(Toronto) When the little red recording light went on at Hollywood’s famed Roxy Theatre, the pressure was immense on Tragically Hip’s shoulders to put on a great show, guitarist Paul Langlois recalls.
Posted at 12:17 p.m.
It didn’t take long for that nervousness to give way to pleasure, says Langlois, as the band’s lead singer, Gord Downie, began to punctuate the pieces with off-the-cuff reflections.
This show recorded in public on May 3, 1991 will be released as a separate album on digital platforms, but also in vinyl and CD format, on June 24, after being remastered for the box set. Road Apples released last year for the 30and anniversary of the Kingston, Ontario group.
That show at the Roxy Theater has become a coveted item for collectors over the decades, both because of its legendary “Sunset Strip” venue and Downie’s highly inspired improvisations that night, Langlois said.
“As soon as we started, we kind of forgot it was recorded,” Langlois said over the phone, ahead of Thursday’s announcement. “It was carefree, but intense and festive. »
The show, which was originally recorded for a radio show, consists solely of the band’s early “rock hits,” said Langlois, whose Little Bones, Long Time Running and Cordelia.
The album also contains the legendary nine-minute rendition of New Orleans Is Sinkingwhich had given rise to a lot of improvisation that night from Downie, and musicians trying to follow him, recalls Langlois.
She Didn’t Knowtaken from this new album Live at the Roxyhas been available since Thursday for sale or listening on digital platforms.