Review by SueW:
This was Kasim’s first ever solo gig in Canada and was one that I was especially looking forward to and he didn’t disappoint at all - in fact he surpassed all my expectations!

We were told that the show started at 8.00pm (with one opening act) and Kasim was due on stage at 8.45pm. Unfortunately when we got there it turned out that there were 3 acts before Kasim and he wasn’t due on stage until 10.30pm! After talking to others at the gig later, I know we weren’t the only ones who were miffed that it wasn’t known in advance as 2 hours to hang around is annoying (not that it was Kasim that we were blaming but just the general lack of info that was announced about this gig). Thankfully we found a nice bar nearby and returned at about 10.00pm and were greeted with the sight of Kasim chatting to people outside the venue. The act just before Kasim (Jeen O’Brien) was just finishing as we entered and I was impressed to see that she stayed to watch Kasim’s set.

I think Kasim walked on stage slightly earlier than 10.30pm but thankfully everyone who was there to see his set were in their seats. Unfortunately some people who were there to see the previous acts were still there chatting which was distracting to me at the beginning of Kasim’s set. Another distraction was the occasional sound from the band who were playing in the venue downstairs! It reminded me of Toad’s Place that Kasim played in New Haven last year as there was a heavy metal band there too. Kasim described it succulently tonight as heaven up here and hell downstairs! Thankfully for most of Kasim’s set we couldn’t hear the other band but there was one part in one song that made me laugh as Kasim had just sung a line about a shake (I can’t remember which song!) when our table shook due to the vibration from downstairs.

This venue was about the size of The Beachland Ballroom in Cleveland where he played last Wednesday but the bar was at the back of the room and there were tables here but less chairs. As there was a lot of space around the seated area, I actually walked around the outside during Kasim’s set to take photos from his other side too tonight.

Kasim’s first four songs were the same as he played in Cleveland (Sacrifice, Somebody Loves You, Libertine and There Goes My Inspiration) but tonight he said afterwards that he was playing them in pain as he’d put something in his hair this morning that was now running into his eyes (it was hot under the lights) and his eyes were really stinging! Kasim then told us about his latest album All Sides (and that it was released partly to celebrate his 30 years in the music business) before singing Yellow Cab from the album.

Sometimes Love Is A Dangerous Thing was next complete with Kasim’s joke in the middle of the song saying "take it fellas" to his imaginary band. Kasim did say tonight though that last week he said that in Cleveland and "there was a fella who took it"! That song received a massive round of applause tonight. After the song Kasim again stressed about how much Tommy Hambridge contributed to the writing of the song and that it was a genuine joint effort. Kasim then spoke really fondly about Todd Rundgren and how much he’s learnt from him before he played Kasim’s own favourite Todd song – Cliché.

After Before She Was Gone, Kasim explained that every so often a song is written that he really likes so he learns to play it so that, in part, it can help him write good songs himself. The song he was talking about was Bourgeois Tagg’s I Don’t Mind At All but what Kasim said tonight (that I didn’t know) was that it was a record that Todd produced. Kasim then played his brilliant version of the song.

Kasim then spoke about how he’s been on the road almost constantly since 14th February. That’s 182 days! Plus he won’t get to spend much time at home until after the Todd tour which ends on 22nd September in California (another 38 days)! Kasim said that this is the longest that he’s been touring in one stretch (other than he said that he’s been home for a total of 7 days but not consecutively). Kasim did say that doing his job is far better than digging ditches for example but I can’t imagine being away from home since Valentine’s Day! Although personally (and selfishly) I’m really glad that he does tour for such long stretches! Kasim then told us about his next door neighbour who is only a few weeks different in age to Kasim. Apparently he is a policeman but is already retired whereas Kasim said that there is no pension plan in his line of work and joked that they’ll be wheeling him out on stage in years to come with his oxygen tank on the back of his chair and his guitar strapped to him!

So far through the set Kasim had played his silver (so I was told although it looks green!) guitar but now he switched to a black guitar to play a song that he said that he somehow hadn’t got around to playing at his last few solo shows and that he wanted to play it - his brilliant The One Sure Thing. That is my absolute favourite song ever (I think the words are just so lovely and touching) and Kasim’s performance tonight was just magical!

Next Kasim played his moving version of The Cars’ Drive before he played another track from his latest album All Sides, Are You Happy Now (with an elongated ending tonight!). Kasim then spoke about his song Minutes Slipping Past and the fact that it was just over a year since his friend had died. I think you could have heard a pin drop in the room while Kasim sang that song.

Kasim then changed the mood totally with Utopia’s wonderful One World. It seemed that almost everybody in the room joined in with the clapping in that song and it received a standing ovation from some people!

Sadly then it was the end of a brilliant gig and hopefully it won’t be too long before Kasim plays another solo gig in Toronto and in Canada!

Roll on his solo gig in two weeks in Fort Lauderdale!

Review by Adele Pimentel:
I must begin by saying that I was looking forward to this for months! This was my first ever solo show of Kasim's and I was confident that it would be memorable , but honestly...it was AMAZING! Kasim's voice live was absolutely beautiful. Angels are jealous of his voice!

Set list: Sacarifice, Somebody Loves You, Libertine, There Goes My Inspiration, Yellow Cab, Sometimes Love is a Dangerous Thing, Cliché, Before She Was Gone, I Don't Mind at All, The One Sure Thing, Drive, Are You Happy Now, Minutes Slipping Past and One World.

Unfortunately the show actually started alot later than what was advertised. Kasim came on just after 10:00 pm. He looked VERY SEXY in slim fit blue jeans and a white floral print dress shirt, that he had unbuttoned and light tan suede shoes.

Kasim began the show with a little shtick about how for the next hour and half he was going to read poetry, talk about his youth and his dog and how he was kidding and thus the magical night began. Kasim began with Sacrifice, it sounded just like the CD! I couldn't believe my ears.

The venue was small, and it had a bar at the back so no districations thanfkully of people walking infront you every time they go for a drink. People were already seated when Kasim took the stage. A few of the opening acts, I spotted two out of the three actually joined the audience and were really impressed with Kasmin's voice. It was really nice to see how attentive they were. But unfortnately I couldn't say the same for some other people who were there and wouldn't shut up, their chatter was really distracting. But eventually and thankfully they left. Kasim noticed and in between songs mentioned that he hoped that they didn't leave because of his playing and one of his fans yelled out "it's their loss!" Kasim chuckled and agreed and everyone applauded.

Poor Kasim was having "technical difficulties", he had used a hair product earlier that day and now from the bright lights, he was sweating and it was running into his eyes and stinging. What a trooper though, he didn't falter once.

Kasim sang a beautiful version of Bourgeois Tagg's I Don't Mind at All, he also went on to say how often a song is written that he really likes and so learns how to play it and inturn helps him become a good songwriter himself. Kasim also mentioned that it was a record that Todd Rundgren had produced and Kasim spoke so fondly of Todd and about how much he learnt from him and thus lead us into Kasim's favorite TR song Cliché.

Kasim told us about how much he has been on the road this year and that he has only been home 7 days in total, not even consequtively and about his plans to tour with Todd Rundgren in September in California.

Does the man not miss his own bed? God bless him and give him strength for you can honestly see how much he enjoys singing and playing music. He is truly genuine and a one of a kind human being. Kasim was so thankful and humbled by his fans, he signed CD, hats and took pictures with everyone who asked and never did his smile fade.

I will never forget that performance. It was the night Kasim came into all our hearts and souls with his beautiful voice and wonderful music.

Thanks Kas!

Video clips:
Click here for a short 15 second video of Yellow Cab which shows how wonderful Kasim sounded at this gig.

Click here for a minute long clip by Adele Pimentel of the beginning of Drive.

Click here for photos of this gig by Adele Pimentel.

Pre-show page on KasimInfo.com::
Click here

Kasim Sulton's 2007 Gigs