It's likely that anthropologists will one day look back on Halifax's son and label him the missing link that could have proven that the meek shall inherit the Earth.
Though he'll likely never be the Canadian icon his talent would suggest is possible, it's comforting to know that Joel Plaskett can at least sell out back to back shows at Toronto's Opera House.
Wafer thin and sporting a now-trademark sweater-vest, the former Thrush Hermit member had swooning teenage girls cooing at the stage front for his all-ages first night in the Big Smoke. His band The Emergency in tow (sporting opener Peter Elkas on keys), Plaskett is on the road displaying his latest addition to the canon of Can-Rock classics, Ashtray Rock. (You haven't got the disc yet? Where do you live... Napanee?).
Though he was only one of four men on stage, the night clearly belonged to Plaskett, his goofy haircut, mid-song jabbering and uncompromising showmanship. His voice album-perfect, music often reaching rapturous heights, Plaskett and his Emergency took the crowd on a wild ride through nearly all of Ashtray Rock's tracks, stopping in between to resurrect favourites from The Emergency's earlier days as well as from his two solo discs.
Plaskett was a man out to prove that he can be both of the extremes that he's played throughout his career - stopping mid show for three lone acoustic tunes - and eventually ending the night's set with a ten-minute long Velvet Underground-ish freak out that had the crowd standing on tiptoes awaiting its crashing finale.
It's hard to imagine the Nova Scotian troubadour putting on a better show.
(5/5)
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