Concert Review: Hamlton's Heart for Haiti Benefit ft. Feist, The Arkells at Hamilton Place Theatre

In the weeks that have followed the deaths of an estimated 200,000 Haitians, there has been an outpouring of generosity and care from points distant. The Hamilton’s Heart for Haiti Benefit concert, held Sunday in The Great Hall at Hamilton Place, organized by Glen Marshall of Vibewrangler recording studios and the Hamilton Spectator, had an entire lineup willing to donate their time and talents. It was a long event that garnered over $40,000 in donations through ticket sales alone. I’ll give you the highlights…

Harlan Pepper
Tom Wilson and Stephen Fearing of Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, took a break four songs into material by Wilson’s new band Lee Harvey Osmond, to introduce Wilson’s son and his band Harlan Pepper. Having garnered much deserved attention recently in the Hamilton scene, the boys charmed the shit out of the audience with their stripped down folk. Their opening song “Great Lakes” took a rhyming journey through the five bodies of water and was finished with a thanks to their creative writing teacher. Playing one more (“Reefer” – a dicey choice for the crowd) before giving the stage back to Wilson, the boys charmed.

Luke Doucet and Melissa McClelland
Luke Doucet and Melissa McClelland were adorable in a “you-make-music-and-then-go-home-and-pay-bills-together” kind of way. Married to McClelland in 2006, Doucet is a terror on guitar. Notes should be frightened of him. At any minute he may strike, and when he does, the kill will be so beautiful that onlookers will simply stare in wonder at the glorious sight. Doucet’s guitar playing had a bird-in-flight feel; at times twittered and agitated, at times gliding and soft, always with a punk-country denouement; a gentle perched landing. McClelland has a sweetness to her, like a less ragged-edged Kathleen Edwards. Her voice is kind and the songs were simple beauties.

Feist (and Friends)
Leslie Feist said she felt helpless sitting at home. “Fortunately, we can sing and raise some money.” The set brought surprises. First, Feist wasn’t the headliner… fair enough given her non-Hamilton lineage. Second, she performed backed by Joel Gibb of The Hidden Cameras on vocals and Toronto artist Bahamas on percussion. Third, the set was opened with Feist and friends providing backup vocals for Bahamas on one of his songs. After settling in, Feist gently flitted through a set drawn from 2007’s The Reminder that included “The Water,” “Sealion Woman,” “The Limit to Your Love,” and “Honey, Honey.” When Feist plays stripped down versions of her songs, you can’t help but have that “oh-my-god-I’m-falling-in-love-with-you-because-you’re-so-god-damn-talented” moment. That girl melts me.

The Arkells
With their album’s dirt-mall namesake sitting across King St. to the north it was fitting that the Arkells be the big name on the end of the night. Many of the 2000 seats (mostly filled by an older crowd) began to empty at this point, vacated as the Arkells began to play the only up-tempo rock of the event. Those of us ready for something louder sang along through “Pullin’ Punches,” “Ballad of Hugo Chavez,” “No Champagne Socialist.” They finished off with a thanks to Feist for ‘opening’ for them before breaking in to “John Lennon” which had there not been another act following, would have ended the benefit event with the line “And my piss barely makes the stall.” Awkward, yes, but the set was great.

The music is all well and good, but you need to do something other than reading this or attending local events. So, go here: http://www.canadaforhaiti.com/Forms/Donate.aspx and donate. After that, please be grateful for all that you have and the safety of those you love should they be so.

Full Event Lineup:

• Rufus Cappadocia http://www.rufusmusic.com/
• Lee Harvey Osmond www.myspace.com/lhosmond
• Harlan Pepper www.myspace.com/harlan
• Tom Wilson http://www.myspace.com/tomwilsonmusic
• Melissa McClelland and Luke Doucet http://www.myspace.com/melissamcclelland and http://www.myspace.com/lukedoucet
• Jacob Moon http://www.myspace.com/jacobmoon
• Lily Frost http://www.myspace.com/lilyfrost
• Feist and Friends http://myspace.com/feist
• Brian Melo http://www.myspace.com/brianmelomusic
• The Arkells www.myspace.com/arkellsmusic
• Bethany and Rufus http://www.bethanyandrufus.com/

- Jay Blackwood

Photo by: Spencer Blackwood

*This show is Show #23 in Jay’s Live Music Project to see one concert a week for a year. Follow Jay’s project at http://livemusicproject.blogspot.com