Live: Raul Midón LE CABARET JUSTE POUR RIRE - JANUARY 19 - by Eva Blue - Raul Midón walks across the stage escorted by his road manager to the center of a semi-circle of monitors. He gets help strapping on his guitar, reaches forward to make sure he's in front of the microphone, then gets settled. Meanwhile, the audience is clapping and screaming enthusiastically, setting the mood for an evening of pure musical craftsmanship. Midón's blindness is secondary to the music, but it's a fact. It's also a fact that the man can play. His guitar skills are extraordinary, his singing voice is soulful and his a capella trumpeting is unforgettable. Midón has a quiet air of confidence, seems to sincerely enjoy playing music and especially likes the audience's appreciation. It's surprising that Raul Midón hasn't grown a bigger cult following. He has all the makings of being a major star except maybe the lack of a six-pack stomach. He's a towering, handsome man of Latin and African-American descent. The talent is obvious; forget that he has Stevie Wonder and Meshell Ndegeocello playing on his albums. Maybe he's not a huge star because his range of styles is too broad; RnB, soul, Latin, folk, pop and jazz. Maybe the album doesn't convey enough of his live talent. Maybe he just doesn't fit in a box. Most likely, in time, he will be found. Talent like this does not go unnoticed for long. Spike Lee noticed and Midón recorded "Adam n' Eve n' Eve," the theme song to She Hate Me. People will take notice. He started the show with tracks from his newest release, World Within a World, including "Pick Somebody Up," "Save My Life" and "Tembererana." Midón also threw in a few songs with lots of vocal trumpeting off his previous albums ("State of Mind," "Sunshine") and honoured us with an unnamed new song he is considering putting on his next album. If he does, Montrealers can say we had the privilege of hearing it first.