I'll always remember the first time I saw Spirit of the West in concert in UVic in the early 90s. They played at the theater the symphony normally plays at, and had no idea what a raucous crowd would show up. I think there was one poor female student in charge of security, and over 1000 people were in the first 3 rows and on stage by the end of the second song. Not too much bad happened other than a bunch of damaged theater seats. They always put on a great show.
I guess he's home for a rest... RIP
Last edited by nfotiu; 11-20-2019 at 06:40 PM.
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Really sad and a tremendously sh*tty way to go. Spirit of the West was a tremedously fun, talented party band,. At least his fight against a insidious and evil illness. RIP
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While Home for a Rest is probably one of my favorite songs (at least for the genre).. in fact I'm part of a small North American work conference of a few hundred people and when we hosted the meeting in Canada the DJ played that song at the conference party and all of the attendees were wondering what the song was- now the meeting is held mostly in the states, but it turns out many of them had saved the song to their phone, and now its played at the party every year regardless of venue...
but I feel sad that for many their entire legacy will be the band with that one "frosh song" where they do have a pretty varied and great catalogue, as far as I'm concerned!
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the documentary Spirit Unforgettable, while gutting, is a must watch
I'll second this. Have it on my PVR and watched it a few times, including just a few weeks ago. I was wondering how he was doing a few days ago so to see this thread pop up really was a punch to the stomach. RIP John.
I'll second this. Have it on my PVR and watched it a few times, including just a few weeks ago. I was wondering how he was doing a few days ago so to see this thread pop up really was a punch to the stomach. RIP John.
I really enjoyed John's story behind "Home for a Rest". They literally lived that during their failed attempt to tour in Europe.
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One of my favourite bands, I don’t know how many times I saw them but it was a lot. I always felt they were a bit underrated and beyond a couple of songs didn’t get the same accolades as someone like The Hip. Their lyrics were equal to me and a lot of their songs resonate. Goodbye Grace and Rites of Man are great lyrical stories about deeply difficult times for band members or friends. They had great reach from the get up and dance party songs, to gut wrenching ones with political and other thought provoking in between. John always reminded my of a Canadian Michael Stipe. He was awfully brave over the past few years through the final tours.
He will be missed but I’m glad he gets to rest now.
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One of my favourite bands, I don’t know how many times I saw them but it was a lot. I always felt they were a bit underrated and beyond a couple of songs didn’t get the same accolades as someone like The Hip. Their lyrics were equal to me and a lot of their songs resonate. Goodbye Grace and Arms of Man are great lyrical stories about deeply difficult times for band members or friends. They had great reach from the get up and dance party songs, to gut wrenching ones with political and other thought provoking in between. John always reminded my of a Canadian Michael Stipe. He was awfully brave over the past few years through the final tours.
He will be missed but I’m glad he gets to rest now.
am also taking stock of the catalogue- many resonate as timely (timeless?)
Save This House- environmental themes
And if Venice is Sinking (hmmm, it is?)
Political- yes about a relationship breakup but I think of it too in light of the ongoing lack of civility and discourse in politics everywhere nowadays
(Putting up with) the Joneses- not maybe my favorite tune, but I love the lyrics on this one, as it hits very close to my heart personally regarding adults with disabilities and society's treatment of the same
oh and then there are the party tunes! HFAR for sure..the Crawl!! etc
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All good choices Loooob. If I remember correctly, Venice was written on their honeymoon. Also they hated the remake of Political. I believe the sorry is the label forced that one on them.
Another good song is The Old Sod, especially if you’re Scottish. And of course Vince’s rendition of That’s Amore was hilarious live.
They had a number of politicalish songs, D for Democracy and Water in the Well plus the ones you mentioned.
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a feeling, and sex is just repetitive motion.