It was remarked that Howie’s set may have benefited from skimpier outfits for the band and maybe his gameshow host persona from the Summertime Revue in place of the unintroduced Ceilidh Man. Maybe we were too hyped up for the event because we know what potential lurks behind Howie MacDonald at centre stage.
The “flaming bow” was a nice touch, as was the towel-throwing Elvis spot. He’s clearly crazy but this performance was not quite deranged enough to carry itself. “The Devil Went Down To Mabou” was a highlight. Unfortunately “Talkin’ Bout Scotch Music” didn’t quite have the impact live that it does on the radio. The bits and pieces of lyric that the audience did pick up on, like “Pissin” in the woods” and “Fix me a rum’n’coke” had them laughing out loud, but overall I think people just didn’t know what to make of it or how to take it.
