Gord Got It Done
Char
to express how incredible the Hamilton Experience was.
Of course there is always the joy of seeing old friends again and the
pleasure of meeting new ones. But for those who travelled from overseas to
the ones who drove 10 hours or took a train from around Lake Ontario, those
who have seen The Man many times to those who have never seen at all him we
all were in the same state of anticipation, nervousness, slight worry and
downright bloody giddiness that he was back and we were going to see him.
The Man was no less than inspirational. To have recovered his health from
that horrible devastation almost 2 1/2 years ago to the point of robust
energy, proud swaggering, big huge goofy grins and humble smiles is one
amazing thing. BUT to also apply a work ethic that must be astounding in its
depth, to his craft, his real love, the music ALONG with the dedication to
his physical recovery was truly miraculous. He is the embodiment of "gettin'
it done." And he got it done for his fans. He got it done in spades.
The boys in the band assumed their spots, the applause began, people rose in
their seats and The Man strode out with the most glorious smile and humble
nod of his head. He looked damned happy to be back and we let him know we
were damned happy to see him. Being the humble man and not wanting to waste
time while this wave of respect and love filled the hall he started playing,
forcing us to stop the silliness and get on with the music! And he knew
best. I'm sure everyone was breathless and still just waiting for that first
finger to hit a guitar string and the magic to begin with the first
Lightfoot musical word. Omigod he was singing Spanish Moss! A burst of
applause and we all settled back to take in the magic. It was just that -
magic.
His voice in the first few songs faded here and there, some lyrics were
barely audible at times but he was strong, he looked great in his black
jeans, brown boots, burgundy dress shirt and brown-toned vest. At times it
was as if the 70's had taken over. Several people mentioned this later - it
was a look he wore well back then and he pulled it off again on Nov.28,
2004.
He played a few tunes before addressing the reason why he was there that
night. It was very moving to hear him speak so lovingly about the people and
place that saved his life. And as you all can guess I got weepy. For the
first time. He joked about the nurses telling him after a couple of days in
recovery after he awoke to "get your own basin" for bathing himself. And no
one loves a Gord joke more than Gord. His laughter was more music to my
ears. All the mannerisms, the arms spread and the hands so expressful, the
shaking of his head as he chuckled to himself and the leaning forward
towards the audience on one leg-it was all there.He was back. And he was
having a great time.
Looking around at people in other rows I couldn't help but note the constant
smiles - he had us hook, line and sinker. When a song went particularly well
he ended it with that lean forward, last flourish on the guitar and the gaze
into the audience that said "damn! that was GOOD!" He was pleased with
himself and it showed. The band was tip top and not being a techie or
musician myself they sounded perfect to me. There were glitches here and
there apparently but completely irrelevant to me.
He explained the writing of Harmony and hearing him speak of the "low times,
the dips and dives when emotional trauma occurs" like it did for him I could
only think that along with the physical trauma and the trauma of worrying
about losing his livelihood he was thrust into re-living the emotions of
those songs he wrote for the Harmony CD. Others would possibly break from it
all but the heart and spirit were obviously strong. And obviously I wept
again. The little cracks and imperfections in his voice made me breathless
during this song of hurt.
He spoke again about the nurses and doctors and during one list of thank
you's he mentioned "The Net People." And of course the thirty or so of
scattered around Hamilton Place let him know we were there. And he smiled.
And he sang a timeless song - Sit Down Yong Stranger to a hushed audience
who perhaps understood the message in the music.
His absolute joy in talking about Orillia and Couchiching was, for me at
least, quite touching. His obsession with words is one reason why we have
had Lightfoot music for so long and I marvelled at how he could take this
odd sounding word, the name of the lake his hometown sits on, and make it
into a love song for his boyhood home.
The first night brought concern (and a slight myocardial infarction to me)
when during IYCRMM he stopped using his right hand and his arm hung unmoving
at his side. He slowly tuned and walked back towards Rick while he kept his
left hand on the guitar neck playing the chords. Mike looked over to see
what was going on and Barry and Terry looked concerned. The song kept going
and after what seemed to be a lifetime he turned around, walked slowly back
to his microphone, raised his hand to his guitar and continued to sing and
play. Another lifetime later my heart began to beat again. It was sometime
during the encore I think.....and he nailed EMR to the wall. The depth of
his voice and resonance was amazing-like 20 years earlier really.
The next day the review in the Hamilton Spectator said that very same thing
we all said after the show. And he knew it too.
The second night started off and he nailed every song from the get-go...the
guitar playing was on and the voice was there for the whole night so there
were several of those "Damn that was GOOD" gazes into the audience that
cracked me up.
He strode out on to the stage in a beautiful pair of black dress pants, a
black shirt with a white starburst pattern, black belt and black leather
dress shoes. He looked damn fine! The effect was quite amazing. Several of
us were quite awestruck actually! LOL - He looked soooooo good!
At one point he did a "guy" thing- perhaps not realizing how close he was to
the microphone he gave a good "snort" and swallow. A few beats later he
laughingly said "that went down good." Well the whole place cracked up. The
laughter went on and he stepped back and had a good chuckle with the band. I
thought to myself "you can dress him up but you can't take him anywhere!" I
think I laughed about it everyone once in a while for most of the night. And
apparently a lot of others did too. What a guy.
He told of making a promise to a nurse that he would sing Bitter Green for
her when he got back on stage. And being the honourable man he is he sang
"Bittergreen" for her. He tried to find her in the audience for a few
moments before starting but then went ahead and kept that very important
promise. It was lovely.
The new songs from Harmony blended perfectly into the set list and it was
another weepy moment for me when he sang Clouds of Loneliness. I heard and
felt the emotion in that song being performed live much more than when I've
played the CD. It was quite moving.
When he started to play "In My Fashion" I thought how much more poignant
that song must be for him and his children now, many of whom were there over
the two nights.
All I thought of was the wailing I would hear from over the pond when
"someone" told her he did Christian Island." I asked for a volunteer for
that task and see someone has already performed the nasty deed. I'm hearing
the echoes still....I may never be able to listen to C.I. again.
It was a most amazing time....a time for friends to get together and get
re-acquainted, to remember past Lightfoot trips and shows, to talk of our
lives, jobs and families, our own struggles over the last couple of years
but to ultimately get together to say thanks, we love you, we love your
music and we're glad you're back to The Man.
And thanks for gettin' it done.
p.s.
And I did have the chance to say "thank you" to him ....and then I gave him
another kiss.
Char
serial weeper and kisser
Derek
writing, which capured the whole experience for me, and I'm sure for
everyone else who couldn't be there.
Thank you for this. It's a keeper.
Derek
"Char" <lightf...@rogers.com> wrote in message
news:k-6dnUyed6k...@rogers.com...
Cathy Cowette
Hey, there's a bunch of guitarists on rec.music.makers.guitar.acoustic
anxiously awaiting some personal reviews from the concerts, and this one is
very well written. Do you mind if I post it there? They would appreciate it
so much.
If not, it's no big deal. But I know they'd really enjoy it!
Cathy
http://www.cathycowette.com
"Char" <lightf...@rogers.com> wrote in message
news:k-6dnUyed6k...@rogers.com...
Char
I also should mention that the Good Brothers were great-I'm not a huge fan,
never was but I did enjoy both nights of their songs. A very, very moving
one about their dad made me teary as well....They love Gord so that makes
them good guys as well as Good Brothers...
ack!
lol
"Cathy Cowette" <ca...@cathycowette.com> wrote in message
news:VV8rd.27198$Uf....@twister.nyroc.rr.com...
Janice
expected, and did it so vividly I felt I was there beside you. I especially
loved the "snort and swallow" bit. OMG I'm still laughing and will probably
resort to giggles for some time to come.
You made not being able to be there almost bearable - thank you!
Janice
"Char" <lightf...@rogers.com> wrote in message
news:k-6dnUyed6k...@rogers.com...
Ed Mullen
> Well after a short, much needed nap to rejuvenate my memory I shall attempt
> to express how incredible the Hamilton Experience was.
>
NICE JOB, Boss! Beautifully written.
--
Ed Mullen
http://edmullen.net
Backups? Backups? We don't need no steenking backups! - Famous Last Words
Kimberly
Finding it hard to imagine the guy thing, but hey what do I know.
Glad the shows were a success and all of you had such a great time.
sniff, sniff...
Peter T.
Well Char all can I say is that is a fantastic post and one that we all
will remember for a long time to come. I am so glad that GL made a
successful return to the stage. The one thing that has worried me was
that he could have come back as a mere shadow of his former self. I am
so glad that that thought has been erased from my mind.
So it is onward and upward for Gord and who know maybe a new CD as I am
sure that Harmony won't be his last.
I think I will have to go and put Harmony on the Cd player and play
Shell fish and The No Hotel, close my eyes and return to Massey and
smile the contented smile of revisited memories of great concerts and
wonderful friends.
Thanks for the great post Char
--
Warmest Regards Peter T.
BrunaZanelli
>"someone" told her he did Christian Island." I asked for a volunteer for
>that task and see someone has already performed the nasty deed. I'm hearing
>the echoes still....I may never be able to listen to C.I. again.
No matter how much Merlot I swallowed, the agony of missing Gord's return,
remained. The weekend was a major letdown as I imagined what was taking place
without me. Yes, I know, I am pathetic! And he sang CI! *sigh* ...
I am trying so hard, CHar, but ....
HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWLLLL!
Bru
PS. Beautiful, beautiful post, Char.
mcarl4444
handled by a bunch of pros. Sounds like the band stepped up to the
plate in fine style during whatever it was.
Talk about a success story for the hospital staff!
Matt
"Char" <lightf...@rogers.com> wrote in message news:<k-6dnUyed6k...@rogers.com>...
David Bradford
You're pretty awesome with words too!
David in Sweden
Douglas Crowe
<graphicsb...@earthlink.net> wrote:
>Wow! Sounds damn fine!
>Finding it hard to imagine the guy thing, but hey what do I know.
>Glad the shows were a success and all of you had such a great time.
>sniff, sniff...
>
>
Don't feel bad Kimberly..I didn't get to go either....I hate the
INS...LOL...Hope all had a great time..and I must say..."Way
to go Gord"!! The man is incredible!!!Hope to get to Massey
Hope is the key word here...:)
Douglas Crowe
wrote:
I barked and howled all night Bru...I did not get to go
either...:(That's ok..let's try Massey..maybe we'll get to
go there!Oh..man..Christian Isle is one of my favs too!
Douglas Crowe
wrote:
>It was a most amazing time....a time for friends to get together and get
>re-acquainted, to remember past Lightfoot trips and shows, to talk of our
>lives, jobs and families, our own struggles over the last couple of years
>but to ultimately get together to say thanks, we love you, we love your
>music and we're glad you're back to The Man.
>
>And thanks for gettin' it done.
>
>
>p.s.
>
>And I did have the chance to say "thank you" to him ....and then I gave him
>another kiss.
>
>Char
>serial weeper and kisser
>
Most excellent review Char...wow..I didn't get to go..but through
your review..you seemed to take us all to that moment!!Great Job!
Douglas
Steven G.
getting back into the swing of things, and starting to perform again.
It has been quite a
couple of years for him.
I surely hope that Lightfoot will swing down around the Maritimes next
year when he starts touring in 2005. Or even yet, maybe next year go
up to see him at Massey Hall.
Steven
Lori
you made me feel as if I were sitting in the next seat. Sounds like
the shows were wonderful which only means that May gives us something
awsome to look forward to. Let the countdown begin.
Thanks for the update.
Lori
Ron Jones
top" and without doubt could teach articling students a thing or two.
Wow, you're artistic talents shone through there. I was not just
"moved," but "moved over to tears." It came at a time when the
political scenario here in Canuk Land was sorta "blowin around in the
cold Ottawa wind" with all these visits from folks in "high places
etc." Needles to say it was a pleasant distraction. With the Massey
shows now in the plans, the world is becoming a brighter place. Can't
wait! Ron Jones.
Char
but am always hesitant to write about anything else.....fear of rejection I
suppose!
lol
I appreciate the encouragement from everyone - perhaps one day I'll give it
a go...
;)
"Ron Jones" <ran...@telus.net> wrote in message
news:5d2dc9c1.04120...@posting.google.com...
Roy Bragg
of sound so well I felt I was actually there seeing Gord myself. A
beautiful article.
Roy