The skinny on Jann Arden (12 photos)

The last time I saw Jann Arden perform was in 1994 during the Living Under June tour and I loved her.

I still have and often wear the t-shirt from that show.

But it was so long ago, I had forgotten what drew me to her.

Two minutes into her Friday night appearance at the Steelback Centre, it suddenly came back to me.

Charisma.

50 pounds lighter and as beautiful as ever proudly showing off her magnificent cleavage, she strolled on stage, let loose that divine voice of hers and had everyone instantly captivated.

Half of the evening was dedicated to her original compositions, including Could I Be Your Girl, Good Mother, Insensitive and Will You Remember Me.

You're So Vain, California Dreamin' and Peace Train were a few of the selections she chose from her latest recording, Uncover Me.

And naturally, between songs her quick, dry and sometimes dirty wit sharply contrasted and balanced the solemn music.

She even directed a "beaver" joke at Anthony, the young boy no more than two years old, who came to the stage to present her with a gift of flowers.

"It's okay. It goes right over his head," she whispered into the mic over the audiences hysterical laughter.

"Just like all the jokes in Shrek, right over their heads."

Although this audience was smaller than previous Steelback Centre shows, their demand for an encore was impressive and Jann obliged with two additional songs.

During the first, a cover of the Psychedelic Firs' Heaven which guitar player Russell Broom sang, she painted a picture on stage.

Afterwards she announced the painting would be available in the lobby for fans to bid on, with the proceeds going to World Vision.

A class act all the way despite her crazy sense of humour, this performance will not soon be forgotten.