A Jann Arden concert is becoming less a musical event than it is a series of comedy routines broken up by melancholy songs.

 

 The Calgary star had said she didn't think she could fill the Jubilee Auditorium, but she had no trouble last night. A crowd of nearly 2,700 fans was moved to tears as much by her songs as by her razor-sharp wit. I don't want to say she's missed her calling, but if Arden ever decided to give up singing, she'd be a great comedian. She's as funny - if not funnier - than any of those wisecracking suits on the Just for Laughs festival.

 

 With a self-deprecating, deadpan style, she did one routine about meeting her fellow female stars at the Juno awards that nearly brought the house down. "I met Celine Dion ... but she was turned slightly to the side, so I didn't see her at first," Arden said, adding bits about a fist-fight with Shania Twain and a drunk Anne Murray and her "snap-on hair." Bada-bing, bada-boom!

 

 OK, so this is supposed to be a music review. But the jokes are a good thing. Without comedy to temper Arden's soul-wrenching music, it might be wrist-slitting time.

 

 Arden opened with Good Mother, one of the most positive songs she's ever written, but one in which she manages to deliver lines like "I've got money in my pocket, I like the color of my hair" with an air of vague, empty sadness. Then it was into Saved, another immaculate arrangement, another haunting vocal performance, another moody sentiment.

 

 With a band that included Edmonton singer Lin Elder and bassist Mike Lent, Arden spindled her hits into interesting new arrangements. This was by far her most "rock 'n' roll" concert yet. Could I Be Your Girl was recast in a funky rock groove while Living Under June was given a distinct Latin flavor. They're still not what you'd call happy songs. Even the title of her latest album, Happy?, off which she pulled out one or two crowd favorites, is designed to make you wonder.

 

 One thing for sure: Arden is beginning to earn the slightly frightening, Sarah McLachlan-like devotion from fans - of both sexes. Early in the show, there came a crazed male voice from the balcony: "I love you, Jann!"

 

 Arden replied with a sigh, "I really could've used you in 1980, at my high school graduation. Now you're just a voice in the darkness." (The second time the guy did it, Arden shot back a sly retort: "F--- off now.")

 

 Female fans were more vocal: "You rule, Jann!" they'd shout at more or less regular intervals, but Arden didn't quite know how to reply to that.

 

 This strange mix of mirth and melancholy has been Arden's trademark since the beginning of her career. It was brought to full bloom during her first Jubilee Auditorium concert last night. Where it goes from here is anybody's guess.

 

 Opening trio Beautiful Joe served up a short set of acoustic, Everly Brothers-style tunes steeped in the strong flavor of the Canadian Prairies. The music, although pleasant while it lasted, was somewhat forgettable - with one exception: a deft, beautifully written song called Average Joe. At least this wasn't average.