B l u e P a r a d e - A S a r a h S l e a n F a n s i t e
|
By Lilvi Sandy Special to the Ryersonian
Had he not mentioned it, the audience would have barely noticed that Ron Sexsmith's voice was being undermined by a cold. A high not erarely quieted his crystal clear pitch, and opening act Sarah Slean's soaring vocals more than compensated for the setback.
'She's a very hard act to follow because she's very theatrical," Sexsmith said at their concert at Danforth's Music Hall last Thursday. "And I only have one facial expression."
Aside from the optimistic air of their melodies, their approaches are entirely different. Sexsmith's stoic nature adds to his heartfelt songwriting, and the audience responded with similarly reserved gasps of appreciation at each hint of a familiar song.
Sexsmith did a variety of songs from his last three albums. Whatever It Takes, a song from his most recent album Retriever, has received considerable radio play since he's been on tour.
"He's got a great ability to encapsulate a thought," Sexsmith fan Nigel Barnes said.
But despite his success, the modest Sexsmith said he was amazed and encouraged by the size of the crowd. The venue was packed with fans anywhere from 20 to 60-years-old.
Slean and Sexsmith have been on the road since May, Toronto's gig was one of their last. For Slean, the increased recognition is giving her more confidence to let loose on stage.
"The older I get, the less I care," she said.
Slean was as effervescenet with her fans at intermission as she was with her piano. She came out to sign autographs behind the merchandise counter. She added that nicer venues and bigger shows are a cause of her animated stage presence.
There's a childlike innocence about Slean that disappears once her fingers touch the piano. Her bare feet pounded the ground beneath her as her voice soared above a bass, guitar and drum backup.
The black crinoline skirt with fuschia trim she was wearing complimented her feminine lyrics. But her persona was hardly as delicate.
Rich cries of varying emotion pierced the room as she sailed up and down octaves, speaking of love, desires and experiences. Slean sang songs from her latest album ***Day One***.
"She tends to convert people," said fan Neal Jennings. He claims that even if people come to see the headlining act, they're in awe at the end of her performance.
Jennings, 21, bought his ticket for the show at a pre-sale and was sitting in the front row. He'd just seen Slean play in London, Ont. and is such an avid supporter that Slean has come to recognize him.
"She knows me to see me now," he says. "It's kinda of embarrassing."
Jennings was sitting beside Jarita Lee, a Ryerson Information Technology student who recognized him from Slean's message board. They immediately became friends.
Slean is currently working on a musical that will incorporate some of the music on her latest album. A book of her art and poetry was also for sale at the concert.
Though he might have needed some Neo Citran, Sexsmith's mellow ballads were just what the audience needed after Slean's rapturous performance.
|