Simply Sarah

Mom and I hit Toronto to see Sarah McLachlan on Friday night...what a treat! It's an outdoor facility (always a gamble for seeing concerts in these parts.) It was gorgeous! Or first official day of summer and they weather held true. The bonus was the occasional plane seen/ heard in the background. (Island Airport is right there) Planes, stars and Sarah with the Toronto Philharmonic Orchestra. It was truly a gift at a time when I really needed it. The music floated around us as day slipped into night, the crowd alternating between a quiet hush and thunderous applause.

The review in the newspaper the following day mentioned that they didn't feel that Sarah made enough use of the orchestra in the first half of the show (Mom and I did notice them sitting on stage with nothing to do) but I think Sarah was trying to get her bearings on stage. It's her first tour since the split from her bass playing husband (a split that re-defined her band) and I think she wanted to make sure that she could still go out there and carry a show on her own. The verdict is in---she absolutely can. Such a clear/melodic voice....simply beautiful. She pulls you in, and somehow never lets go. Don't let her diminutive stature fool you, little body, big voice, as she quietly takes control of the performance. It's clear that each number is carefully selected to fit into the context of the show. It was also clear that she was emotional, nervous, and humbled all rolled into one.

It was hard to miss her shining excitement as she took centre stage. She may not get to do it as often anymore (two small children will do that to you) but she really did seem to revel in it with a quiet intensity that I envied. It's a true gift to watch someone spread their wings and figure out that they can still fly, even if life tried to clip their wings. It was a night to remember if for that reason alone.

Well done, Sarah. "I will remember you..."