November 15, 2003
Stripes hit all the right buttons

TORONTO -- According to legend, blues guitarist Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil in order to play the blues. Decades later, it seems The White Stripes might have cut a deal similar to Johnson's, blending the blues with rock for fame and fortune.

On Thursday night, the sold-out Hershey Centre in Mississauga witnessed the primal yet near perfect result.

In one of the more anticipated concerts of the year, and previously postponed due to singer-guitarist Jack White braking a finger in an accident in early July, the 80-minute show did not disappoint.

Opening with Black Math, a Yardbirds-like rave-up from the duo's latest album Elephant, their brand of '60s garage rock with touches of Delta blues rarely faltered.

Dead Leaves And The Dirty Ground and I Think I Smell A Rat were strong building blocks for what was to come from a simplistic yet powerful drums-and-guitar arrangement.

While drummer Meg White spent the evening pounding the skins, she did sing lead on In The Cold, Cold Night, a slower, sultrier tune.

"Hi, it's been a long time. We're glad to be back," Jack White told the fist-pumping crowd prior to the "boogie" heavy Hotel Yorba from the band's 2001 album White Blood Cells. Resembling a possessed preacher at times, the singer wailed often without going over the top.

Just as pleasing was the choice of covers, beginning with Dolly Parton's Jolene and a bruising rendition of Bob Dylan's Love Sick soon after. A cover of Burt Bacharach's I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself came off better than expected.

There seemed to be a few lulls, however, particularly after the latest single The Hardest Button To Button, which drew the night's second-biggest response. Let's Shake Hands and I Want To Be The Boy That Warms Your Mother's Heart slowed things down, as a smattering of cigarette lighters were held overhead. The lull also coincided with a young girl fainting near the front of the stage and being assisted by security.

"Okay, no more crowd surfing," Jack White said. "If I see any more Canadian girls getting hurt I'll have to come down there!"

With nary a soul gone, The White Stripes performed as an encore a reworked Fell In Love With A Girl before wrapping up with Seven Nation Army -- with their army of fans clapping or singing along.

JAM! Rating: 4 out of 5 (More on White Stripes)