When I told my brother I was going to see Rufus Wainwright, he didn"t know who the singer/songwriter was. Diluting his essence for keen, clever writing and heartfelt piano ballads into a comparison, I noted "He"s like a female Sarah McLachlan." "I"m sorry," my brother said dryly.

Really, though, there"s nothing at all to be sorry about. Rufus" first self-titled album was indeed a primarily somber affair, but his new album Poses reveals his sense of humor.

The show opened with "Cigarrettes and Chocolate Milk," the first single from Poses. Rufus amused the audience with his dangerous desire for extremes: "Cigarettes and chocolate milk/these are just a couple of my cravings."

"Greek Song" followed, a lush love letter to the sun and beauty of Greece he has since left behind. Fans were won over by the new songs, and their lyrics, with Rufus singing longingly "All the sights of Paris/Pale inside your iris" on "Tower of Learning."

Backed by a full band he transformed melancholy into a fun affair, alternately between a rock star and sundry folk artist, walking about in a red football shirt emblazoned with the name "Prettyman" and switching from guitar to piano with his sister, Martha, providing sweeping backing vocals.

The intimate crowd at The Magic Bag was mixed, with faithful, if geeky-boy fans, hip teenage girls and chic urban hipsters comfortable alongside each other, singing along to such standout tracks as "Foolish Love."

Rufus quipped in between tracks, as four Hieneken bottles stood scattered across the top of his piano, emptying one by one.

Poses is released June 5.