Go ahead, throw all you've got at Medicine Dream. Feedback from microphones, a production manager running across the stage every few minutes, missing keyboard sound -- nothing can detract from a show by this fabulous band, as proven Saturday in Sydney Laurence Theatre.

Lead singer Paul Pike broke a guitar string during the opening song. He continued to have problems with his guitar, at one point telling the audience, "I don't think I was meant to play guitar tonight."

It didn't matter. Pike's flute playing mesmerized the audience, while George Newton displayed his talent on acoustic and electric guitars. Eventually, Pike got his own guitar back.

Saturday's show was a celebration of Medicine Dream's latest CD, "Tomegan Gospem." The Alaska Native Heritage Center sponsored the event, which offered a rare opportunity to hear a full array of Medicine Dream's musical styles.

Many of the band's songs emphasize rock elements, such as contemporary drums and electric and bass guitar. But the members of Medicine Dream bring a depth of musical training to their art, and they showed off their versatility Saturday with tunes ranging from more traditional pieces to a song called "The Homecoming," which Pike referred to as "Indian reggae."

Four songs from the new album stood out at the performance. The title song opened the show and had the audience spellbound, with Pike singing a cappella as band members, cast in dark shadow, took the stage one by one.

"Thousands of Years of Love" featured bass guitarist Laurie Kidd on harmony vocals. While Kidd also sang harmony with Pike on one other tune, her vocal talents warrant even more of the spotlight.

"People of the Dawn" is a catchy melody with pop styling, but the lyrics demonstrate concerns broader than those of much pop music. Pike, who composes most of Medicine Dream's songs, writes lyrics of hope: "The summertime has come to the people of the dawn; we'll be dancing for the elders, we'll be dancing for our young."

"In This World" brought people to their feet. It was then, in the arts center's smallest theater (seating only 350), that I noticed a man viewing the show through binoculars. Perhaps the man was practicing for the day, probably not far off, when Medicine Dream will be playing much larger halls.

The "Tomegan Gospem" CD recently was nominated for a Canadian Juno award. For those who missed Saturday's exciting show, the nomination provides a good reason to check out this new release. For those who attended the concert, the performance alone proved reason enough. The technical difficulties will quickly fade from memory. Medicine Dream's professionalism and enormous musical gift will not.

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