Trooper / Reckless @ Savoy Theatre 06/23/00
For those who attended the Trooper show at the Savoy Theatre on Friday, June 23 based on their last performance, I’m afraid there were a lot of fans disappointed by the quality of the show. When the band did put in the effort, the results were excellent–especially on “Janine”, “Here for a Good Time” and “Boy with a Beat”. But in my opinion, and based on conversations with others in attendance, there was entirely too much chit chat on the stage. The band, and in particular lead singer Ra McGuire, wasted too much time rambling on about nothing. They indulged in talking too much about members of the band and the extended mid-song solo instrumentals made for frequent trips to the bar for more drinks.
The dance floor, made possible by the removal of several rows of front seats, was not utilized until the last third of the evening. The distance of audience from the stage seemed to get the band off to an awkward start. About the most excitement of the night was when a well known construction worker from Glace Bay decided to join the band on stage and was quickly returned to the dance floor by the hired team of security guards.
High marks for this night belong to local bar band, Reckless, who opened the evening with an assortment of high energy numbers to a great response from the audience. Lead singer Robert Barrie has a versatile voice that can handle almost anything from Barenaked Ladies to AC/DC. People were talking about the outstanding lead-guitar of Lyndon MacKenzie. Bassist Cory Keeping did an exceptional job on some traditional songs including “Nancy Whisky”. Pianist Aaron Lewis and drummer Dave MacNeil round out this popular Cape Breton band who received rave reviews from the wide spectrum of ages in attendance at the Savoy.
