The Tragically Hip’s Acclaimed ‘Live At The Roxy’ Is Out Now
Often bootlegged, this widely-praised concert was only previously available as part of the ‘Road Apples’ 30th anniversary deluxe package in 2021.
The Tragically Hip’s Live At The Roxy is now available worldwide as a standalone live album through Universal Music Canada. Prior to its inclusion on the Road Apples 30th Anniversary Deluxe package last year, the 15-song concert had not been publicly available and was a sought-after show for the bootleggers and diehard fans. Now this legendary recording is available digitally for the first time and as a standalone 2 LP vinyl album and single CD. The album features the previously released live version of “She Didn’t Know” and “Cordelia” as well as the fan favourite ‘Killer Whale’ version of “New Orleans Is Sinking.”
Originally recorded on May 3, 1991, at the iconic Los Angeles venue for a Westwood One radio show, only 40 minutes of the set was broadcasted on air at the time, making the full recording that much more in demand. Don Smith, producer on Up To Here and Road Apples, mixed and recorded the Roxy concert in full outside of the venue from a mobile studio.
This renowned concert saw the band at peak performance and is considered one of the best live shows from any rock band of the era. Reminiscing on the night and what made this show particularly special for the band, bassist Gord Sinclair recalls: “I remember the Roxy show like it was yesterday. We had spent a year on the road before recording Road Apples and got right back in the saddle when we finished. The new tunes worked great live and by the time we got to LA we were firing on all pistons.”
Live At The Roxy is the second standalone live record for the band and it’s been 25 years since their first, Live Between Us, released in 1997. With all tracks completely remastered in 2021 by Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound in Nashville, the album features the fan favourite “Killer Whale Tank” version of “New Orleans Is Sinking.” The nine-minute track is characterized by mid-song story from the late frontman Gord Downie about a job cleaning an aquarium and inadvertently causing friction between the two whales held in the tank, fact or fiction, fans listen in wonderment.
The captivating adlibbing throughout the entirety of the record creates the experience for the listener and as Sinclair describes: “A great show is something you just have to experience to understand. The magic stays with you. Listening back 30 years later and I’m transported to that hot, sweaty, and very special night. The band was tight and unstoppable. Great crowd, great venue. Together we took things to another level.”
The Tragically Hip fans brought this release to fruition after countless requests for the deep cut versions of some of the band’s most celebrated songs. Live At The Roxy offers a timeless experience of this sensational night as never before released. The striking album artwork is sequential to the Road Apples 30th Anniversary Deluxe art sure to be a favourite of any collection.
Buy or stream Live At The Roxy, Los Angeles May 3rd, 1991.
Live At The Roxy, Los Angeles May 3rd, 1991 Track listing:
“Little Bones”
“She Didn’t Know”
“Twist My Arm”
“Highway Girl”
“Cordelia”
“Trickle Down”
“The Luxury”
“Three Pistols”
“Fight”
“I Believe in You (Or I’ll Be Leaving You Tonight)”
“New Orleans is Sinking”
“On The Verge 2”
“Long Time Running”
“Blow At High Dough”
“All Canadian Surf Club”
