I thought the Be Good Tanyas had broken up years ago and were done for good, but apparently they’re baaaack! I saw them in concert last evening, and they have other tour dates planned as well. The Vancouver folk-bluegrass trio had gone on hiatus around 2007/2008, after touring extensively behind the group’s three popular indie albums: Blue Horses (2000), Chinatown (2003) and Hello Love (2006). After that, the girls burnt out and opted for individual projects. Last night they seemed back in old form: Trish on the banjo and guitar, Samantha often on the mandolin and Frazey at the vocals helm (they were backed by a bass player and a drummer as well). The girls were a bit disorganized between songs, but played old favorites soulfully and as if they were happy to be back. I recognized most of their songs, though it had been a while. They produce a folky cool sound, though you often can’t understand all their words because of their impressionistic, mumbled renderings, but nonetheless the songs’ feelings shine through. Here is the set list from their May 17 concert in Calgary:
1) In Spite of All the Damage
2) Only in the Past
3) Reuben
4) Ootischenia
5) Colorado Girl (Townes Van Zandt song)
6) The Littlest Birds
7) Human Thing
8) One More Cup of Coffee (Bob Dylan cover)
9) Dogsong (aka Sleep Dog Lullaby)
10) Horses
11) Birds (Neil Young cover)
12) Waiting Around to Die
13) September Field (new song)
14) For the Turnstiles
15) Song for R.
16) Here Comes the Sun (Beatles cover)
17) A Thousand Tiny Pieces
18) Light Enough to Travel
