The Great Plains brought a flawless performance and top-notch songwriting to Rockglen on June 2. The veteran singer-songwriting duo of Saskia and Darrel from Courtney, B.C., now perform under the band name of The Great Plains.
They have been touring for 15 years throughout Canada and Europe. It was hard to peg their music which had its own unique flavour created from many musical influences.
The audience most enjoyed hearing familiar elements from their lives in song. For example, Darrel writes in one song “O, the Prairie Elevator” about tearing down a country elevator, preserving in music the meaning of this timeless symbol of Saskatchewan. There are not too many songs that include “Pioneer elevator” in their lyrics. The duo debuted their song “The Farm Auction” that features the perspective of a young girl watching her family farm being auctioned off.
Set in a melancholic tone, Darrel’s composition perfectly captures the emotional complexity of a farm auction.
The duo’s professionalism and experience was reflected in the well-crafted concert song sets. The Great Plains performed a smart balance of songs that each of them wrote, as well as a few popular favourites by such musical greats as Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash and Leonard Cohen. The two also smoothly traded off singing lead vocals and duo harmonies.
