Halifax based songwriter Ben Caplan entertained a sold out show at the Geomatic Attic, March 21 with an eclectic set of music of Tom Waits inspired tunes ranging from jazz to folk to more theatrical musical songs.
Caplan, looking and sounding like a crazed street preacher, leaped and howled on the stage jumping between guitar, banjo, multi-instrumentalist Taryn Kawaja’s melodica and keyboards.
Taryn Kawaja alternated between playing melodica, keyboards, flute and singing background vocals and stepped off the stage to let Caplan take centre stage for a couple of numbers then returned to share keyboard duties with him.
All the while upright bassist Anna Ruddick grooved on her instrument while new drummer Jamie Kronick showed some impressively tasteful drum chops.
Caplan was adept on all instruments, but his massive personality , crazy eyes and massive beard captivated the crowd. Caplan and Kawaja’s multi-instrumental prowess were as impressive as the ease from which they switched genres from jazz to gospel to bluegrass.
Caplan’s banjo playing drew a lot of applause as did numerous individual solos.
He didn’t say a lot in between songs other than to greet the crowd and introduce a couple of new, Devil themed songs he played on piano “that are from a play we’re working on.”
He was amazingly entertaining.
Unfortunately I missed the Junkman’s Quire’s opening set.
