Danny Michel & Emma Lee (Dublin St. Church, Oct 20)

Whether plucking her guitar or pounding it in a percussive-strumming manner Emma Lee’s voice soared above. Her singing is strong right across her impressive range, easily filling the open hall of the Dublin Street Church. Her whistling is nothing to scoff at either, as she proved with a fully-whistled verse – just another element of a diverse show. From beneath her hat she mixed storytelling with lovely and at times revealing songs, including one penned alongside Ms. Jill Barber. An enjoyable set from a performer who comfortably mixed brand new songs into a set book-ended by Never Just a Dream songs That Sinking Feeling and Until We Meet Again.

Danny Michel has a proven fan base, no doubt built up from putting on quirky and fun performances over the years. This show was no different as Danny played, with an emphasis on playfulness, a solo show to a large gathering. Foregoing introduction he took the stage and launched into song with his trusty red electric guitar. His silence didn’t last long though as the atmosphere was kept light with stories, new and old, as well as questions from the audience. He even solicited requests only to jokingly ignore most of them, though he did bend to include his harmonica and I Will Love You For Miles to appease two shout outs. Whether it was recently released songs or back-catalogue tracks, Danny kept things interesting with loops, curious glances, and occasionally unique and unexpected delivery.

Having seen Danny solo recently, and knowing he’d recently been touring with a full band I was slightly disappointed when they weren’t there. Especially for Sunset Sea cuts that really snap on record with their full, upbeat sound that just can’t be duplicated with only a guitar, no matter how many layers of loops are added. That being said, if the band had been there we may not have witnessed as much quirk, or as many new takes on old songs, so it is a trade-off.

All in all the audience seemed pleased, both old fans and new converts alike. A two-song encore was demanded and saw the aforementioned harmonica, as well as an electronic sound-effect solo that was pretty neat. Danny Michel, entertaining as always.

Set List after the Jump
Into the Flame
Maybe You Can Find It In Your Heart
Sweet Things (yes, rock and roll ending, in a church)
This Feeling
Feather, Fur and Fin
Whale of a Tale
Wish Willy
Bank Robber (quick Clash cover)
If God’s On Your Side
White Lightnin’
Who’s Gonna Miss You?
Tennessee Tobacco
Encore
I Will Love You For Miles
Switchman

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Kazoo: Hell's Peninsula

Under the glow of lamps Katie Stelmanis took to the piano to begin what promised to be an excellent evening show. Playing solo she knew her way around the keys, having opted for the grand instead of a keyboard due to theft, though in this church setting it seemed the more appropriate choice anyhow. Tilting her bench back and forth towards the pair of mics (normal and echo) she sang gorgeous songs with her impressive voice that had a Joanna Newsom Ys feel. I'll be sure to watch out for her new incarnation as Private Life in the near future.

More on Katie later with Bruce Peninsula, but first the Flowers of Hell.

A transatlantic orchestral band, numbering 16 at times tonight had half that number holding down various instruments including an upright bass, violin, saw(!) - all bowed - electric guitars, drums, a trumpet, flute, bass, piano and an organ (unfortunately keyboard produced and not the church's organ which has been rumoured and would have been phenomenal). As you can imagine there were times when these folks (7 males, and a female on the upright) made a great deal of noise, with strumming hands moving faster than my eyes could keep up with. However it was the way that they built each piece up from its ethereal beginnings to a crescendo that truly entertained. Primarily instrumental they did include an odd vocoder/spoken word conversation, as well as a cover sung entirely in Czech. Twas a fitting setting to see a band of this style play, and play well.

The three members of Bruce Peninsula took to the stage... wait three members?! But wait, what are those angelic voices floating behind me? From the upper section of the church, the Choir of Bruce sung to the heavens. After scampering to the stage for the next song the four lovely females, bookended by the equally handsome gentlemen broke into Steamroller and we were off. I could tell you about their instruments, and mention how they have a member whose primary responsibility is to shake things, but with this band it is all about the vocals. The way they intermingle their voices, stretching from folk to gospel, is simply extraordinary (oxymoron?). Though the Loudon Wainwright III cover, Swimming Song was awesome, their new track about the 'itty bitty baby' that was essentially a round must have been the highlight for me. Bruce Peninsula have too much fun on stage, dancing, joking, and laughing for the crowd not to be drawn into their joy. And boy was I joyful when the final medley turned into my Mountain Is A Mouth fave, Crabapples as the finale. The crowd around me must have been equally as pleased as it was greeted with a standing ovation. This brought the entire crew back on stage, with the addition of Katie Stelmanis, for an encore which left us all Satisfiiied!

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