Opening your show with a DJ set when you look like you just stepped off of a riverboat in 1942 seems like an odd choice, but when you’re Pokey LaFarge, anything goes.
With his jet-black pompadour that would make Elvis jealous, DJ Faby Baby kicked things off with an obscure set from his crazy collection of old 45s and rare vinyl. Baby-blue antique telephone receiver pressed to his ear, he danced and clapped and got us all grooving to an eclectic mix of soul, funk, jazz, and old-time pop. If you ever crashed a bachelor pad party of a groovy swinger in Hollywood in 1965, you would know exactly what I was talking about.
He really set the tone for what was to come because witnessing the genius of Pokey LaFarge is like time travel.
From his slicked-back hair down to his tasseled loafers, Pokey exuded all the warmth and sincerity of a 40s-style crooner with the musicality and energy of a modern-day rockstar. Opening with “So Long Chicago” from his latest album Rhumba Country was the perfect aperitif to wet our whistles. It was my first time seeing him, but I knew right away that it would be one of those shows where everyone knew all the words to each song and we would all sing along. And for those of us who didn’t, there were plenty of “La La La”s and “Aha”s to enjoy. Pokey had the sweetest grin, which grew larger throughout the night. Except for maybe when he sang “The Devil Ain’t Lazy,” which was one of my favourite moments. I was on the balcony taking photos, and he was quite a spectacle, standing on the edge of the stage yelling out warnings of the devil’s evil doings and then stomping his feet like mad.
“Get It ‘Fore It’s Gone” was another fun one. Pokey talked about how we should love one another more and thanked everyone for being there, and then gave a special thanks to Jesus Christ. I knew he was religious because there was a giant Jesus sticker on his gorgeous cream-coloured Fender, but I was kind of surprised getting a sermon from somebody who wrote a song called “Fuck Me Up” (which he unfortunately did not play). But somehow, it felt all right. He wasn’t preachy, just genuinely happy to be there and wanted us all to share in his joy.
I don’t think I’ve ever been to a show where the band was having more fun than the audience, and the audience was having a hell of a good time.
I brought my son with me as a birthday treat, and we were both so blown away by each musician that I promised him if I ever won the lottery, I would hire the band to play at his wedding.
They even took a request, “Goodbye Barcelona,” that was not on the setlist, after which Pokey humbly confessed that he hadn’t played it in a long time. He treated us to a new song that hasn’t been released yet called “Rent Money,” which was very funky.
He did my favourite, “Fine To Me,” towards the end, which got the whole room dancing. And most of us were not spring chickens. He finished with “Goodnight, Goodbye,” which was fitting but disappointing because I honestly didn’t want the show to end.
My son said it was one of the best shows that he has ever seen, and I agree. Pokey LaFarge is a rare artist who doesn’t simply entertain, he transports you to a time and place where everything is as rosy as the glow on his cheeks. His love and appreciation for performing music is felt through his infectious enthusiasm and attention to detail.
There was a vase with beautifully fresh-cut red roses and bright yellow sunflowers on top of one of the amps. In between songs, Pokey would toss them out into the crowd. “Shouldn’t we be giving him flowers?” my son asked. “I know, that’s exactly what I was thinking,” I replied.
Review & photos – Annette Aghazarian
