HAYDEN at Caplanskys, Tuesday, March 24. Rating: NNNN
Those who squished into Caplanskys deli Tuesday night to see Hayden were lucky in more ways than one: not only did they get into an exclusive, super-intimate gig and on the very day his new album, Hey Love, dropped but the folk rocker woke up with the flu the next morning, causing him to cancel his other two diner shows.
Additionally, Hayden brought along a three-piece band that included local star players Taylor Knox, J.J. Ipsen and Jay McCarrol, who dynamically and sometimes dramatically brought to life songs that spanned his career. The set list was chosen by audience members from a song menu given to us as we walked in. (Publicists are so ingenious these days.) Things started mellow and quickly built up to rock levels by fifth song The Hazards Of Sitting Beneath Palm Trees from 1998s The Closer I Get.
Between tunes, it took Hayden some time to put on his glasses and peruse the suggested selections, which occasionally halted the momentum. But it also left room for lighthearted banter between the band members, self-deprecating quips from the man of the hour and audience interaction. When he completely lost his way during a solo acoustic version of the heartbreaking I Should Have Been Watching You, fans jumped in to Google the lyrics for him.
As the shadows reach for the bar / The place turns yellowish-like, someone called out. Oh my god, thats beautiful, Hayden said, to huge laughter and applause.
carlag@nowtoronto.com | @carlagillis
