February 24^th marked the 10^th time that I have seen Jann Arden live in concert. I've seen her in other cities, with an orchestra, and even outdoor festivals. Yet there is something about seeing her on stage at home at the Jubilee Auditorium that always feels special.

Perhaps it is how she throws local flavour into her between song chats. Much like her autobiography Falling Backwards the familiarity of searching the housewares department of Winners for the other half of a pair of boots, or catching a movie at Westhills cinema resonated with the crowd. It has to be a mix of pride and nerves whenever Arden plays in front of friends, family, and those that feel like she is through her personality and music.

"I've seen at least 46 people I've had sex with, that is what happens when you are in your hometown," she quipped after her opening set of Mr. McLennan, Wonderdrug and Saved. It was then that she noticed the GayCalgary photographer heading up the aisle to loop around to our seats and called him out.

"Where are you going?!" she asked. He paused and tried to mime going to his seat before shrugging and hurrying on his way. "Rude! Holy smokes... he must have been one of the fellas I didn't call back."

The Jann Arden concert experience is as much about her wicked humour as it is her music. The crowd was often howling as she went off on tangents between songs.

"I want to thank the men for coming tonight. I know I am not your cup of tea unless you're gay," she admitted. "I want to thank you because it says 'I love my wife.' You probably woke up this morning and went 'oh fuck? Is it the 23^rd? How long does she play?"

"Are you just getting here because I can start the show again?" she offered to some latecomers, firing off a fast-forward version of her opening songs.

In a recent interview Arden commented on artists that don't play the hits, and she certainly didn't ignore them. One of the pleasures of her live show however is that she shakes things up and changes arrangements. You Are Everything was mashed up with Set Fire To The Rain while a medley of Sleepless, I Would Die For You, Could I Be Your Girl and The Sound Of were reimagined with a country twist. Arden invited openers Keith and Renee to perform Unloved with her. As has been the case on all her tours Arden added in rarities like Ode to a Friend and Waiting in Canada as well as an original cover of Elton John's Rocket Man.

The show is bigger than it was prior to her 2009 Free tour, with a lighting rig and backed up by a larger band including the incredible voice of and string playing of Allison Cornell, iconic guitarist Scott Keith, long time players Darcy Phillips (keyboards/vocals) and Graham Powell (Guitar/vocals) and bassist Michael Lent and drummer Gary Craig. While it has the "big and shiny" covering the concert at its heart remains the same. Songs of heartbreak combined with comedy. Jann Arden remains one of Canada's musical treasures.

Jann Arden continues her Uncovering Canada tour in Red Deer on February 24^th, Medicine Hat on February 25^th and Edmonton February 27^th.

Setlist
Mr. McLennan
Wonderdrug
Saved
Misty Blue
Insensitive

The Devil Won
Ode to a Friend
You Are Everything/Set Fire To The Rain

Sleepless/I Would Die For You/Could I Be Your Girl/The Sound Of
Allison Cornell Solo
Where No One Knows Me
Moon River
Waiting In Canada
Unloved (w/ Keith & Renee)
In My Room
You Don't Own Me
I Can't Make You Stay
Good Mother

Encore
Rocket Man
Is That All There Is