The Corona Theatre was full when Allan Rayman took the stage. I spoke to him after the show and told him he did a great job. Allan Rayman was perfectly matched with James to warm up the crowd. He received a warm welcome in Montreal, close to his hometown of Toronto. Allan & I shared a similar musical influence with Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin and the bands of an era long ago. I remember first hearing these bands on my uncle’s tape deck and it unlocked a new world to my young mind.
You can tell in his voice that his sound comes from a deep musical history, but mixed with a modern vibe that ties these periods together.
The Corona was packed with a respectful crowd when James Vincent McMorrow took the stage as “Sunshine” by Mic Terror (feat. Drea Smith & Sulaiman) played. Beams of yellow rays draped the audience for his entrance. James kicked it off with “Red Dust” off the Post Tropical album. The last show James did was at the Metropolis during the Jazz Festival. It was the first time I had heard him and while I’m not a big fan of the falsetto voice in general, there was something about the songs that moved me. It was clear tonight that Montreal also felt moved by James. Throughout the night, James mentioned how nervous he was about this show because it was a long tour and his voice might not be hitting the notes he so wished he could. I don’t think the Montreal crowd noticed or even cared, judging by the warm reception they gave him during the performance.
After a few songs with the band, James went solo for “Lost Angles”. The song ended and the crowd held the applause for so long, it could have been a song in itself! Feeling the love, James broke into “Higher Love” and the crowd sang along, an average of 2:1 females for every male.
Before playing “Gold”, James mentioned that this part of the show was what he calls the dance session. Before starting the song, he called out our waiter for the evening, whom he thought had the skills of a Ninja and was doing the Lord’s work of serving beverages to the crowd.
One of my personal favorites was “We Don’t Eat” which James keeps the meaning a mystery. For James, writing is an exploration into the unknown and he is not looking for a definite meaning. Songs can mean different things to different people and to James, it’s the interpretation that is magical because it becomes personal.
Throughout the night, James talked about his worries over his voice and the legendary show at Club Soda 2 years ago. While this same Club Soda show was mentioned during his performance at the Metropolis, I believe this show will take its place as EPIC.
James hit some incredible notes tonight. We might not have noticed if he failed to sing to his full potential, but the crowd soaked it all in and gave back their appreciation with the same intensity it was delivered to them.
After “Surreal”, the band left the stage and the crowd wanted more. The stomping of the feet and cheering brought them back for two more songs including “If I Had a Boat.” Again, the applause was deafening and James mentioned: “I don’t know what I did to deserve this. I’m not going to forget this show ever!” Now while I know bands will often say “This is the best show ever” or “This is the best crowd ever”, James was sincere when he said this and for two of his bandmates, it was their first time exposed to Montreal crowds. It will surely be a memorable night for them as it was for the audience that shared this special night.
The evening ended with “Cavalier” and love was shared back and forth between the band and the audience as they finally departed to their sold out show in Toronto.
If you attended this incredible show, it will probably go down in history as the best James Vincent McMorrow show to date. Montreal can sure elicit passion and applause like no other. If you didn’t attend, my words cannot fully convey the atmosphere you missed. Get tickets to the next show, I know I will and maybe Montreal can outdo itself one more time.
Set List
Red Dust
I Lie Awake Every Night
Last Story
Get Low
Breaking Hearts
Down the Burning Ropes
Lost Angles
Higher Love (Steve Winwood cover)
Hear the Noise That Moves So Soft and Low
Gold
Killer Whales
1000 x
Rising Water
Evil
We Don’t Eat
Surreal
Encore
If I Had a Boat
Cavalier
Review & Photos – Randal Wark is a Professional Speaker and Business coach with a passion for live music. You can follow him on Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.
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