May 17, 2008

Blue Rodeo rides again

By Paul Freeman / Entertainment Writer

In their Canadian homeland, Blue Rodeo fills arenas. Though their brilliant brand of Americana music should translate across any border, they're relegated to clubs when they book U.S. dates.

Their latest album, "Small Miracles" earned rave reviews. The veteran roots rockers recently won three Juno Awards (Canadian equivalent of the Grammys), including Best Group. Their music is reminiscent of another iconic Canadian group, the Band.

This band's two lead singer/songwriters - Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor - founded Blue Rodeo 23 years ago.

Of their experience on our side of the border, Cuddy said, "We went through the initial flush of having all this publicity in the States - Rolling Stone reviews, TV shows. We thought, 'Of course, it'll just go like it did in Canada.' When it didn't, we were made to realize these are two different cultures. I guess we somehow represent a Canadian sensibility that's not automatically understood or accepted by Americans."

Cuddy offers an example of the differences. "As a broad generalization, in the United States, this musical genre is more recognized for its authenticity than its variations. Canadians have a tendency to embrace the variations more."

Vive la difference. "It makes you proud that these are two separate cultures," Cuddy said. "Greg and I grew up thinking we were kind of a subset of American culture. The fact is, that's not the case. And that's really OK.

"It's not uncomfortable for us to come down there. It's actually good for us as a band, playing for very different expectations. Playing on smaller stages means having to play really in sync with each other. We couldn't make a living playing in the States, but there's a lot of benefit to us on the occasions we do it."

Bay Area fans will be thrilled to hear the "Small Miracles" songs live. Their 11th studio album ranks among their finest. Over the years, Cuddy and Keelor have been the key arbitrators of arrangements and instrumentation.

"We're trying to always make as high quality music as we can," Cuddy says. "Sometimes that's difficult in your own studio, because you get into patterns. We have to somehow, consciously change up the process. This time that meant inviting more individuals to facilitate.

"It was tough, because Greg and I are not used to having that amount of scrutiny on our songs. Usually we sort of guide it through. This time, in almost every case, there was tinkering. People were tearing everything apart, changing endings, changing solos, until everyone was satisfied. About the only thing that was sacrosanct were the lyrics. I think, in all cases, it resulted in better music.

"The more you have somebody who's only partially engaged, leaving early or bored in the corner, the more that sucks the energy out of the room. This time we had everybody fully engaged. Although it can be a frenzy, it's really good, because you never have times in the studio where you're flat-lining, proceeding mechanically. You're trying to come up with things that will excite everybody."

Not that Blue Rodeo has become a complete democracy. "I still reserve the right to have a presidential veto - 'I'm singing this song, I understand what it should be and I don't think the stuff that's being offered is working.' But that didn't happen too often," Cuddy said.

The album reflects a contemplative mood. "Frankly, that's more to do with our age than anything else. Greg and I are both over 50 and the winds of mortality sort of blow through your songwriting," Cuddy said. "You're a lot more aware of the moment and therefore the songs end up being more reflective."

Cuddy appreciates the seamless nature of this album. "Some records have been disconnected. Greg and I would like each record to have bridges between his voice and my voice, his songs and my songs. That doesn't always happen naturally. Sometimes we go back and write a song that will tie things together. But more often than not, we just let the records be what they are."

With this record, however, there were many thematic connections. "It's like reading a novel," Cuddy says, "things you hadn't thought about come to the surface. That's fun when you're sequencing the record. We thought of it like a conversation between us. There would be a statement in one song and a response in the next."

Though they make amazing albums, Blue Rodeo think of themselves primarily as a live band. "We have to bring truth to the songs every night. I never tire of that," Cuddy said. "Canadian bands realize they can't just sit back and be radio sensations or celebrities. You have to get out and play. You get very close to the heart of people when you go to their backyard, especially in towns that only have 15,000 or 20,000 people in them.

"No matter where you live in Canada, we've come to your hometown at one time or another. We've been part of the landscape of people's lives."

The gratification remains the same. "Even though I've done thousands of shows, when it's good, I'm still like a kid afterwards," Cuddy said. "For us, it's like guys playing shinny (pick-up) hockey. They still get the same exhilaration they felt when they were 12. It's very satisfying to feel that you're still able to do these things."