes a strong case.

Posted inLive Recordings

Kathleen Edwards @ BBC Radio

[caption id="attachment_1299" align="aligncenter" width="500"]Kathleen Edwards Kathleen Edwards @ BBC[/caption]

. : : June 7th, 2007 : : .

Bob Harris' radio show for BBC Radio 2 co-sponsored the NXNE event that first introduced me to Kathleen Edwards. Harris was fond of the roots rock scene in Canada, and was known to promote it on the other side of the pond whenever possible.

It's hard to say whether or not that concert -- you know, the one that introduced me to Kathleen, Jim Bryson, Luke Doucet, Melissa McClelland, Justin Rutledge, Oh Susanna, etc. -- would have still happened without his support and the Beeb's agreement to record it for airing on his program. I like to imagine it wouldn't have: it was a confluence of random happenstance that brought all these acts together, and me to that room.

I then have to give a lot of credit to Bob and the BBC for their part in my obsession with deep fondness of these performers and their music.

Posted inLive Recordings

Kathleen Edwards @ KCRW Studios

[caption id="attachment_1290" align="aligncenter" width="498"]Kathleen Edwards Kathleen Edwards @ KCRW[/caption]

. : : March 24th, 2005 : : .

How are you all enjoying the all-Kathleen Edwards end of summer special?

Hopefully, you're finding something new in all the something old. I have a few more up my sleeve, starting with this set Kathleen and band performed for LA radio station KCRW on their famed Morning Becomes Eclectic show back in 2005.

KCRW gave the band space for a generous 7-song set and interview and they took full advantage. The group played about half of Back To Me -- an album that was only three weeks old at the time, but recently celebrated its 15th birthday -- a note-worthy version of Somewhere Else where Kathleen and original writer Jim Bryson trade off vocals, and Unknown Legend, a great Neil Young cover!

Posted inLive Recordings

Kathleen Edwards @ National Public Radio

[caption id="attachment_1265" align="aligncenter" width="500"]Kathleen Edwards Kathleen Edwards @ NPR[/caption]

One More Song The Radio Won't Like?

How about a couple dozen Kathleen Edwards songs that the radio obviously did like?

Here's a compilation of performances for NPR, presented in chronological order, as captured by Manillo and shared on DimeADozen. As they are all FM-sourced and originally professionally recorded, the sound quality is excellent throughout.