Live Performance: Kim Mitchell – Montebello Park – St. Catharines – 09/26/2024
Steve Obrien Live Performance: Kim Mitchell – Montebello Park – St. Catharines – 09/26/2024
Canadian pop rock’s elder statesman returns to St. Catharines with a bang!!
Kim Mitchell hasn’t exactly been a scarcity here in the Niagara region, or the rest of the country for that matter.A staple of festival stages, theaters, and larger clubs and casino’s, he’s logged many a Canadian mile behind his tour bus.
This “Sultan of summer song”was never one to rest on his laurels….rather…he always seemed to be mere hours away from his next soundcheck. To his credit, Kim was keenly aware of the following fact: live music rules!! And whenever those stage lights hit, we the audience knew we were in for a rocking good time. It could be said that because his music was so familiar (Canadian rock radio propelled several of his tunes up the charts), that there was scant room for any surprises, or “deeper cuts” so to speak.
Well, recently (Sept. 26/2024) at a concert in Montebello Park , St. Catharines, I WAS SURPRISED.
Yes, he covered most of his radio friendly favorites such as “ Rock and Roll Duty”, ”Rockland Wonderland”, ” Patio Lanterns”, ”Go for Soda” etc. But there was something different about this performance that was quite palpable to behold.
Kim, at 72, exhibited a relaxed demeanor on stage. A looseness that seemed to belie any pressure or concern for enhancing any “chart positions” or otherwise career objectives. After all, the man has been there, done that, and succeeded in all those capacities quite efficiently. Simply, it appeared he just wanted to plug in and play. And play he did.
It was a special treat, of course, to hear him revisit an impressive selection of old Max Webster tunes as well.
Max has always lingered in Kim’s past as a sort of “alter ego”. A favorite among us long standing fans. Perhaps not as commercially viable as some of his later hits, but so musically creative and unique, and a welcome addition to the set list. And the appreciative crowd let him know it. (The encore was even a Max tune!!).
There were several other pure delights on display this night. Among them, Kim has never sung better, adding a warm, bluesy acceleration to the notes that worked well in his favor.
Also, long time bandmate Peter Fredette was as strong as ever both vocally and playing wise… (STILL nailing the fan favorite “All We Are”).
At the rear of the stage, Canadian drummer extraordinaire Dave Langguth amply displayed why he is considered by many to be one of this country’s absolute best. Any drummers present in the audience were hitting the woodshed the next day. Guaranteed!
Keyboardist Ray Coburn added texture and nuance, and filled in the gaps in all the right places.
Also worthy of mention, the sound production for the show, courtesy of PSI, with Kim’s own team at the helm, was quite possibly the best I’ve ever heard in an outdoor venue.