: : : March 15, 2002 : : : 7:25 PM : : :

*sigh*

Last night was the Rufus show. I ended up going alone because: a) Roomie hadn't come home by the time I left, and b) K couldn't afford to go. Oh well, so off I went to the legendary Commodore Ballroom. Legendary! (emphasis explained later)

I managed to get there about 15 minutes before the show was supposed to start. Of course it did not. There was a sizeable crowd by the stage already so I sauntered over and stood somewhat near boy-who-looks-like-Andrew-Scott. Right down to the scarf. I looked at him often - amazed at the similarities. If his blond highlights were grey... (Fortunately Rufus' piano was shiny so I didn't have to stare at him in an obvious manner).

While waiting, the venue was playing Young and Sexy (who will be opening for the New Pornographers two days before my b-day. Woo!).

The ever lovely Martha opened the show. She was amazing. This was the first time I saw her on her own. Wow...her vocal range was spectacular and her singing was just beautiful. Near the beginning of her set, she mentioned that she made the mistake of walking from the hotel to the venue. She then asked if this was a dangerous area. We all replied, "No." "I could have made some money on the way to the show." Part of her ensemble included a short skirt, thigh-highs and heels, so she could have made some good dough. Anyway, Rufus even came during one song to help out. She has some great lyrics, that girl.

After her set, I really wanted to buy a CD, but feared losing my excellent spot. So I waited where I was and occassionally looked at that boy. I would have remarked on his look, but he was with too many of his friends.

I figured Martha was so good that Rufus couldn't be better than her last night. Wrong. I seriously believe that this was one of - if not the - best concert I had ever gone to. Phenominal.

The starting of his set began with a regal-sounding piece of classical music. I pictured some sort of royalty walking down a red-carpeted isle. Soon into it, the band and Martha came on with Rufus to come last.

Rufus, as usual, had some great banter between the songs.

Referring to the venue: "I've never heard of this place." Pauses. "It's cute. It looks like it used to be a dance hall." Legendary!

"I'm going to be reliving parts of the tour, so I'll be ignoring you. You can boo or yell."

"This next song requires a prop. Does anyone have a cigarette?" Looks at the front row. "Maybe I should ask the underaged people here." Rufus then proceeded to tell us about a show where he thought there was an underage girl at the show. He then realized that the girl was really a boy. He then said that he needed to get all those thoughts out of his head. A 14-year-old boy.

"Did he bring the chocolate milk?" a girl asked.

While lighting his cigarette, "No, but I brought him the whiskey." The crowd chuckled.

The set was full of both new songs and old favourites. Normally I sing along at concerts, but last night I just couldn't. I had to take it all in. I think I was starry-eyed the whole night. That two plus hours was magical.

Especially when: "I'm going to sing a song written by a fellow Canadian." Rufus mentioned that he was a really great songwriter. For some reason, at that moment I thought of Ron Sexsmith. I don't know why. Rufus then said Leonard Cohen. Really, I should have slapped myself upside my head. But I didn't. But I did gasp once I heard the first few notes: "Hallelujah." My most favourite Cohen song. If I only had something to record the show. It would have been great to put on my cover tunes mix tape. Oh well. He also covered "All Across the Universe," or whatever the name of that Beatles song is.

We were even blessed with two encores.

Le sigh.

=)

PS Oh yeah, Rufus was wearing a pink shirt, periwinkle cords (the thin kind), black boots and a silk scarf around his neck.