Streetheart draws an enthusiastic Morinville crowd

By Stephen Dafoe

Morinville – The Morinville Community Cultural Centre rocked Saturday night with the final concert in the Art of Conversation concert series. Kenny Shields and Streetheart showed although the flowing locks and skin tight clothing of the late 1970s have been replaced with respectable jackets and slightly receding hairlines the show has not been toned down by the passing of time. Nor has their fan’s enthusiasm for the band or their music.

From their first single – Action – to their biggest hit – a cover of the Rolling Stones’ Under My Thumb – front man Kenny Shields proved he could still hit all the high notes and still strut around the stage keeping his audience in the palm of his hand with every jump and step. Together with band founder and keyboardist Daryl Guthiel, Jeff Neil on guitar, Jake Jacobs on bass and Tim Sutton on drums, Streetheart played all the songs fans remember from their late ‘70s and early ‘80s run as one of Canada’s major rock acts.

Hollywood, Teenage Rage, One More Time, Tin Soldier, What Kind of Love, Snow White and Meanwhile Back in Paris were all greeted by a Morinville audience who left their seats and crowded the dance floor in ever increasing numbers. as the evening went on, a sea of largely middle-aged fans danced and swayed under the impressive light show that bathed over the dance floor.

Opening for Kenny Shields and Streetheart were local favourite, Canyon Rose Outfit. The uniquely-sounding band fronted by Christan Maslyk and accompanied by childhood friend Justin Perkins were short a couple members Saturday night, depriving new comers of the added depth Alex Pelletier brings to the band with his trumpet work. Also missing from Saturday night’s opening set were bass player Matt Harrison who was replaced with Smith Music owner Paul Smith, a bassist who could be found either playing facing the stand in drummer or navigating the edge of the stage in full-out ‘70s rock show style. But despite shortages and substitutions, Canyon Rose brought their full energy to the stage, a high-level performance that has made them one of the best up-and-coming bands in the Capital Region. The band came back to the stage following Streetheart to play another set for those who remained until closing.

But concert goers were not the only ones who had a good time Saturday night. Kenny Shields and Streetheart acknowledged their audience Saturday night on the band’s official Facebook page. “Great show tonight in Morinville AB. First class promoters, production and fantastic fan support. Oh yeah, we were rockin’. Thanks to everyone involved. Our deepest gratitude,” the posting read.

Streetheart’s next scheduled performance is June 30 in Tisdale, Saskatchewan.

PHOTO GALLERY

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Bassist Jake Jacobs and frontman Kenny Shields perform for a Morinville crowd during the Streetheart concert held June 25 at the Morinville Community Cultural Centre. – Stephen Dafoe Photos