Red Bank, NJ (4/22/07)

[JeffreyS821]

Went to the show in Red Bank, NJ. The band was as tight as ever but Lightfoot sounded like he was being choked. I really wish he'd get rid of that capo. Still, it was a VERY cozy show and as usual, they sounded fantastic.


Set list (out of order):

1. Cotton Jenny
2. Carefree Highway
3. Sea Of Tranquility
4. The Watchman's Gone
5. Clouds Of Loneliness
6. If You Could Read My Mind
7. Ribbon Of Darkness
8. Sundown
9. The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald
10. 14 Karat Gold
11. In My Fashion
12. Waiting For You
13. A Painter Passing Through
14. Early Morning Rain
15. Shadows
16. Triangle
17. Baby Step Back
18. Hangdog Hotel Room
19. Blackberry Wine
20. Restless
21. Rainy Day People
22. Make Way For The Lady
23. The Pony Man
24. Never Too Close
25. Old Dan's Records (Encore)


GV

[ April 23, 2007, 11:34: Message edited by: gretschviking1967 ]

[gretschviking1967]

Went to the show in Red Bank, NJ. The band was as tight as ever but Lightfoot sounded like he was being choked. I really wish he'd get rid of that capo. Still, it was a VERY cozy show and as usual, they sounded fantastic.


Set list (out of order):

1. Cotton Jenny
2. Carefree Highway
3. Sea Of Tranquility
4. The Watchman's Gone
5. Clouds Of Loneliness
6. If You Could Read My Mind
7. Ribbon Of Darkness
8. Sundown
9. The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald
10. 14 Karat Gold
11. In My Fashion
12. Waiting For You
13. A Painter Passing Through
14. Early Morning Rain
15. Shadows
16. Triangle
17. Baby Step Back
18. Hangdog Hotel Room
19. Blackberry Wine
20. Restless
21. Rainy Day People
22. Make Way For The Lady
23. The Pony Man
24. Never Too Close
25. Old Dan's Records (Encore)


GV

[ April 23, 2007, 11:34: Message edited by: gretschviking1967 ]

[RM]

GV,

Thanks for passing that along. The capo issue may never be resolved. I was wondering what you meant by the "VERY cozy show" comment. The venue size ? crowd ?

[JeffreyS821]

All Lightfoot concerts are cozy. The ethereal light show along with the volume and pace, songs etc. The atmosphere is always relaxed.

[ April 23, 2007, 13:17: Message edited by: gretschviking1967 ]

[gretschviking1967]

All Lightfoot concerts are cozy. The ethereal light show along with the volume and pace, songs etc. The atmosphere is always relaxed.

[ April 23, 2007, 13:17: Message edited by: gretschviking1967 ]

[RJ]

Gord without the capo?..
Sure fellas..
Maybe in an alternate universe..
What exactly is the "capo issue" anyway..
I don't get it..

[RM]

Originally posted by RJ:
What exactly is the "capo issue" anyway..
I don't get it.. As I see it, the "capo issue" concerns Lightfoot's current voice strength. Should it be placed differently or discarded to avoid him sounding like he is being 'choked'.

[RJ]

50 years defining a guitar style dude..
aint gonna happen..

He did say in some interview somewhere not too long ago however, when asked if he'd do anything diff'ernt if he was startin out all over again today, something to the effect that he'd "do it without the capo".. which surprised me quite a bit, but definitely implied that he's pretty well stuck with it, at this point in the proceedings.. etc..

[ April 23, 2007, 14:35: Message edited by: RJ ]

[RJ]

I can't find where he mentioned that, but here's a couple interesting things about life with the capo..

http://www.acweekly.com/view.php?id=3159

http://gordonlightfoot.com/ExclusiveInterviewByVal.shtml

[RM]

Originally posted by RJ:
He did say in some interview somewhere not too long ago however, when asked if he'd do anything diff'ernt if he was startin out all over again today, something to the effect that he'd "do it without the capo".. which surprised me quite a bit, but definitely implied that he's pretty well stuck with it, at this point in the proceedings.. etc.. At this point, I wish he had done it without a capo. Then we wouldn't have to keep revisiting the 'capo issue'.

[RJ]

Ya maybe you're right..
eheheheheheh..
good one..

[ April 23, 2007, 15:18: Message edited by: RJ ]

[RM]

You're gonna see him in Cedar Rapids.....right ? Afterwards, let us know if your opinion has changed about the 'capo issue'.

[RJ]

Okie doke..
Looking forward to that one..
I think I'm in the front row..
and bringing a friend of mine along who loves Gord..
can't wait to see the look on her face when we get to the seats etc..
See ya there..

[JackieColtac]

I don't think lowering or removing the capo would make things better. Listen to his rendition of Red Velvet. I prefer him reaching hard for the notes to singing lower than he should. His voice is distinctive, thinner now, but I think he should leave things as they are

[banjobench12]

I don't think lowering or removing the capo would make things better. Listen to his rendition of Red Velvet. I prefer him reaching hard for the notes to singing lower than he should. His voice is distinctive, thinner now, but I think he should leave things as they are

[Station Master]

Originally posted by banjobench12:
...I prefer him reaching hard for the notes...yeah, i find those moments have a viceral affect on me...I first noticed this while listening to studio version of Only Love Would Know - one particular section gets me right on the edge of my seat and my face winces along with him

and even listening live I'd be on the edge of my seat if he sounded like he were choking, mainly cos I'd be ready to spring to the stage and do the heimlich

hmm, i've never seen never too close ever so close to the end of the eve before

thanks for the review and set - i agree about losing the capo, however maintaining the same key and get that longer string sound and to not choke that guitar neck...anyhow, it's all good/Gord

RJ, i always liked that article and interview...I believe Gord said during the 1999 MuchMoreMusic Tv interview that he'd had 'capo regrets' and wished he'd learned without, like Dylan, etc ...it would be nice of those are the only type of regrets most folks had in life, eh? :)

[jj]

Originally posted by banjobench12:
...I prefer him reaching hard for the notes...yeah, i find those moments have a viceral affect on me...I first noticed this while listening to studio version of Only Love Would Know - one particular section gets me right on the edge of my seat and my face winces along with him

and even listening live I'd be on the edge of my seat if he sounded like he were choking, mainly cos I'd be ready to spring to the stage and do the heimlich

hmm, i've never seen never too close ever so close to the end of the eve before

thanks for the review and set - i agree about losing the capo, however maintaining the same key and get that longer string sound and to not choke that guitar neck...anyhow, it's all good/Gord

RJ, i always liked that article and interview...I believe Gord said during the 1999 MuchMoreMusic Tv interview that he'd had 'capo regrets' and wished he'd learned without, like Dylan, etc ...it would be nice of those are the only type of regrets most folks had in life, eh? :)

[SilverHeels]

...it would be nice if those are the only type of regrets most folks had in life, eh? >>

Amen to that, JJ!
Bru

[Paul Farnham]

I'm going to the Harrisburg show tomorrow night. Some of the discussion I've read here re: the vocal deterioration of late fills me with a degree of trepidation. Like I should hope for the best while being prepared for the worst. I saw him last in '02 before the aneurism and he was fine. The only thing I noticed was that he didn't go for the high pitches at the end of "Beautiful" ( I left the theatre that evening after a nice 15 minute conversation with him and autographs on both Gord's Gold volumes, so I let that slide!).
Several years ago I read in answer to the question "Whatever happened to Perry Como?": "At some point, every singer stops singing." Gord has clearly determined that that point has not yet arrived for him. I don't think he needs the money, nor do I think he needs to further cement his legacy. Conclusion: he's doing it for us.

[charlene]

Conclusion: he's doing it for us. [/QB]That's what he has said - It's all about performing for the fans and the fun he is now having onstage..weird chords and all!

Char

[charlene]

Conclusion: he's doing it for us. [/QB]That's what he has said - It's all about performing for the fans and the fun he is now having onstage..weird chords and all!

Char

[Gitchigumee]

I've been trying to find the quote--I had thought that it was attributed to Mark Twain--that there is something unique about hearing a song (or story read)from the author or originator. Of course, he's not in top voice like he was thirty years ago, but he can still put his songs across--look even as recently as Live 8 and how he did IYCRM-solo. Why not take the opportunity to see him live? It won't be forever.

[imported_Next_Saturday]

I've been trying to find the quote--I had thought that it was attributed to Mark Twain--that there is something unique about hearing a song (or story read)from the author or originator. Of course, he's not in top voice like he was thirty years ago, but he can still put his songs across--look even as recently as Live 8 and how he did IYCRM-solo. Why not take the opportunity to see him live? It won't be forever.

[SilverHeels]

Well, he better last out until 2008!
:)

[CanadaGirl38]

I was wishing I had gone to the show in Red Bank, but seeing the list looks really close to the one two days ago I'm not too upset.

That theater - the Count Baise - is a wonderful building and about a 1400 seat venue. One of the last vaudeville places.

We saw Lightfoot there back in 1986 long before the voice issue/ capo issue. The sound then was terrific.

At the concert up in Sparta the acoustics were not a good as I had hoped.

[fezo]

I was wishing I had gone to the show in Red Bank, but seeing the list looks really close to the one two days ago I'm not too upset.

That theater - the Count Baise - is a wonderful building and about a 1400 seat venue. One of the last vaudeville places.

We saw Lightfoot there back in 1986 long before the voice issue/ capo issue. The sound then was terrific.

At the concert up in Sparta the acoustics were not a good as I had hoped.

[RM]

Originally posted by Paul Farnham:
Some of the discussion I've read here re: the vocal deterioration of late fills me with a degree of trepidation. Like I should hope for the best while being prepared for the worst. I felt the same way when I saw him in January. I had very good seats, but how that factors into the enjoyment I experienced is an unknown. If I had been in the back of the balcony, perhaps I too would be chiming in on the diminished voice. But, like fezo said, "It was unmistakably him", and I think that would have been good enough.

Looking forward to your review. There is no right or wrong.

[charlene]

Originally posted by fezo:
upset.

That theater - the Count Baise - is a wonderful building and about a 1400 seat venue. One of the last vaudeville places.

We saw Lightfoot there back in 1986 long before the voice issue/ capo issue. The sound then was terrific.

At the concert up in Sparta the acoustics were not a good as I had hoped. [/QB]I was at the Count Basie theatre in April 2002 to see Lightfoot - it was a lovely facility as was the Keswick in Glenside PA the next night.
I'm glad to have seen in him in some different venues after all the years at Massey..I was spoiled by the acoustics/sound there but have found most places I've been have been fabulous.

[charlene]

Originally posted by fezo:
upset.

That theater - the Count Baise - is a wonderful building and about a 1400 seat venue. One of the last vaudeville places.

We saw Lightfoot there back in 1986 long before the voice issue/ capo issue. The sound then was terrific.

At the concert up in Sparta the acoustics were not a good as I had hoped. [/QB]I was at the Count Basie theatre in April 2002 to see Lightfoot - it was a lovely facility as was the Keswick in Glenside PA the next night.
I'm glad to have seen in him in some different venues after all the years at Massey..I was spoiled by the acoustics/sound there but have found most places I've been have been fabulous.

[CanadaGirl38]

Most places.... yes, that would be accurate.

I've seen him at the Count Baise, at Caesar's in Atlantic City, Avery Fisher Hall (the night he started wring the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, Carnegie Hall (first time I saw him in 1971. Red Shea was still playing with him) and an unfortunate (acoustically) appearance in a gym at the County College of Morris. Great show but acoustically it sounded like a gym...

There's been more but those are what comes to mind.

[fezo]

Most places.... yes, that would be accurate.

I've seen him at the Count Baise, at Caesar's in Atlantic City, Avery Fisher Hall (the night he started wring the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, Carnegie Hall (first time I saw him in 1971. Red Shea was still playing with him) and an unfortunate (acoustically) appearance in a gym at the County College of Morris. Great show but acoustically it sounded like a gym...

There's been more but those are what comes to mind.

[Cathy]

You where at Red Bank 2002, Char? Why didn't you attend the infamous jam session?

[charlene]

Never knew about it..

[charlene]

Never knew about it..

[JeffreyS821]

He wouldn't have to play the songs any differently without a capo as he plays nothing but open chords anyway. He keeps the capo on the second fret and in the vocal world, that can make a HUGE difference. Losing the capo would bring his guitar playing down two frets (no problem there) and it would take his voice down to a comfortable range. He needs to bring the keys down a notch. That's all. The least the guy can do is try it in rehearsal and see where it goes. I'll bet you anything he'd sound a million times better.

[gretschviking1967]

He wouldn't have to play the songs any differently without a capo as he plays nothing but open chords anyway. He keeps the capo on the second fret and in the vocal world, that can make a HUGE difference. Losing the capo would bring his guitar playing down two frets (no problem there) and it would take his voice down to a comfortable range. He needs to bring the keys down a notch. That's all. The least the guy can do is try it in rehearsal and see where it goes. I'll bet you anything he'd sound a million times better.