I went to the river this morning to do some photography. The unseasonably warm temperatures have finally abated and the last two nights have been cold enough that the trees are making a serious effort to change colour. I made the ridiculously short walk up to the dam near my home where I have made some memorable photographs in the past. The air was cool and crisp and, with the clear golden light of an October morning, I managed to shoot some very nice images.
I came home and uploaded the pictures to my computer. I tuned in to CBC radio and started editing. " Late breaking story on the CBC." Gord Downie had died. It was kind of weird. I mean everyone in the nation new that he was suffering from terminal brain cancer. Almost half of the nation tuned in to the Tragically Hip's last concert broadcast by the CBC from their hometown of Kingston, Ontario. Everyone knew that it was just a matter of time before this day arrived. But, somehow, I guess that like everyone else, I had hoped it would be later rather than sooner. Despite any beforehand knowledge or mental preparation, the finality of death always seems to be unexpected.
I remember the first time I heard a Tragically Hip song. It was "New Orleans Is Sinking." Gord Downie's voice was so distinctive. A high treble with a hint of tremolo. It was powerful yet fragile at the same time. No question the the song has a great guitar hook. But it was that voice that was so distinctive. It was insistent. A voice that once heard, could not be forgotten.
I never got to see the band live. But as they released album after album, it became apparent that they weren't just another rock band. This country has always punched well above its weight in the arts and music world. Even with all that, The Hip were a little different. They were almost defiantly Canadian. In fact, if you weren't Canadian, you probably wouldn't get half the references in their lyrics. I mean outside of Canada or even Ontario for that matter, who the hell ever heard of the tiny cottage country town of Bobcaygeon?
But that it is what this band did. They reflected our stories and places back to us. Beyond that, they were a dam good rock band who knew how to write great songs and put on a show. As I finish off this piece, I've been listening to the the tributes and remembrances pour in on CBC radio. I saw an internet meme that said "Canada will be closed today due to a death in the family." That pretty much says it all. "It was in Bobcaygeon, I saw the constellations reveal themselves one star at a time." It seems to me that the constellations will shine one star brighter tonight.
I went to the river this morning to photograph some fall colours. Mr. Downie, this one's for you.
...more later
