July 7, 1998
Sass just gets better

Though her popularity may have waned a bit since the days of her huge hit album Rats, Sass Jordan proved last night that she isn't finished yet.

Playing to a crowd of about 1,000 at the Coca-Cola Stage, Jordan was her usual hard-nosed rock chick self, but with a little sensitive singer-songwriter thrown in this time.

Bounding on stage clad in blue jeans and a summery white-and-blue blouse, Jordan immediately began rocking out, shaking her blond hair about, thrilling her hard-core fans who, with heads a bobbin', were bunched up at the front of the stage.

A recent first-time mother, Jordan looked fit, happy and, in fact, radiant.

Her good mood and likable stage presence infected the audience, who just seemed happy that it wasn't pouring on their heads for once.

Jordan's four-piece band competently backed the Toronto-based singer as she charged through early hits like Careful What You Wish For and songs from her latest disc Present, including the sophisticated Do What I Can.

Hearing the new and old songs side by side, one can hear how far Jordan has progressed in her writing and her life.

The newer numbers are definitely more introspective, and her trademark sandpaper voice tends to smooth out as she sings them.

Here's hoping she improves even more with age.