The newest obsession started back in December. We were at the Paradiso for an Indievloot night and starting sharp at 7pm was Dan Mangan.
Ok, so we weren’t so sharp with our arrival time so when we did get there the upstairs room was packed. And I mean packed! I was standing in the hallway devising my plan as to how I would get through the wall of tall Dutchies but soon realized it was quite pointless. After trying multiple angeles I was left subject to keeping myself on my tippy toes while swaying back and forth attempting to catch a glimpse.
It was all rather embarrassing, and a moment in which I was cursing my short Canadian legs, but then Dan did something fabulous. It was as if he saw me tittering in the back of the room – i know, i know, stop making it always about me. Anyways, He and his drummer made their way through the crowd to the middle of the room where Dan then stood on a chair and they proceeded to play ‘Something For Everyone’ acoustic. It was beautiful and he got the crowd into it as we sang along in the chorus. The show came to an end and it was a tip top time – two of my favorite parts of the night are below for your viewing pleasure…
After the show, being the devoted Canadian, I proceeded to the merchandise table and purchased his latest album, Oh Fortune (and thanks for the free sticker by the way – it looks fab on my bike). So the Oh Fortune album has been monopolizing my iPod time…I really enjoy this record; why you may ask? Well to start off I really like the sound of it…at times it sounds as though there are even newfie elements (ex: newfie = Newfoundland) to it. Next to the music there is his voice; deep and at times dark. Thirdly is the lyrics to his songs….he is a wonderful storyteller in his songs.
What can I say, the Fuzzbabe is never as descriptive as Manou and Erwin….I just like it or don’t. CBC did a show on him – a few of my favorites are added below for your listening pleasure. I am not sure what it is but Dan doesn’t look so relaxed in these performances. I can guarantee you 200% that is he worth seeing live as he has great interaction with the audience and sounds even better live.
Which leaves me to my last point, at the show in December Dan said he was coming back to tour at the start of 2012. Much to my disappointment his only shows in the Netherlands are in Eindhoven, Rotterdam, and Utrecht. This Fuzzbabe is gonna need to get a train ticket… enjoy!