Neko Case Shows Off Some Perfect Pipes

Toronto's favourite adopted daughter, Neko Case, rolled into a packed Music Hall to perform songs from her newly released tour de force, Fox Confessor Brings The Flood. The experience was slightly less than amazing, if only because seeing Case at the Rivoli in January was so powerful. Also, the absence of back-up singer Rachel Flotard, who helped turn that set into a stand-up comedy act, was disappointing. But these were minor quibbles.

The majority of the Sunday night crowd at the Music Hall hadn't made it into that showcase and almost all of those in attendance hung off of every note that came out of Case's perfect pipes.

This show also featured a longer set that delved further into Case's back catalogue. But the real highlights were the Fox Confessor songs. "Star Witness," "Hold On, Hold On," "That Teenage Feeling" and the title track all made tremendous use of the Music Hall's excellent acoustics.

The best part of the show, however, was the encore. After performing "Wayfaring Stranger" and "Look For Me (I'll Be Around)" with just steel pedal guitarist Jon Rauhouse and stand-up bassist Tom V. Ray, the full band returned and let loose for "John Saw That Number" to end the evening on a very high note.