The Burning Kettles, Alanadale, and The Natural live @ Park Theatre!

Anthony Sweet has got to be one of the most relaxed people in the world.

Alanadale, the Burning Kettles, and The Natural (featuring Anthony Sweet, above) are three bands with strong connections to students here at CMU.  Last Sunday, they performed a show at Park Theatre on Osborne.  It was a last-minute decision to go, but it's a good thing I did!  Here are some of the highlights:

Act I: The Burning Kettles

The Burning Kettles are a folk music band who play a variety of original pieces.  What I enjoy most about them is the way they variate in interesting ways on songs I already know.  I know the band through being friends with Rabecca Hill (centre of the picture).  

Intermission

Rob Martins, a fellow student, is excited and ready for more!

Act II: Alanadale

     I remember early last year when this band began.  It was comprised entirely of CMU students, namely Thomas Krause and Josie Guenther (pictured) and George Dyck III.  In this show they announced the addition of a new member on keyboard: Dale Thiessen.  In most of their previous shows they had mainly covered songs  written by others with their own unique spin.  They are now performing more original material.

Gerald, Peter, and Krista  -- "The Blowers".

    In one of their songs "the blowers" (pictured above) were enlisted to provide some additional layering. 

George Dyck III in his many varied musical talents.

     And then, mid-way through the performance, the lights went down, the crowd grew silent, and George Dyck III took out a giant scroll and began reading an incantation.  I didn't know what was going on until I saw a giant mysterious object gently floating down to the stage.

...This is Spinal Tap, anyone?

Act III: The Natural

     

     The Natural is a band led by Anthony Sweet with Andre Forget, Colin Clay, and Alanadale's George Dyck III.  They are hands-down my favourite CMU band.  They have a very polished and diverse sound -- from the mystically quiet to the loud and driving.  Anthony has been making music for quite some time.  Although his band hasn't released any recordings yet, you can find some of his slower, stand-alone songs on cbc radio 3.  

Andre Forget gets into the music.

We're here to rock!

     The theatre was packed throughout the entire performance with many people I knew and many others I didn't.  I had a great evening and I'm sure glad the three bands put their all into this show.  Thank you!  Thanks also to Matthew Veith for these pictures.  Until next time!