EDMONTON - Only moments after taking the stage at the Jubilee Auditorium Thursday night, Stompin' Tom Connors didn't look very well. The 70-year-old singer began to sway and lurch as his thin face twisted up and narrow eyes bugged out under his big, black brim.

Was Stompin' Tom in the grips of a medical emergency?

Thankfully, no. It was just his 'drunk' bit and an introduction to some of Connors's famous humour that peppered his entire performance.

It took eight long songs from Connors's backup band before the Man of the Land finally graced the stage himself, but when he did, the delay was instantly forgotten.

"From Prince Edward Island to the City of Champions ..." he said and kicked things off with the ever-popular Bud the Spud.

Although it was a strong start for the man, his stompin' foot was a little slow. But the shuffle quickly grew into soft pounding and eventually full-force kicks sending sawdust into the air. Connors acknowledged this fact later in the show, saying even though his stompin' isn't as strong, he's singing better, looking better and telling better lies as he ages.

A pitcher and glass were waiting for him on a stool next to the mike and when he took his first sip exclaimed, "What the hell is in there? Somebody put water in here."

More pronounced was his "easterner'' accent than in person, but it was these details that brought the Canadian icon alive for his fans. That and, of course, his hundreds of ageless songs born from the Canadiana dirt his boots have kicked up from coast to coast over the last 50 years.

With 250 songs in Connors's songbook being sold that night, only so many can be squeezed into a live performance. But he did his best to do the favourites, many of which had the silver-haired crowd clapping and singing along. Aside from Man of the Land, the audience enjoyed lively hits such as Margo's Cargo, Muk Tuk Annie, Gumboot Cloggeroo, Big Joe Mufferaw and The Hockey Song for the Oilers and all their fans.

Connors also offered up some newer tunes like The Hockey Mom Tribute and a song he wrote after meeting a guy here a couple of years ago who was married and divorced all in the same year.

"I figured he deserved a song," said Connors, whose main subject matter is based on personal stories of Canadians everywhere.

Connors, back to his 'drunk' bit, played a song by "the other Tom" - Jones. And his spin on the sentimental lyrics of The Green, Green Grass of Home had the audience in stitches. As did his nose picking and loud throat clearing for the Alberta crowd.

Connors also covered a Wilf Carter song with a fantastic yodel of his own he says he used to practise while going to get the cows as a kid.

Although Connors tours every year, the strategic planning behind his performances must take more and more consideration of his age and stamina. The long warmup from his backup band kept fans waiting just too long for the star they all came to see. They played a few less songs after returning from the intermission, but chances are the crowd would have preferred a shorter concert with less filler material.

Not that Connors's five-piece band was bad, just a bit dull.

But the amazing thing about the band was, knowing they play show after show with Connors and hear the same jokes all the time, at some point during the show each one gave a sincere smile and chuckle at Connors's entertaining ways.

Keep on Stompin' Tom!