This past Saturday, April 29, 2017 – I saw David Olney play with Blair Hogan in a basement in Woodstock, Ontario. It was one of the best live shows I’ve ever seen!
The evening began with George Douglas (the host of the evening) singing a few of his songs, they dealt with loss, and addiction, George was accompanied by the musical horse, of the evening, Blair Hogan. George also has a CD out on Brock Zeman’s label: “Music from Big Muddy”! https://www.cdbaby.com/m/cd/georgecwdouglas
Brock Zeman (who produced David Olney’s latest CD – “Don’t Try to Fight It”) performed 2nd with Blair Hogan.. if You have never heard Brock Zeman, You are depriving your ears of some amazing songs. Brock Zeman’s latest CD is “The Carnival Is Back In Town”, available on Busted Flat Records. http://www.brockzeman.com/brock-zeman-discography-2/ Brock Zeman is one of Canada’s hidden treasures! Brock Zeman and Blair Hogan have captivated audiences from The Arctic to the Texas border! With Brock’s songwriting, gravelly voice and Blair Hogan’s tasty licks, You don’t “need” to hear them, it’s imperative, that You will “Love” hearing them! Imagine Ryan Adams lyricism, with Ray Wylie Hubbard’s voice – better yet see Brock and Blair live! Canada has many hidden treasures, Brock and Blair among them! http://www.brockzeman.com/
David Olney opened the 2nd set, with accompanyment by Blair Hogan. The night was magic, Mr. Olney was very understated, very humble, and an amazing performer. David took Us on a journey through his songs: “If My Eyes Were Blind” (recorded by Steve Young), “Jerusalem Tomorrow” (recorded by Emmylou Harris among others), and then got down to some serious rocking. If you’ve never heard David’s sideman “Blair Hogan” .. You have a huge hole in Your music appreciation experience! David’s career with The X-Rays attests to how much R&R has shaped his music. The Man just breathes music out of his pores. http://www.davidolney.com/product/dont-try-to-fight-it/
I had heard of David Olney before the performance, but was not prepared for his honesty, humbleness, talent.
The evening ended with David Olney singing “For the Sake of the Song”, written by one of David’s dear friends Townes Van Zandt.
For the sake of “The Music”, this evening really stands out!
The whole evening cost $20. That was the best 20 bucks I ever spent!
