Normally Ottawa can expect a visit from Brett Kissel at least once a year but Thursday’s visit was the first since Brett had to cancel his spring 2022 visit to TD Place due to vocal issues. There were no vocal issues to be found on Thursday as Brett was back in fine form much to the delight of a sold out Algonquin Commons Theatre, hot on the heels of a JUNO Award nomination.
Ben Chase – Compass Tour – Ottawa photo Tom Mt. Pleasant
PEI native, Ben Chase, kicked things off with a short set. Chase has been growing in popularity in the Maritimes but this was his first venture into Ontario and, based on the crowd’s reaction, it won’t be his last.
Brett, currently in the midst of a massive cross-country trek in support of The Compass Project – a four-part album experience that showcases various themes, and Kissel’s versatility as a musician and songwriter.
He started the show jumping right into “She Drives Me Crazy” his genre bending dance-hall anthem from his Now or Never album. Having toured with artists by the likes of Brad Paisley and Garth Brooks Brett has picked up a few tricks along the way but one of the things that comes naturally is his connection to the fans. Regardless of where he’s performing you can watch him feed off the energy of the crowd and draw from their emotional response. I don’t care if you write your own songs, or even sing your own songs for that matter. If you can connect to the audience like that you’ve got a gift and gifts like that sell tickets.
Brett Kissel – Compass Tour – Ottawa photo Tom Mt. Pleasant
Each show’s set list is expertly crafted and you’d be lucky to find two the same on a tour. Thursday’s show featured Brett’s greatest hits from across the last decade including “We Were That Song”, “3,2,1”, “Raise Your Glass”, and the always inspirational “Tough People Do”. But what BK show would be complete without a medley of other popular country songs. This night it was some of the top female country artists with song selections from Shania Twain, Trisha Yearwood, Reba, Jo Dee Messina, and Deana Carter.
Ben Chase returned to the stage to join Brett for a cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “Cadillac Ranch”, which also appears on Kissel’s South Album.
Three songs closed out the night: “Started with a Song”, the song that quite literally started everything for Brett, “Thank God I’m A Country Boy” and “Anthem”.
Brett will take a short break before he brings the Compass Tour to Eastern Canada with Ontario’s Jade Eagleson starting April 3 in Truro, Nova Scotia.
For tickets for the remaining dates visit https://brettkissel.com/
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