As a burdgeoning songwriter/performer it’s good to know even the pros forget their own songs sometimes. The secret is to covering it up well.
Case in point, another excellent show from Prism, who returned to Lethbridge to play Coyote Joes, June 18.
They always seem to put on the same show, same sizzling slide guitar solo from frontman Al Harlow, same set list, same classics like ‘See Forever Eyes,’ ‘Mirror Man,’ ‘Young and Restless,’ a couple new tracks from their new CD ‘Big Black Sky’ which had a good chunk of the almost full house dancing. And the same stage patter . Frontman Al Harlow asked the audience “Do you remember the early days of Prism, our first lead singer was a big, blond bruiser from Surrey B.C. named Ron Tabak. He died in a cycling crash in the early ’80s.
This was his favourite song,” after which he launched into one of their well known ballads ‘Take Me Away,’ The most interesting part of the show was what happened during my personal favourite ‘Take Me to the Kaptain.’
This was impressive, except Harlow forgot the first verse of the song, but covered it up beautifully with a blistering guitar solo, followed the second verse, played another wicked solo followed by singing the first verse twice.
He didn’t miss a beat and grinned ear to ear all the way through it. That’s professionalism and showmanship.
He introduced the band’s new keyboardist Mark Gladstone, who I was pleased to see, nailed the keyboard solo on See Forever Ey
es. I arrived late, so I didn’t get to see what he did with my other favourite ‘Flyin’’
The ended with my other favourite Prism song ‘Spaceship Superstar.’
Something unusual followed that. Country singer Craig Moritz took the stage after Prism at around 12:30 a.m.
He and his tight band put on a crack show of originals and popular covers like Toby Keith’s “Should Have Been A Cowboy,” as well as an upbeat version of Don Williams’ ‘Living on Tulsa Time.’
He was also playing Coyote Joes on Saturday night.
