One thing you can say about the Rankins.

They never give up.

Where most bands would have packed up the old mule and moved on, the artists formerly known as the Rankin Family reinvented themselves and did it with more punch than a 19-year-old's first rock band.

This was entirely evident last night as 2200 ticket holders welcomed the Rankins to the Jubilee Auditorium. By the end of the evening almost all of them were on their feet, swaying and clappingt.

And if Celtic doesn't take over country in the next few years, I'll eat my kilt.

Jimmy Rankin came on and led an attention-grabbing Roving Gypsy Boy, though the band focused primarily on their hot new disc, Uprooted, for most of the night. Heather Rankin was clearly at the front of the countrification project, and she looked like a smiling farmer's daughter on grad night as the three sisters split off and weaved, step-danced and harmonized to their brothers' beats and rhythms.

Cookie Rankin, as always, had a playful charm about her, and a pop sensibilty that wavered from Bruce Cockburn to Jane Siberry to, I swear, Dolly Parton.

The Rankins were out and wearing their new energy like achievement badges. Sew on the first one for diversity.

Primal Gaelic songs like O Tha Mo Dhuil Ruit switched off with CMT hits like Movin' On and Long Way to Go. Jimmy's performance piece, Weddings, Funerals and Wakes, brought images of Gord Downie under the blue light, the sisters off in their trio, as if sampled off another record. But this is live, of course, this song about ghosts and wolves and barroom fights. Pretentious? Let's just say delightfully Canadian.

North Country and especially Heather's Cold Winds were touching, which is why the Rankins can never go truly hot country. Their sentiments are too sincere.

And, being a family in close quarters, they were all quick to point out which songs they'd each written, as if they'd get in trouble for not pulling their weight. Very cute.

Tailor's Delight was the highlight of the show, mixing musical elements to create something uniquely Rankin.

As Cape Bretoners and Canadians, the Rankins were a little enamoured with that signature, drawn-out Howard Jones bass, but that's hardly a complaint. Last night was an education for country radio's smartest listeners and a reassurance that getting older isn't always so bad.

Youth stepped out of the shadows early as Gordie Sampson, also from the music isle, played a cool selection of urban folk tunes. His enthusiasm survived despite being constantly grilled by the soft-seat citizens about the hockey score. (No, Oilers, no.)

His duet was a nice contrast to the later very busy stage and he did exactly what opening acts are meant to do: open up the ears of the crowd.

His energy was felt as he later joined the Rankins in the quest to entertain.

And they did indeed.