An evening with Joel Plaskett
Cats: Uncategorized, music|But there was no Emergency.
Joel Plaskett was on stage Monday night at a new restaurant in town, and I was lucky enough to get a great seat. It was less a concert and more like being invited into his living room for a performance for friends and family. Joel is a hometown boy.
We ate a lovely meal and afterwards Joel and friends came on stage and played for more than two hours. He was joined by his dad, Bill Plaskett who played guitar and sang lovely harmonies, and by singer songwriting friends Anna Egge and Rose Cousins.
Joel sang, talked, laughed and played with his kitchy synthesizer which was deployed more for irony’s sake than anything.
He played material from his newer albums Ashtray Rock and La De Da, introducing each song with a narrative thread which he carried on throughout the evening. Much of the material seemed autobiographical and focused on his time in stormy West Texas and Arizona.
A number of tunes were “just written the other night” and played here for the first time. That was a thrill. He played Fashionable People, a song for which he has been internationally recognized.
His quirky delivery felt real and unscripted. There was a nostalgic, folky feel in the music and lyrics. It was like being invited into the mind and soul of a talented songwriter and performer.
It was particularly fun to be sitting behind the table with his parents. I watched their proud faces and applause and wondered how it must have felt for them to be there, amongst all the applause for their son.
I’ve always liked the music and vibe of Joel Plaskett, but last night I graduated from liking to being a fan.
I highly recommend the restaurant as well.
May 27th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
Joel Plaskett is such a sweetheart. And his music is so much better live, isn’t it? The joy that he has for performing is really evident during a show.
It must have been so warm and homey with his parents there and all. How lucky you were to be able to partake.
May 27th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
BB, you crossed my mind last night. I thought, “this is exactly the sort of thing zombie would like.” And you would have.
May 27th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
I got to see Joel Plaskett for free last summer at Peterborough’s “Festival of Lights” He is great live and it was a beautiful summer evening. Nothing like sitting outside listening to great music on a warm summer night! I haad only heard one or two of his songs before, but I enjoyed his entire performance - not just the singing, but his interaction with the audience. It would be great to see him in a more intimate setting like you did GT.
May 27th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
LOVE LOVE LOVE Joel Plaskett. He is one of my many Rock and Roll boyfriends. He is a great rocker, saw him at the Marquee with sister Jane last month, but an intimate evening like that??? Priceless!
Nanc
May 28th, 2008 at 9:34 am
H nP, yes he has a charism which translates well on stage. he’s funny and engaging - you’d have loved it.
Nanc, I thought of you and Jane and the Marquee evening you had planned. JP is her new boy! And yours
May 28th, 2008 at 10:48 am
Lunenburg is very proud of the Plaskett boy and his family.
May 28th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
That defintely sounds like the perfect venue. I don’t really know a lot of his music, but what I have heard I enjoy. I can see how going to a concert like this would turn you into a fan.
May 28th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
It was an awesome evening with outstanding company (GT REALLY is AMMMAAAAAZZZING!!!). For those interested the bar/restaurant was the new Carleton on Argyll Street in Halifax. Lots of money and thought put into the design and sound system .,.. GREAT SPOT!!!
May 29th, 2008 at 8:27 am
YAM, good reason to be proud too.
Allison, that sort of venue really does give you a bigger piece of the artist. You take home more than you would in a stadium. But that makes sense, I suppose
Tonardo, yup great spot. Thanks
June 2nd, 2008 at 4:43 pm
I like Joel and have his Ashtray Rock cd and a few other tunes. Sounds like a great show and dinner.