Illuminating

Sunday night, the Luminato festival had a free concert: 3 hours of Rufus Wainwright. Specifically, a 1 hour Rufus Wainwright songbook interpreted by other singers, and the Canadian debut of his new album Out Of The Game where the singer/songwriter will sing all the tracks as well as some old favourites.

Backed by a band of local musicians, Royal Wood, Alejandro Ribera, Sarah Slean, Liam Titcomb, Andrew Rodriguez, Krystle Warren and Teddy Thompson (both are on Rufus' band and also solo artists) had two turns. The first time round, the mix was underpowered, robbing some of the richness from the songs. Ms Rubera and Ms Warren also took to the Feist-school of slurred syllables. Apparently the way to honour an acclaimed songwriter is to mangle his words to unintelligibility. But Thompson sang a hurting Maker Makes that wowed the crowd.

From then, the second round was much better. Slean sang a soaring Poses and both Ribera (The Art Teacher) and Warren (Baby) finally showcased their talent: deep, rich voices. Everybody came on stage to end the set with April Fools.

Teddy Thompson and the Rufus band

Martha Wainwright

Wainwright came out in the dark and sang an a capella version of Candles, joined in harmony by his band. It was a spine-tingling start and got the crowd cheering. The lights came out, revealing Rufus in an outfit straight from Vegas by way of Texas: wildly decorated jean jacket and pants with a ruffled black top. Over the next 1.5 hours, he sang 11 of the 12 songs from the new album. He also included classics such as The One You Love and Going To A Town. But the most emotionally powerful moments were the stripped down songs: a duet with Martha Wainwright on I Am A Diamond - a tribute to his deceased mother Kate McGarrigle, a trio on One Man Guy - written by his father Loudon Wainwright III, and Dinner At Eight during the encore. He ended the night exhorting the crowd to dance to Bitter Tears.

I have heard of Rufus Wainwright but have never listened to his music. There was a strong undercurrent of cabaret throughout his songs: sad, lyrically dense, often with shifts in keys or melodies. He has a beautiful soaring voice that he used judiciously - no Celine Dion syndrome here. It was a great night of well-written songs.

Alejandro Ribera

Sarah Slean

Set List: Candles, Rashida, Song Of You, Greek Song, April Fools, The One You Love, I Am A Diamond, Respectible Dive, Out Of The Game, Jericho, Sometimes You Need, Perfect Man, One Man Guy, Going To A Town, Welcome To The Ball, Montauk, 14th Street.

Encore: Dinner At Eight, Bitter Tears.