While those in attendance were no doubt still feeling lonesome without him, the musical highway the late Jacksoul vocalist Haydain Neale paved was celebrated in full Monday night.

The tribute concert -- entitled Can’t Stop Loving You: A Celebration Of The Life And Music of Haydain Neale – featured performances by Jim Cuddy, Chantal Kreviazuk, Nelly Furtado, Keshia Chante and many others at the near capacity Phoenix Concert Theatre. All of the proceeds from the gig went to the Haydain Neale Family Trust.

After recovering from a motor vehicle accident in 2007 that reportedly left him in a coma for some time, Neale died on Nov. 22 after a battle with lung cancer. He was 39. His death also came on the cusp of the new Jacksoul album SOULmate released Dec. 1.

Throughout the evening, many of the artists fondly recalled meeting Neale, including Cuddy who said Neale could “sing like a motherf-----“ before performing the Blue Rodeo staple Try, a song Neale cover on Jacksoul’s MySOUL album.

And Ivana Santilli, who remembered hearing the song Unconditional at her parents’ home, took a softer, lounge-like jazz approach to the aforementioned effort which was a nice if unspectacular change of pace.

Yet for all of the strong performances and impressive lineup given the very short time frame to put it together, Dan Hill’s simple but very moving Daddy’s Song seemed to steal the roughly two-hour show as Neale’s daughter Yasmin sat beside him onstage. The number left few with dry eyes.

But fortunately the musical selections brought with them more feel-good Motown soul than somberness, especially early on in the show when Chante and Jacksoul (whose remaining members acted primarily as the house band) nailed Think You Should Know. This was quickly complemented by Wade O. Brown whose solid rendition of The River definitely did justice to the original. Brown also sported a t-shirt with a photo of Neale and “goodbye” written underneath.

Those who tried their hand at saluting Neale with their own material were a bit hit-and-miss. Justin Nozuka’s rootsy number After Tonight seemed to pale compared to Nelly Furtado’s I’m Like A Bird which Furtado -– who stated she last played the venue in 2000 opening for Jacksoul -- urged the crowd to sing along to.

Of course there was the obligatory encore with all of the artists onstage, but Neale’s main musical nuggets were dished out in far finer fashion thanks to Divine Brown working the stage for Can’t Stop. Later on Luke McMaster tried his best to hit the sweet high notes on the fun Still Believe In Love.

The only flaw might have been the changes in the previously announced lineup with Raine Maida and Billy Talent singer Ben Kowalewicz not attending. But the unusual fluid and fast format made it a minor pet peeve.

Sun rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Monday Night

Phoenix Concert Theatre