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CALGARY - You either got it or you didn't.
For Canadian songstress Nelly Furtado, she's got the sex appeal, the looks, and the pipes of a superstar.
The moves, however, are a whole different story.
While being rhythmically challenged is not a huge deal in the studio, or while filming music videos (these things can be edited to make one look like the 11th Jackson, regardless of talent), it's harder to hide the shame of being, dare we say, "average" while performing in concert.
So what's a girl to do?
Apparently, based on last night's Saddledome show, you move as little as possible and choreograph the heck out of the rest.
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It came off awkwardly, and proved a distraction during Furtado's hour-and-45-minute gig, which otherwise was pretty solid.
Backed by a six-piece band, which included opener Saukrates on percussion, and four dancers, Furtado, dressed in black M.C. Hammer pants and stilettos, appeared atop a two-tiered stage.
The Victoria, B.C.-raised pop princess wasted no time breaking out the hits, offering four -- Say It Right, Turn Off The Light, Powerless and Do It -- right off the bat.
Then, after a much-needed wardrobe change into a strapless evening gown, she slowed things down with the Middle Eastern sounding Wait For You, the mellow Showtime, and a beautiful cover of Gnarls Barkley's Crazy.
It was during these ballads when Furtado was at her best, showcasing her voice and connecting with the crowd on an intimate level.
At press deadline, she was back to her chart-toppers, for the second half, which was expected to include I'm Like A Bird, Promiscuous and Maneater.
While Furtado has grown as a performer since her first Calgary show at MacEwan Hall in 2002, and her star power has hit an all-time high with the success of Loose (the R&B-inspired CD has sold more than five million copies worldwide) her Canadian audience hasn't kept pace with her.
Roughly 7,000 people took in her show, and only 4,400 fans turned out for her concert in Edmonton Monday.
That's pretty sad considering the 29-year-old, who recently appeared on CSI: Miami and is set to host the Junos on Sunday, has been attracting sold-out crowds in Europe and the U.S.
Canadian hip-hop artist Saukrates also appears to be struggling to make fans at home.
Last year, he performed at the American Music Awards and even on One Life To Live.
All that has only slightly boosted his singing career, which based on last night's high-energy set, is definitely worth a second look.
As for the Jon Levine Band, which got things started, all I can say is: Turn Down Your Amps!
While Levine, keyboardist for the Philosopher Kings, is amazing on the keys, the pure volume made it impossible understand anything that came out of his mouth.