Joel Plaskett Emergency (Metro Hall Square, June 10, 2011)

Joel Plaskett may be the most prolific contemporary Canadian songwriter we have (no knock to John K., but Joel's volume speaks volumes) but he's best with the standup musicianship of his regular backing band at his flanks. Yes, there's something to be said for the Emergency. That teal guitar looks the size of a ukelele in Joel's lanky arms but sounds just fine, especially when offset by a splendid harmonica solo from Mr. Peter Elkas who was holding down keyboard and guitar duties as well through the night. Friday night at Metro Hall Square Joel proved himself again with over an hour set amidst Toronto's scrapers. Drawing from across the breadth of his catalog there was everything from Deny and Through from the ambitious Three, to throwbacks of Extraordinary and Come on Teacher off Truthfully, Truthfully. Even a selection from Ashtray Rock (Snowed In/Cruisin' into the excellent Face of the Earth) and an unreleased song that opened the two-song encore. Also included was a doublet interlude of just Joel, giving his bandmates a breather, and he was no slouch on his own either with a phenomenal rendition of the simply poignant You Came Along. With a comfortable stage presence and more than a couple mentions of the Luminato Festival that this show was kicking off in the fair city of Toronto, the large crowd amassed (despite the Stanley Cup Finals to compete with) was treated to a real show.