Return of the Jadea

The Massey Hall Presents series profile promising artists. I dropped by The Rivoli on Thursday night to see pop singer Jadea Kelly. First up was Franco-Ontarian singer Melanie Brulée. Accompanied by a lead guitarist, she played a set that was a bit cabaret and a bit pop (Wonder, Candy Shop). She got cheers for a mash-up Toxic (Britney Spears)/Je ne regrette rien (Edith Piaf) as sung by the latter with an exaggerated French accent and those famous rolled "rrrr"s. I found her verses and rhymes a bit too on the nose/typical to stand out. She was better in French (Obtus, Small Town & The Prey) so it will be interesting to hear her upcoming French album Débridée.

Jadea Kelly took to the stage in a flowy dress and a white feather necklace. Her full band included Tom Juhas (Case Of The Mondays) so there should be some eerie guitar whammies and slide action. She played mostly from her recent album (Wild West Rain, Powell River, Clover): folk-pop songs that were usually languid and layered. Lyrically, her songs also suffered a bit from well-trodden rhymes but had better phrasing and rhythm. There were numerous dedications including a cover of Heaven Is A Place On Earth. Kelly had a natural charm onstage and made perhaps the best merch pitch ever. She had cut up her fingers today making stain-glass ornaments. So she jokingly pointed out that the audience won't find another artist that has merch covered with their own "blood and tears". For her encore, Kelly debuted a new song Mariah which was "her Jolene". The devastating words may shed light on her earlier oblique reference about making 50 demos this year and having an "angry" summer.