Keelaghan is still one of Canada's best
by A. Q. on 2022-09-25National Arts Centre / Centre national des Arts - OttawaA first rate concert with a good mix of old and new songs, and an all-star band. Clear sound too.
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A first rate concert with a good mix of old and new songs, and an all-star band. Clear sound too.
Compadres were great! Energetic upbeat music! Love Oscar Lopez!
James Keelaghan is a terrific singer/songwriter and storyteller, has a powerful baritone voice, and in this case surrounded himself with first-class local musicians, Cara Luft and Hugh MacMillan. The new West End Cultural Centre is now a perfect venue for such an event . . . intimate, great sound, good sightlines. Best part, in a way, is that J. K. in now one of ours here in Winnipeg, and closed the concert with a reference to going home to the Wolseley neighbourhood just minutes south of the WECC.
Keelaghan has an amazing voice, and was ably backed up by 2 friends. His audience interaction and story-telling, both in conversation and song, made the evening even more enjoyable. His story about his deceased friend in Oregon who willed him a 1935 Martin guitar was very touching, and how Kiri's Piano song fit with the story.
Jane Siberry was not part of the show. Rob Heaton was - who mixed that up? And it was a fundraising event for UCF - didn't know that until we got there but we like James Keelaghan so much it didn't matter. It would be nice to know up front that the event supports a charitable cause. Four stars is for James Keelaghan and his guitarist Hugh McMillan.