After unplugging for an album and summer tour full of acoustic blues, Colin James last night seemed to relish the miracle of electricity.

As he took to the stage at the Ex's free-concert series, sawing away with his slide on an electric axe, it was abundantly evident this would not be the low-key sound James displays on his new acoustic album National Steel and has taken to folk festivals across Canada this summer.

With a stripped-down three piece backing band, James' set was hampered early on by some fuzzy sound mixing, especially on the simmering Freedom, where his smoky vocals got lost in a blanket of bass.

Yet all was forgiven when he kicked into a fret-melting solo that was a model of economy and power.

Curiously, James' original material fared better than his more traditional covers. When he essayed standards, the results were adequate but muted. But the Stonesy, slinky riff of Savior seemed to bring out the best in the band, and James took the opportunity to launch a searching, scorching slide solo.

Though it's his guitar-playing that gets most of the attention, he did a nice job delivering These Arms Of Mine. But rather than try to mimic Otis Redding's original, James wisely found his own way with the song and was much more successful interpreting the number.

Opening act David Wilcox relies less on technical proficiency to score his points, and relies more on a reputation as a showman.

Supported by an able bass-and-drums rhythm section, and drawing on a repertoire honed through years of playing beer bashes and roadhouses across the country, Wilcox (who, according to one Ex official, celebrated after his set by taking a plunge on the midway's flume ride) proved he is still able to create a party-hearty atmosphere instantly, not unlike his stylistic counterpart, George Thorogood.

Although he spikes his selections with simple, colorful solos and inventive use of guitar effects, his voice is rough and almost conversational in quality. Technical virtuosity -- as either a singer or guitarist -- is not his strong suite, but last night he proved he's still the life of the party.

SUN RATING: 2 OUT OF 5