Chantal charms Stampede crowd

It rarely gets said. In fact, the exact opposite is usually and quite deservedly voiced.

But last night's Coca-Cola stage programming couldn't have been more perfect.

Winnipeg piano pop performer Chantal Kreviazuk was an inspired choice to wind down the first wild weekend of Stampeding -- and on Family Day to boot.

Apparently, the thousands of people who jam-packed themselves in front of the stage area also thought so as they showed an unbridled amount of goodwill towards the 30-year-old solo entertainer.

Early on, Kreviazuk even commented it was "the cutest crowd I've ever seen in my life," and later said it put her in such a good mood she was going to have to change her set list.

Whether she did or not is irrelevant. There was such a loosy-goosy, unscripted feel to the performer's hour-plus set -- she joked constantly about those standing within view from behind her in what she referred to as the "butt section," and improv-ed her way through a forgotten verse to one of the songs -- that it was impossible not to be charmed by her.

In fact, there's something about Chantal outdoors in Calgary that brings out the best in her and her music -- her last year's folk fest appearance was just as enjoyable.

All of the over-dramatics and faux Tori Amos artiness goes out the window as she pounds out tracks such as Before You and Far Away with a refreshing airiness that lifts her gorgeous voice up into the open sky.

It was all so light, natural and easygoing -- even when the song content may not have been -- that you couldn't help but get caught up in all of that goodwill.

Again, it was the perfect way to wind down weekend No. 1.

By: Mike Ross