{"id":172,"date":"2013-04-02T22:47:31","date_gmt":"2013-04-03T03:47:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.robpenfold.com\/?p=172"},"modified":"2013-10-21T23:16:11","modified_gmt":"2013-10-22T04:16:11","slug":"matt-mays-molson-canadian-studio-24-march-2013","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.robpenfold.com\/?p=172","title":{"rendered":"Matt Mays @ Molson Canadian Studio – 24 March 2013"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"MM_Mar2013_7\"<\/a>So it has taken me a bit to sit down and write this concert review.\u00a0 This was Jay Smith’s (guitar, at left in photo) second last show before his unexpected passing two nights later in Edmonton.\u00a0 What do I say?\u00a0 Writing about the show and ignoring the significance of this particular performance is like trying to ignore the elephant in the room.\u00a0 But on the other hand I do not want to dwell on the tragedy either.<\/p>\n

So here is what I am going to say on the matter and then I will talk about the show.\u00a0 Let’s see if I can achieve some balance.\u00a0 I am very grateful that I got to see one of Jay’s last performances.\u00a0 Having been a fan of Matt Mays since the El Torpedo days I am ashamed to say that I have not seen a performance since “Cocaine Cowgirl” was a radio hit and they opened for Blue Rodeo (which was 1 June 2005 – I keep ticket stubs).\u00a0 That was before Jay joined the band and help usher in the gritter sound we hear on the Terminal Romance album.\u00a0 And what an addition he was to the band.\u00a0 Such a talented guitar player.\u00a0 So out of utter disregard for my eardrums I stood right up front on Sunday just a couple of feet away from Jay and watched him play so effortlessly.\u00a0 Such a thrill.<\/p>\n

After Jay’s unexpected passing two nights later, Matt Mays and the band posted a statement on Facebook that they would continue the tour as Jay would have wanted and that all proceeds would go to Jay’s children.\u00a0 They have subsequently set-up a trust fund for anyone that wishes to donate at www.mattmays.com<\/a>.\u00a0 Very classy.\u00a0 Please donate.\u00a0 Traffic was so heavy the first day that they had to set up additional sites to handle the volume.\u00a0 Canadian music fans are the best.\u00a0 My thoughts go out to Kendel, Dustin and my other musicians friends that knew him well.\u00a0 Cherish your memories.<\/p>\n

If you want a real treat, take a listen to Jay’s self-titled solo album.\u00a0 It is fantastic and you can download it from Bandcamp.<\/p>\n