For The Sheepdogs, fairness be damned

Concerts like the one from Saskatoon, Canada's finest, The Sheepdogs, make you want to scratch your head and wonder about the seeming lack of fairness in music. Of course, that doesn't truly exist. One artist or band's success is not necessarily tied to how good they are on a recording or stage.

But – and it's a huge but – if that were the case, then The Sheepdogs, who once upon a time adorned the cover of Rolling Stone, would be riding really high.

As it is, The Sheepdogs were impressive for the 275 in the audience on many fronts. They mixed it up sonically from '70s rock (the closing one-two punch of the encore "Roughrider '89" and "Feelin' Good") to country to roots rock ("I've Got a Whole Where My Heart Should Be," recalling the Stones) to Southern rock.

The lead-off "Find the Truth," had a throwback rootsy sound, but quickly migrated to Southern rock with easy-on-the-ears guitar licks.

Simply put, there was a lot to like about The Sheepdogs.

Front man Ewan Currie (the only one not sporting long hair) was a strong vocal presence throughout.

Backing him was a most excellent band. The backbone was guitarist Ricky Paquette. He may have been a bit slight in stature, but this guy can play big time. He was lyrical, expressive and really on target with his playing from start to finish.

Currie often would accompany him in the fine tradition of Southern rock with a twin guitar attack. At times, Currie and Paquette faced off with Currie showing he was more than up to snuff. Songs like the new "My Baby" featured guitar pyrotechnics, one of a number of extended songs.

But The Sheepdogs also showed they switch gears, such as on the ballad "Darling Baby" with gentle vocals from Currie.

The rhythm section of Ryan Gullen on bass and Sam Corbett on drums were tight as well. Currie's brother, Shamus, was a force on keyboards as well. Later in the show, he would play guitar making it three guitars going at it and also the keytar, a synthesizer.

At one point near the end of the show, lead singer Currie said something to the effect that "This was fun." Fame and fortune may never dd the way of The Sheepdogs. No matter though because when you play as well as The Sheepdogs, fairness be damned.