Show opener of the night, Jim Cuddy, even without Blue Rodeo, is Blue Rodeo. His voice defines the band, and in many ways, it defines a piece of Canadian music itself. Like Great Big Sea, The Tragically Hip, or Tom Cochrane, Blue Rodeo is woven into the soundtrack of this country. Cuddy’s set was a reminder of why—an easy blend of solo work and Blue Rodeo classics, delivered with the kind of heart and authenticity that has made him one of the standout singers in the Canadian scene. He’s not a rock idol, but his songs live in Canadian minds, and his performance carried that timeless quality. Unfortunately the sound was somewhat messy, as always when a Canadian artist opens for an American performer. With all that it was enjoyable and hit the spot.
Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for the headliner. Sheryl Crow has always been on my playlists, known for her clarity of sound and unique blend of styles. But on this night, the engineers lost the mix from the moment she hit the stage. The volume was cranked so high it distorted everything—her vocals broke through in thin, jagged bursts, sometimes sounding more like a cat meowing on an airport runway than the polished voice we know from her records. It was loud, muddy, and overwhelming. Instead of pulling back to let the songs breathe, the volume stayed pinned in the red, and the result was a wall of noise. She had a moment here and there, but not enough to recover the night.
Based on her studio recordings, I had expected a night of crisp, well-crafted music. What we got was chaos. The concert was ruined for me, and ever since, I can’t listen to Sheryl Crow without flashing back to that night of distortion and disappointment.
While the Calgary Herald gave her a nice review, I cannot agree with it. I mean if you roll a joint, which was pretty regular in these times, maybe you can hear through the mess and be in a happy place, but I am not a stoner.
