Once again I am astounded by the depth of musical talent and number of great bands on the Toronto alt music scene. Rae Billings and her band of merry men including Cleave Anderson on drums, Derrick Brady on bass and Steamboat Steve Koch on electric guitar, played a really great hour or so at the Dakota the other night. Since 3/4 of the John Borra Band was on stage, I had to wonder where John Borra himself was but I soon discovered him working at the soundboard. He is a man of many hats - three at least, that I'm sure of. 
Rae's sweet alt country vocals were backed up by Peter Lambert and Matt Horner covered keyboards.
Nearly all selections were from the new CD Blue Black night which I quickly decided I had to buy halfway into the second song also called Blue Black Night. There was an excellent cover of Dylan's Everything is Broken which reminded me somehow of Luke Doucet and after reviewing the lyrics I can't help but feel that it would also be a good one for him to cover given the general theme and title of his CD Broken (and other rogue states). He has to be familiar with that one.
Near the end of the set, Rae announced that they would play another little country and western song and when they got to the chorus I was sort of dumbflumoxed to realize that they were covering Depeche Mode's Your Own Personal Jesus. Who knew Depeche Mode could go country? 
I never would have suspected it in a million years - but I thought it worked.
Poignant lyrics, great vocals and an excellent back up band really mark this act for me as one that firmly stakes its roots in the alt country quality realm of performers like Oh Susanna, Justin Rutledge and Lori Yates..
It was a great show and if you weren't lucky enough to catch this one, Rae will be playing another show in Hamilton on June 1. I will come back with the details on that one.
There was a second show featuring a first set with Chris Brown and Tony Scherr on keyboards and bass respectively (and a second set featuring Tony on electric guitar with a band), which was also simply fantastic although I would place them more to the rock/blues end of the alt spectrum. What a great show end to end. It was purest luck to see and hear so many gifted musicians all on one night.
"Over straight and crooked miles
Falling out of favour or embraced
Wondering where was love...
It hadn't happened yet"
~Ron Sexsmith~
Nearest to all things
Patiently waiting
So let the angels sing
Silently weeping