Shelter Me! (taking the high road)

   Listening to the solo album “Shelter Me” by Jack Russell on the way into work today.  I couldn't help but reflect on my favourite band Great White and its history.  This week I bought a ticket to a Jack Russell Great White summer show.  That show is a 10 hour drive from my place in Toronto.  The other version of Great White is playing 2 weeks later and that venue is only 1 hour away from my house.  I found it a little sad that, the version of the band that is coming so geographically close, has very little interest to me now.

   I’ve always admired Michael Lardie, and still do to a point.  That guy knows music and is crazy versatile!  I even enjoy  Mark Kendall’s guitar playing.  I’d buy future solo albums from either of those guys if that happens.  But, Terry’s singing was just so bad; I can’t do it.  Even with the talent the other guys in the band have; (and attitudes aside, you know there’s talent there, you can't deny it) I can't do it.  Yes the rest of the band can rock, I don't think anyone would question that.  But I've decided I can't get past that voice.  Maybe Terry’s voice works for XYZ, and that's fine; but it just depletes the Great White songs I've loved for so long now.  

   It’s cool to see Jack often taking the high road.  On his monthly Radio Screamer Show  ( http://radioscreamer.com/jack-on-archives/jack-on-with-jack-russell-2/ ) show he mentions Lardie a couple of times. Right after he played "Shelter Me"; Jack says 'ya gotta give him his due credit'.  Acknowledging that Lardie played guitar, keyboards and co-produced the record.  Later on in the same show, after playing "Silent Night" he says "I just wanted to give Michael Lardie credit on that one. He actually played the solo, and it was such a great solo for the song that I decided to keep it in the song.  So kudos to him."  Yes, he said exactly that.  So, even though Jack knows the shit-storm of crap the some of other guys try and create by verbal accusations and finger pointing; Jack puts that aside and give kudos and credit to Lardie.  In my book, that's a class act.  I wonder if Lardie or anyone in the other band would say the same about Jack?  From what I've been hearing and reading directly from the other band members, likely not. It's sad that they can't say anything positive about a guy that right along side them, cranked out song after rockin' song, year after rockin' year.  So, like I said its sad; but I'd rather drive 10 hours to see a singer give it his all, then drive an hour to see a guy just going through the motions.