New Brunswick roots artist Mike Biggar’s latest album feels like a highlight of his artistic character. Mike Biggar & Band – Live At The BMO Theatre is a recording of a sold-out concert from November 2018 in his hometown of Saint John. Throughout the album, Biggar gives us snippets of his live personality while flaunting his prowess at performing live.
If it weren’t for the intros and occasional audience interaction, it would be easy to forget you were listening to a live album at all. Biggar’s vocals are polished, but only in the sense that he never steps out of tune. The truth is that his voice has a wild quality to it that helps to pack each song with attitude or emotion – sometimes both, depending what the situation calls for.
His personality shines through this album, both through his actual lyrics and his apparent stage presence. Biggar interacts with the audience with the ease of an old pro, and it’s these interactions that bring an extra layer of life to the album. It makes things feel more personal than a studio recording, especially with a full two-minute anecdote devoted to his mother titled ‘Holler All The Time’. Luckily, the transition from studio to live doesn’t force a loss of quality. Biggar’s talent is proven in his ability to make you forget the album is recorded live.
For the most part, the tracks are songs we’ve heard from Biggar’s discography before, but also from a few others. He performs “Ain’t No Grave” and Bonnie Raitt’s “Love Sneakin” Up On You’ and knocks both renditions out of the park. He also offers two new originals, “All The Same” and “I Just See You.”
Biggar also showcases his emotional range throughout the length of the album. The first few tracks have that classic, gritty blues feel to them. Biggar packs as much soul into these performances as possible. They’re enough to get us into the groove of things before he shifts gears with the emotional powerhouse, “Hero,” and then with the softer “Better Men.” And then there’s the triumphant “Hell or High Water,” which feels inspiring and just plain badass.
Regardless of the mood of the song, there’s no denying that Biggar packs a punch. It just depends on whether that’s a punch to the gut or the heart. Either way, it’s enough to knock you off your feet.