Tell and Penner

Friday night, I headed over to Adelaide Hall to see Fred Penner. Almost exactly 5 years ago, I saw this children's entertainer at The Garrison at one of the best live shows I've been to. Since then, Penner has been playing to grown-ups now and then including at this years Canadian Music Week, but I have been missing out on these shows.

Unfortunately, tonight didn't reach the same heights, but not because of the performer. The promoter scheduled this show in Club Land so there was a much smaller crowd. Those that showed up were drunker and more boorish, though eventually the love for Penner won through. What a shame since tonight Penner had quite a good backing band with a lot of technical chops, even some rocking solos. A good chunk of his set was devoted to his new album Hear The Music. There was also a lot of classics including Sandwiches and The Cat Came Back. Penner even did an impromptu request when someone shouted for Goblins. And though it might have been an adult show in a licensed venue, Penner's stage banter was as warm and positive as if he sang in front of little kids. It was hard to decide which was larger and more grand, his voice or his beard.