Yusuf / Cat Stevens

Massey Hall, Toronto, ON

Dec. 1st, 2014

Over the years much has been written about Yusuf, formerly known by the stage name Cat Stevens. He has been maligned by negative and speculative publicity. It matters not what his religious or political beliefs may be. I care not to read what has been written. Converting to Islam, becoming a Muslim, changing his name makes no difference to me. When I think of Yusuf / Cat Stevens only two things come to mind:

1.) Peace

2.) Music

This is why it struck me as odd that the level of security at his concert was beyond anything I've experienced. It was like going through airport security. Putting your belongings in a plastic bin, walking through a metal detection booth, being again scanned by a wand...the only thing missing was having to remove your shoes and being frisked. It was just beyond me why anyone would want to harm Yusuf.  I cannot think of a more peaceful person. 

The line to get in when doors opened at 6pm stretched down several city blocks. With the added security, it took three hours to process each patron attending the sold out show. Although the concert was supposed to start at 8pm, it started closer to 9pm, not because he was making us wait for him but rather he was waiting for all of us so no one would have to miss anything. After all, it had been 38 years since the last time he toured and was in Toronto. This was a monumentus event!

He shared with us an impressive 28-song setlist with a brief intermission midway through. Starting off with "The Wind" instantly had me in tears as it is just so breathtakingly beautiful. He did change up some of his classic songs, either lyrically, rhythmically or melodically. It was either to make it fresh or a creative challenge and perhaps to abide by his faith. In any case, if you closed your eyes you would not know that he had aged at all since he last toured in 1976.

[Setlist] Posted by Yusuf / Cat Stevens

The Peace Train...Late Again tour is in support of his latest album "Tell 'Em I'm Gone". The album consists of some original songs plus some classic cover tunes handpicked and arranged to suit Yusuf's sound and style. The impressive stage set consists of a complete train station with a sign for each respective city on the tour. I marveled at the amount of logistics that must be involved in transporting, setting up and tearing down across the North American tour dates. We were very lucky that the only Canadian date took place in Toronto.

In a recent interview on CBS Sunday Morning, he touches on why he chose smaller venues, why he chose to tour again, his religious conversion and bowing out of the music industry for so long.

[Video] Interview from CBS Sunday Morning

In any case, being with Yusuf in a setting like Massey Hall was like a warm hug from the past with a sprinkling of new ideas and recognizable covers all culminating in a journey through the passage of time and emotions. Here's to hoping the Peace Train will take another voyage in the near future.

Andy Grammer

Toronto Centre for The Arts

Liv, Love & Lyrics charity event Nov. 30th, 2014
for the LivWise Foundation

Do you remember that video that went viral of a young girl fighting cancer yet still singing her heart out? See below:

[Video] Olivia Wise - Roar (Katy Perry cover)

She passed away a couple months afterwards but in her short life, she left such a legacy in her wake. Thus was the precipice for the LivWise Foundation which spawned the first ever Liv, Love & Lyrics charity event in Toronto on Nov. 30th, 2014.

Although it was to be a celebration of Olivia's life and her love of music, it was still a somber affair. It was difficult to cry about her passing after an emotional video about her life and death and then get up and dance like you would at a regular concert. This was no regular concert.

To start off the music portion of the event, there were several young musicians who had tried out and got to open the show. We're talking 14 to 17 year olds that did not seem nervous to perform by themselves at all. It was quite impressive.

The headliner for the charity concert was the lovely, positive, seemingly always upbeat Andy Grammer. It turns out the producer of his latest album, Magazines Or Novels, was actually the same producer of Olivia's "Roar" video. That's how Andy, who also lost a loved one to cancer, found out about the event. 

It was not just an extraordinary event, it was also the first time Andy Grammer had played in Toronto. Hopefully he'll be able to come back soon under different circumstances so we can do more than just vigorously dance in our seats. He was funny and sweet, not to mention an exceptionally talented singer and songwriter. His lyrics are about being human, quirky, flawed and real but always uplifting. At the meet and greet, it was very casual and he was generous with his time. It was not at all assembly line, regimented, or time constrained. 

It's quite possible that the audience members were all there for various reasons. Some were there for the cause. Some were there for Olivia and her family. Others were probably there for the young performers that opened the show or perhaps to see Andy Grammer. Whatever reason that brought us all together, the whole evening was just a lovely experience from start to finish.

[Photo Gallery] Andy Grammer

[Link] LivWiseFoundation

Stevie Wonder - Air Canada Centre

Toronto, ON Nov. 25th,  2014

What can you say about Stevie Wonder that hasn't already been said? He became a recording artist at the age of eleven! Now at the age of sixty-four, he still sounds like he did back in his heyday when Songs In The Key Of Life first came out back in the seventies.

After an astounding career spanning over fifty years, he hasn't lost his stamina, lust for life or sense of humour. This wasn't just a concert, it was a 3+ hour jam session, giving others an opportunity to shine. In particular, a vocal run competition with one of his male back-up singers was especially impressive. He also introduced another of his back-up singers, his first daughter Aisha, who was part of a jam off with two other singers.

Stevie played several instruments, one of which I've never seen before and would be impossible to explain. You would have to see it with your own eyes. Not only did he have a massive band but also a local Toronto mini orchestra on stage with him. Of course who can forget the lovely India Arie escorting and singing with Stevie.

The party went on long after curfew and a satisfied crowd finally filed out of the Air Canada Centre after midnight. I'm sure no one minded having to get up for work the next morning all bleary-eyed and yet happy.

[Photo Gallery] Stevie Wonder concert