Concert Review
Dan Hill
Bear’s Den Showroom
Seneca Niagara Casino & Resort
Niagara Falls, NY
Saturday March 25, 2017
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto
Saturday evening at The Bear’s Den inside Seneca Niagara Casino & Resort, Canadian singer-songwriter Dan Hill played a rare area show. Hill, best known for his pair of top ten smashes in “Sometimes When We Touch” and “Can’t We Try” played a story tellers type of show where he told about each song he performed. Something not too many artists do. It was perhaps the most intimate show I’ve seen in this type of setting. Hill not only bared his soul with the lyrics to his songs but he told many stories about losing some important people in his life. Not an easy thing to do.
To see Hill in concert today is kind of strange if you remember his 70s look of the long beard and hippie hair. Those days are long gone. The one thing that stood out though was Hill’s voice. While it may not be as strong as it once was, he managed to put on a quality show. Joining him onstage were background singer Wendy O’ Brien and pianist John Sheard.
While his charting days may be behind him, he still writes, perhaps some of his most poignant writing to date. The appreciative but small crowd came alive during the aforementioned hits. Hill ended with what may be considered his anthem in “Hold On”.
Hill has done almost everything there is to do in the music business. He has written, performed, produced as well as worked with many artists over the years. Above it all Hill has kept a level head. He also is a Grammy and Juno Award winner. When diagnosed with prostate cancer (he since has been declared cancer free) Hill went to write a very personal song called “The Slightest Difference”. It was his way of asking did he do enough to leave a mark in the world. After witnessing this show and listening to his many stories I would say Hill has done quite well and the many artists with whom he worked with would agree.
Set List
You Make Me Want To Be
I Do (Cherish You)
Sixties Child
I Am My Father’s Son
The Human Spark
Love Of My Life
Seduces Me
Can’t We Try
Never Thought That I Could Love
Carmelia
How I Feel
Still A Lot Of You Around Here
As My Mind Goes On
In Your Eyes
The Slightest Difference
Sometimes When We Touch
Encore
Hold On
Special thanks to Phil Pantano from Pantano & Associates LLC for the credentials
