Performing dockside at the Larinda mooring, PEI’s favourite son kept the audience clapping and tapping

Lennie Gallant performing at the Halifax Tall Ships 2012, with his nephew Mitchell Gallant on bass (photo Stephen Pate)

A free afternoon concert by award-winning, singer songwriter Lennie Gallant was a highlight of Friday afternoon at the Halifax Tall Ships Festival 2012.

Performing under a beautiful blue sky with picturesque white clouds, Lennie Gallant sang many of his top hits from the past two decades. The crowd loved every toe-tapping minute, singing along and giving him rousing applause.  

Backing Lennie were Anthony Rissesco on violin and three of his nephews from the talented Gallant family of Rustico, PEI – Jeremy, Jonathan and Mitch Gallant, who have their own rock group Bad Mountie (Facebook).  Jeremy Gallant danced, tossed his head and played up a storm.

Lennie has lots of tales about the sea and sailing plus songs of the Maritimes to back up his shaggy dog stories like “Peter’s Dream” and “Tales of the Phantom Ship”.  He keeps the well-honed professional show moving along while maintaining rapport with the audience.  His fans appreciated his friendliness afterwards as well when he signed autographs and posed for pictures as long as the audience wanted.

Capacity crowd plus Theodore Too attend Lennie Gallant concert at Summit Plaza during the Halifax Tall Ships Festival 2012 (photo Stephen Pate)

The capacity crowd was standing at the edges of the open air, Summit Plaza amphitheater in the hot afternoon sun soaking up the good vibes. Theodore Too tied up at dockside to listen to Lennie and the band play on.

“I hope he sings ’47 Angels on Her Front Lawn’,” said a man in the audience to his wife. It reminded me of the last time we left PEI and saw the business that makes concrete lawn ornaments. We started singing ’47 Angels’ in the car. Sure enough, Lennie sang the song.

Lennie Gallant at the Halifax Tall Ships – Anthony Rissesco, violin; Jonathan Gallant, drum; Lennie Gallant, vocals and guitar; Mitchell Gallant, bass, Jeremy Gallant, keyboard (photo Stephen Pate)

In the space of 90 minutes, Lennie covered material from his latest CD “If We Had A Fire” and the span of his music right back to the beginning, including his hit song “Which Way Did The River Run” and my favorite “Pieces of You.”

Lennie Gallant never disappoints his audiences and yesterday was no exception. He is a great entertainer.

Jeremy Gallant said he is enjoying working with Lennie. They have done more than 10 shows since spring and hope to close out the season with their famous uncle. Islanders are used to seeing Lennie Gallant accompanied by the boys, who have grown up on the stage of Rendezvous Rustico and Lennie’s annual Rustico Christmas concerts.

The Lennie Gallant concert was just one of dozens of events at the Halifax Tall Ships Festival 2012 which continues until Monday July 23, 2012. Check out the schedule.

For more information, see his official website.

Summer Tour

You can see Lennie Gallant this summer at the following events: