Expectations were high for the first Jason Collett's Basement Revue outside of the friendly confines of the Dakota Tavern basement and that may not have worked in the evening's favour. It had been billed as a reunion of all of the best of years past back on the stage at the also charming but much larger Great Hall. The Revue has been known to host some rather big acts through its years which lead to speculation and rumours, some built up by Mr. Collett himself in pre-show interviews, that ramped up the excitement.
The host opened the evening with a solo song that brought the focus to the stage for him to then ramble a little further about the night to come. Eventually he gave way to the duo + one of Snowblink who have been very well represented in Toronto of late. The additional female vocals added a new layer to already beloved songs like Unsurfed Waves from the only recently released Inner Classics.
From here there was another romantically linked musical pair in Andrew Whiteman and his bride, Ariele Engle who reinterpret poet Alice Notley's works into songs... on cigar-box guitars. No, it actually isn't a weird as it sounds, especially since Andrew wields his electric guitar (upon which he always slays). Actually it worked really well and was a thoroughly enjoyable set - enough to prompt listening to the EP that is currently out and whet the appetite for the full-length due this year.
Following this was the first downfall of the larger venue where despite Jason's pleading to keep quiet, pay attention and stay off your cell phones the attention was not all there for poet Marie Soliel(?). Her poetry wasn't bad either but it was hard to be entranced by it with all of the distractions.
Hayden fared much better as the notorious recluse was the one true surprise of the night and commanded the attention of the crowd. With a full five-piece band including Lou Canon, and Howie Beck on the drums, they played a couple new songs from his forthcoming album as well as an older Hayden song. This was actually the first time that I've ever witnessed Hayden live and realize just why his shows sell out in a snap. (Anyone have an extra ticket for his upcoming 3-nights in Toronto??) A great lyricist, a natural showman without being showy and a distinctly Hayden voice.
The next poet, Jeramy Dodds, was able to hold the crowd better as his poetry was more obvious and quite hilarious in fact. Finishing with a tongue-in-cheek ode to Canada people were hanging on his words and laughing right along which brought a whole new dynamic to the show.
In keeping with the literary aspect radio host and rapper, Buck 65 regaled us with an excerpt from a story that didn't seem all too believable but was told with the ease of a man who speaks and tells stories for a living - which goes a long way.
Following was another BSS member - the ringleader, Kevin Drew. He led his band, including Charles Spearin (also BSS) on guitar, through a full rendition of a brand new song called Good Sex and then Kevin Drew's ego launched right back into the exact same song again. It was decent but there's no need to repeat a song, especially when that is all you play.
The Kevin Drew spectacle remained on stage as Chris Murphy (Sloan) performed his party trick - to sing a string of back-to-back-to-back one-liners from songs of yesteryear as heard on some informercial. It was hilarious and entertaining and he didn't falter throughout the 45 second spiel. This morphed right into the introduction of Andy Kim, the co-author of the song Sugar Sugar, and off we went into an Andy Kim led singalong of that old, old tune. It was kinda marvelous!
Next up was a rousing response to the appearance of Michael Ondaatje. Perhaps it was my ignorance to his works but the excerpt he read from his book somehow kept the audience rapt while I couldn't find anything within it to engage me - and it hardly stood on its own. The definite low point in the night for me (though apparently not for the majority in attendance). Fortunately it was all up from here!
As anticipated Leslie Feist finally was spotted on stage, having been mostly lurking out of sight, unlike many of the other performers who were previously spied watching from upstairs. In an interesting programming node Feist was flanked by Snowblink to her right and Aroara to her left, with Charles Spearin holding a bass guitar. It was great to see both these bands performing again after their abbreviated sets earlier and as they played together on a a few (rehearsed) songs from each of their catalogues it proved that this was a mash-up to die for. All three female vocals melded in dream team harmonies. Feist's The Bad in Each Other was a particularly strong inclusion though Snowblink's Pray For Surf would have to be tops for me - otherworldly. In closing they performed Aroara's Number 4 and it was stunning as well though as pretty well all of the performers from the entire night came back out on stage they didn't know what to do and couldn't exactly join in so when the song ended the show came to an awkward, abrupt stop. With all of that talent standing around there was an expectation that magic would transpire... but nothing did, and so after a delay we accepted our fortune and filed out not sure how to feel.
Looking back on the performers it can be said that it was indeed a very strong line-up and an enjoyable evening however the way the expectations were toyed with there is a lingering feeling of a missed opportunity - not quite disappointment but not 100% satisfaction either.
Maybe next year?
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