Massey Hall - Saturday
JenRivard
Again, Lynn/Laverne/Thelma/Vanna has the set list. Saturday nights concert was
different than any I have seen for a long time. It was interesting that that
was the night that was being taped too. I spotted Pee Wee Charles, Cathy
Coonley, his sons Eric and Miles and lovely wife Elizabeth in that night's
audience. Lightfoot stepped out and starting singing, and sounded great. How a
man who is having his 61st birthday thius week can look and sound so good is
beyond me.
When I see the set list I can probably figure out which song had the 1st
mistake. GL blew a few lyrics, and kind of slid over them. We all have seen him
forget a few lyrics, who wouldn't, but this time he just slid over them,
sounding a great deal like Bob Dylan! We all looked at each other as if to say
"What was that?" He proceeded to do that probably 5 times throughout the
concert. He never got upset, or started a song over, just kept on going.
Probably to all but the die hard fans it might have been unoticable.
Something happened with Terry Clements while all this was goping on. If you
follow figure skating, it was like watching Scott Hamilton or Brian Boitano
fall down. They just never do it. They always perform perfectly, so when a
mistake is made, it is a shock! Terry made several obvious mistakes, causing
him to look down at his guitar a few times. It's possible there was a problem
with it, I'm not a musician so I couldn't tell. But he always performes
flawlessly so we in the audience were open mouthed in surprise!
As a series of mistakes unfolded, something happened to the band. It was almost
as if collectivly they figured they had nothing to lose. Rick put his foot up
on a riser and started talking to Barry. Someone lit a fire under Mike
Heffernen, he was amazing! I've never seen him perform like that, and it was an
eyeopener. After he finished one part, Rick mouthed "Show off" to him, which
caused the audience to applaud. He got applause several times for his keyboard
skills throughout the concert. It almost seemed that he was taking up the slck
caused by whatever problem Terry seemed to be having. I have never seen the
band looser, and it made for a wonderful, fun concert!
Of course the newsgroupers were in high spirits anyway! Lynn Ackermann had
bought a beautiful birthday cake from all us of and put it on the stage during
intermission. Due to fire codes we couldn't light it, but Barry told me to open
it up so that Gordon could see it. It felt like we were placing an offering on
the altar of the Gods. We would have sacrificed a virgin, but Darin wouldn't
agree to do it. Weenie!
Between a couple of songs, GL acknowledged the newsgroup. I don't have the
exact words, I'll have to wait for Darin to check in whhen he reaches
Minnisota. That is if someone didn't sacrifice him on the way. It was a thrill
for us, and we made our presence known! Since we used the Canary Yellow Canoe
on our Tshirts and cake, he commented on the Canary Yellow group and said "We
used to do that song". It's probably a good thing that he didn't that night as
our excitement might have been too much for the walls of Massey Hall. I have
never seen a group of more enthusiatic fans! Very hard to believe that many of
us are parents.
Saturday's concert was probably the most fun for all of us, it was "less than
vinyl perfect". The band made this one to remember, the mistakes were there,
not apollogised for, and more than compensated for by an excellent team of
musicians. The song that "shined" this evening was Alberta Bound, even thought
he verse about the skyline of Toronto was absent. I'm sure Alberta (who is
probably sick of me calling her Alberta Bound) was happy.
There was the sadness of knowing that it is the last concert of the series and
that then party was over. It does help to ease that sadness when I'm already
holding tickets to my next 2 concerts, and knowing that I'm going with several
newsgroupers. I think I sholuld probably at least bring my suitcase in from the
car before I post about going to Orillia, the trivia contest, and how much I
appreciated what everyone did for me!
Jenney
Hershey102
>was the night that was being taped too.
Do you mean it was taped professionally for use later?
Duff
Andy T.
>>was the night that was being taped too.
>
>Do you mean it was taped professionally for use later?
Well, shortly before the show started, a rumour passed our way that GL was
making a "real" recording of the show. It seemed to me that everyone was
trying really hard to get everything perfect, but "choking under pressure"
instead. I really enjoyed the concert though, it showed that Gord and the band
are human after all! Mike Heffernan just went wild on the keyboards, and
Terry went off-key on more than a couple solos. And Gord flubbed lines in more
than a couple of songs. But like Jenney said, they nailed Alberta Bound, and
Painter as well.
Back to the question of recording.....I think they really did record it. At
one point Gord asked - on-mike something like "You doing okay back there Bob?"
I'm wondering if he meant Bob Doidge whom he worked with on APPT.
HOWEVER...... I remember reading a story here a long long time ago about
someone asking Gord if he could record a show he did at a club back in the
pre-band days of the 60s, and was allowed to. Gord then proceded to mess up a
lot of songs. After the show, Gord was so ticked off they he supposedly
personally erased the tape so no record of that night existed. Makes me
wonder what he did with the tape from this last Massey show. Regardless, I'm
quite certain it will not be released unless they record some more shows and
pick and choose the best of them all.
As for the show in general, I thought it was great. I liked that Gord said he
was supposed to come to our get-together but was "otherwise detained" and
commented on our Canary Yellow Canoe shirts. (they came out great, Darin, by
the way!!!) At least he acknowledged us on stage! I wonder what the rest of
the crowd thought when our little "section" cheered enthusiasticly.
'twas great to meet you all there in person!
Hope you all got home safetly!
andy
"May this world find a resting place,
where Peaceful Waters flow...."
Tcquinn1
<<Terry made several obvious mistakes, causing him to look down at his guitar a
few times. It's possible there was a problem with it, I'm not a musician so I
couldn't tell.>>
I noticed that during the Thursday show as well. As a guitar player myself,
during many years of Lightfoot concerts, my secondary focus (after Gord) has
always been Terry.
During one tune, I don't remember which, Terry actually stopped playing his
acoustic guitar, looked closely at the neck and seemed to be rubbing his finger
and thumb along the 6th string. At first I thought he broke a guitar string,
but he resumed playing after just a few seconds. I am not sure if anyone else
noticed that on Thursday. .
Still, Terry was a joy to watch. During the song "Restless" in the second set,
I heard his harmonics better than ever (even better than the recording on WFY).
That just added to an already beautiful ballad.
Reading everyone's recollections on the Friday and Saturday adventures really
made me wish I could have attended those concerts as well.
Many of you who were at the Delta Chelsea might remember my 4 year old daughter
Angela running around the Chelsea Bun lounge on Thursday before the show. I
could not get her to settle down and I was genuinely worried about how she
would behave at the concert.
Could I have made a mistake even bringing her? Well she definitely quelled
those concerns. During the Thursday show, my 4 year old daughter sat quietly
and was transfixed on Gord throughout the entire performance. Her only
disappointment was that Gord did not play "Country Singer" on Thursday. Since
that show, she has asked several times to "Go see Gordon? Go see Gordon?"
And it must have been quite an experience to hear Gord acknowledge the
newsgroup and the T-shirts!
Tim
(Looking forward to the spring when Gord makes another swing through the North
East US, at least I assure my daughter and son that we will "See Gordon
again").
JenRivard
>that show, she has asked several times to "Go see Gordon? Go see Gordon?"
I know exactly how she feels! I keep saying the same thing!
Jenney
lilymarlena
occasional concert when someone's child was totally out of control, and
the parents seem to think it's cute. Your children were really good,
and as Jenney said, that certainly is no accident.
You looked so wistful on Saturday morning, I wish we could have found a
way for you to stay and see the rest of the concerts. maybe next
time, eh? :))
My love to Angela and Timmy. And to you and your wife too!
lynn
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DStone6029
He has been a HUGE fan of Gordon's all of his life. Has met him many times,
spoke to him on his phone, etc. He would appreciate any info you can send him
re: Gordon. Thank you so much.
RikS...
>than a couple of songs. But like Jenney said, they nailed Alberta Bound, and
>Painter as well.
>
painter yes, but didnt he skip the line about 'The Skyline Of Toronto'
in "Alberta Bound"? i was listening and waiting for the crowd to
explode on that line but seems like it got lost. did i just miss it?
cheers!
ran...@europa.com
GL web page http://www.europa.com/~random7
.... Seven Islands To The High Side Of The Bay If You're Looking West...
ROBERT LEBLANC-ROSS
believe he started omitting it since the Olympic opening ceremonies in
Calgary some years back. Not too good for young children to hear, even
though the lyrics are still truthful today.
Robert
" ...big blue moved alone, for a mighty blue was he...."
Pilgrim
year in Pennsylvania and Terry came on wearing what looked like house
slippers and seemed to have trouble several times with his guitar even
removing the capo at one point.
I have seen GL and TC play many times since 1974 and I never recall this
much trouble during a set with any guitar. Well, there was that time in
Atlanta in the mid-80's but that was due to Lightfoot's condition at the
time.
Is there something going on with TC?
By the way, Rick Haynes was the same as he's always been, at least from
where I sat. - Jim
ROBERT LEBLANC-ROSS
Canadian, and wish the part of the Toronto skyline was in it (you know it is
on the albums...), but to keep it flowing, and to be the kind-hearted person
that Gord is, he is just trying to be reasonable (at least that's how I see
it). Oh well, many more songs to love than worry about just one..
Robert
"...and if you got the money, you can get yourself a honey, with a written
guarantee to make you smile. But it's snow'in in the city, and the streets
are brown and pretty, and I know there's pretty girls all over town...but
they never seem to find me, and the one I left behind me, is the reason
that I'll be Alberta Bound......" :)
Mark
Thanks,
Mark
"ROBERT LEBLANC-ROSS" <robert.le...@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:HWe_3.3645$sy5....@news20.bellglobal.com...
> Gordon doesn't put that line in the song any more, and probably justly
so...
JenRivard
>slippers
He was wearing those in Massey in 1998 too. I wasn't close enough to see what
he had on his feet this time.
Jenney
Richard Harison
--
Best Wishes,
Richard Harison
rhar...@bmts.comnews:9Xm_3.62844$up3....@news21.bellglobal.com...
Dan Star
them make mistakes kind of lets me know that they aren't perfect either;
made the show interesting. BTW I thought Gord's voice was great.
--Dan
zig_h...@my-deja.com
> Something happened with Terry Clements while
all this was goping on
I couldn't agree more. I've been going to Gord's
concerts since the early 70's and I've never heard
Terry make so many mistakes and I don't know why.
I can only speculate. He seemed to be
experimenting with different progressions and
they didn't work out. Maybe I'm wrong, I don't
know. Anybody have any other opinions?
After Pony Man (that Terry
destroyed) Gord said something to him. Maybe I
should seek Terry out (we both live in Newmarket
Ontario) and ask him.
It is wonderful that after all these years, with
the exception of Mike, that the band has remained
intact. I still miss Pee Wee.
What I do appreciate about Gord's singing is
that as he has grown older and his voice has
changed, he knows his limitations and doesn't go
beyond them. I too would of loved to of heard
Seven Island suite, but as he said, that's a real
hard one. Too bad it's my favourite of all his
songs.
The Trans Canada Trail that opens in 2000 goes
through Orillia Ontario. A section of that trail
is being named in Gord's honour.
Zig
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.
JenRivard
>the exception of Mike, that the band has remained
>intact. I still miss Pee Wee.
Even Mike, the "new guy" has been with the band for years. It makes you thinkt
that the guys enjoy the music, and each other. I overheard Rick saying to
someone that he had been with Gordon for over 30 years. He said that he
wouldn't be there if he didn't like the music and the man. I always wonder if
the band knows how much we appreciate and admire them too. I love watching
Ricks facial expressions.
Pee Wee was in the audience on Saturday night at Massey. So even if he isn't
playing with the group anymore, he must still stay in touch.
> The Trans Canada Trail that opens in 2000 goes
>through Orillia Ontario. A section of that trail
>is being named in Gord's honour.
I'm sensing another road trip in 2001!!
Jenney
lilymarlena
THERE, Jenney?
RikS...
the rest? having seen GL miss this line before, i think he simply
forgets the rest of the song maybe? it is a fast paced song and is so
busy, can be easy to miss.
sigh, i was just waiting for him to sing it but instead recognized the
ending chords. a soft ending, if u will, not the rushing end i
expected...
On Tue, 23 Nov 1999 02:26:13 GMT, "ROBERT LEBLANC-ROSS"
<robert.le...@sympatico.ca> wrote:
>Easy Kev, just posting a point of view, and a little understanding. I am
>Canadian, and wish the part of the Toronto skyline was in it (you know it is
>on the albums...), but to keep it flowing, and to be the kind-hearted person
>that Gord is, he is just trying to be reasonable (at least that's how I see
>it). Oh well, many more songs to love than worry about just one..
>
>Robert
>
>"...and if you got the money, you can get yourself a honey, with a written
>guarantee to make you smile. But it's snow'in in the city, and the streets
>are brown and pretty, and I know there's pretty girls all over town...but
>they never seem to find me, and the one I left behind me, is the reason
>that I'll be Alberta Bound......" :)
>
>