Live Review: kd lang, The Grigoryan Brothers

While grabbing a wine in The Plenary's foyer, we notice with great amusement that a surprising number of people can't pronounce Ingenue (the title of kd lang's double platinum-selling, Grammy Award-winning album whose silver anniversary we celebrate through this Ingenue Redux tour) with ease.

As we enter the vast expanse of The Plenary and find our seats, classical guitarists The Grigoryan Brothers hold the audience captive with their sibling synergy. Slava and Leonard Grigoryan regard each other appreciatively as certain sounds blend and soar, seemingly even impressing the performers in this setting. They truly play like one man with four arms and when the brothers both drum on the bodies of their guitars, this rapidfire action make their fingers blur and we're left in awe. Their velvet blazers, one black and the other in a navy blue hue, are a classy touch for this world-class act. If a guitar were to actually weep, it would definitely be in the hands of a Grigoryan brother.

We decide that if kd lang were an adult beverage she would be a fine vintage Shiraz. The Canadian singer appears on stage barefoot and wearing a dapper suit to rapturous applause and much whooping. Immediately, we admire her vocal control and the way lang sings multiple phrases on a single breath before capping it all off with the most subtle vibrato. Lang performs Ingenue, from go to whoa, with zero banter in between tracks. She flawlessly demonstrates perfect pitch. Her band is absolutely swoonworthy, particularly backing vocalists Tahirah Memory (about whom lang later acknowledges that we're all probably sitting here thinking, 'Is that her real name? Were her parents jokers?') and Moorea Masa. The pair's harmonies morph into lang's trademark tone as if they all share DNA, always effortlessly enhancing her lead. Miss Chatelaine is joyous and upbeat, lang jiving along to the music like it's playing directly through her veins. As the casual strumming of Constant Craving's intro is recognised by audience members, we all sink deeper in our seats, blissfully anticipating the possibility that we may melt into a puddle on the floor. There's such longing in lang's timbre and her vocal choices make this song's live delivery matchless - we would be satisfied listening to this song on a loop for eternity. Lang compliments us for allowing her to perform the album's entire ten tracks uninterrupted. It's probably because her talent renders us speechless.

Once lang does bring the banter, she's certainly no stranger to innuendo. "It makes me feel good when people cheer when I strap it on," she teases while donning her guitar. "Whether it's in your shower or your cubicle at work, Sing It Loud," lang instructs after performing this wonderfully sultry song. Singing Neil Young's Helpless, lang brings appropriate gravitas and desperation. Pianist Daniel Clarke excels here, underscoring the magnificent nature of Young's masterpiece. While introducing her incomparable backing players, lang tells us bassist David Piltch has played on virtually all of her albums. She then calls exceptional guitarist Grecco Buratto "my little Yogi Bear" and we'd love to hear him playing alongside Grigoryan Brothers.

And then the seemingly impossible occurs. Lang's beautifully broken, husky Hallelujah accompanied just by bass and piano, supersedes Jeff Buckley's in our estimation. There's a spontaneous standing ovation. The majesty of lang's instrument can't be captured on record. For full appreciation, you simply must experience lang live.