Barenaked Ladies and the VSO

Every couple has songs that spark fond memories of the other person and bring a smile to each person's face.  One of those songs for us is "If I Had a Million Dollars" by the Canadian music group the Barenaked Ladies.

The song lyrics, according to Wikipedia "offer oddball ideas about eccentric purchases one would make with a million dollars" while hinting at romantic intentions including a tree fort, Kraft dinner, art (like a Picaso or a Garfunkel), a green dress (but not a real one for that is cruel) and a monkey (haven't you always wanted a monkey?). 

Perhaps it is the call-and-response nature of the lyrics that charmed us. It may have been the line about purchasing a tree fort or perhaps spending a million dollars on Kraft dinner.  Either way, this little tune has wormed it's way into our iPods and favorite song lists.  When it comes on the radio, we sing this song to one another -- very badly and just as loudly.

It comes as no surprise that when I heard a blurb on the radio about the Barenaked Ladies playing for one night with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra at the downtown Orpheum Theatre, we purchased the tickets immediately.  

The evening was was billed as a "unique evening featuring outstanding arrangements of BNL's greatest hits and some funky Christmas favorites" with the talented VSO.   

The Orpheum Theatre, located on the popular Granville Street in downtown Vancouver, opened in 1927 as Vancouver's largest vaudeville house, providing a popular mix of live and screen entertainment. The theatre is rich in appearance and provides a rare example of the Spanish Baroque Revival style, an uncommon type of 1920s architecture.

From its soaring ceilings, intricate railings, stunning chandeliers and opulent style, the theatre itself is impressive and, as such, is a designated National Heritage Site.  The two of us were blown away by the various levels, stairways and openings into gathering areas. 

Mike and I knew we were in for a night of great music. The Barenaked Ladies have sold over 14 million albums worldwide "racked up 8 Juno Awards and multiple Grammy nominations."  While the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and conductor Gordon Gerrard attract some of the world's best musicians, produce Grammy and Juno award-winning recordings and bring the classical and modern sounds of music to VSO listeners across Canada.

What we weren't prepared for was how engaging these two groups could be with the audience.  Often times, concerts are more about getting through the playlist and calling it a night.  However, the BNL are famous for their banter between songs and the improv direction of their shows.

This kind of performance fit into the vaudeville nature of the Opheum Theatre and just magnified the experience for us.  The BNL busted out some old dance moves (like the Roger Rabbit) and even executed an A Capella song. 

The amazing sounds of the symphony added a new dynamic to the alternative/folk/indie sounds of the BNL. It was amazing to see the blending and mutual sharing between the two groups.

But what won us over was the last song before the encore -- "If I Had a Million Dollars" was just as amazing in person and it is on the radio or one of their various recordings.  

The band members share the vocals with the lead Ed Robertson starts and the keyboardist Kevin Hearn responds.  In the choruses, Robertson and the rest of the band repeat the harmonized title line. 

They do banter between the chorus with this evening's banter being about whether the stuffing goes in a turkey or not. 

By the end of the song, they have the entire theatre singing the title line with the band. 

I have to say, it was one of the best live performances I have attended.  Perhaps it was the importance of the song for Mike and I or the majestic environment.  But I just like to think of it as the perfect date night . . . that didn't cost us a million dollars.



Resources: 

• Orpheum Theatre 
• Barenaked Ladies
• "If I Had a Million Dollars"
• Vancouver Symphony Orchestra