Darius Rucker Has A Good Ole’ Time In Laval, Quebec [Photos]

Music may, in fact, soothe the savage beast. It also does a good job with a fever and a tummy ache. I was perfectly healthy for Darius Rucker’s concert at the Place Bell in Laval this past weekend. The same could not be the same for the first time that I heard his wonderful voice.

If we can turn the calendar back a few pages, I got my first listen back on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve. The clock had struck midnight, and 1995 had officially begun. I had been invited to a friend’s party, but wasn’t feeling well.

Staying home instead, I missed the ball drop that year as I passed out on the couch. I was awoken to the sound of a group called Hootie & The Blowfish, which featured Darius Rucker on lead vocals.

In the years since, Hootie has made some appearances here and there, but Darius Rucker has continued his career as a country music artist. I was looking forward to Darius’ show in Laval from the moment it was announced. I never got to see Hootie & The Blowfish perform live, so I was really looking forward to finally hearing the voice that soothed my sickened soul.

Opening the show was Kashus Culpepper. He had been to Montreal earlier this year as part of the Lasso Country Music Festival. Getting a rave review, Kashus’ performance had been a highlight. I was looking forward to this one. We received a tasty preview of his debut album, Act I, which will be released early next year. His soulful voice filled the Place Bell from the opening notes of “Believe” and held our attention. He didn’t move around much, but he more than lived up to the expectations.

While our first performer showcased country music’s soulful side, our second performer, Tyler Braden, is more from the outlaw side of the tracks. Released earlier this year, Tyler’s first full-length, Devil And A Prayer, has gotten great reviews. He opened his set with “More Than A Prayer” and had the crowd rocking right away. What followed was a series of country rockers with some tasty cover songs thrown in along the way. “Gods Guns & Roses” got a good cheer, and it’s impossible to do anything other than get rowdy when one plays “The Devil Went Down To Georgia.”

Which brings us right back to Darius Rucker. All smiles, he hit the stage and broke right into “Forever Road.” Working all sides of the stage, Rucker made sure that everyone who came out to see him got a good look. His warm voice and southern accent were just as soothing as they were 30 years ago. “For The First Time” had the crowd with their hands in the air. The fans were clapping and swaying to and fro to the beat.

A couple more originals got everyone in a party mood before “Only Wanna Be With You.” A couple more Hootie & The Blowfish hits also made the set list. They, along with some other tasty covers, rounded out what was a wonderful show.

This leg of Darius Rucker’s Canadian tour has come to an end, but he will be back out on the road soon.