Tampa-Char's Not Here????

[brink]

After the show last night we (Lori and Donnie) took a picture up to have Gord sign it for you Char. He looked puzzled and then said "Char's not here?" "But I sang that song for her, I'll Tag Along, she reuested it. Char's not here?"
Gord came out the beginning of the second set and played I'll Tag Along -- SOLO, for you Char, he didn't know that you didn't make it.

It was a fantastic show! Besides the I'll Tag Along solo, If Children, SFAWN, Alberta Bound, CRT, Watchman, My Little Love, and Ring Them Bells, among many others. Great variety of songs. The crowd loved him and he was really excited about the feedback that he was getting. In the middle of a set he noticed somebody place a CD to get signed, he signed it and gave it to the gal - during the concert - someone shouted out "You're all class" - isn't that an understatement?

[charlene]

Oh MY!! - but I have mentioned it to him a couple of times!
lol
Who knew he'd take it to heart! ack!
Maybe at Massey he'll do it again...I'll be there for sure!!
He's very sweet and a class act all the way - 100%.
I sure wish I'd have made it to hear it and to spend time with all of you..
Anyone make a set list???..he's sure mixing it up these days..
My family had a great time too and said the theatre was fabulous..as was Gord!

VIDEO from TAMPA- I'LL TAG ALONG: (courtesy of Lori) www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q863uzRYUak

[RM]

CHAR: I know you throw Ponyman in once in a while. What I’d like to hear is “I’ll Tag Along.”

G.L.: I know, see that’s a very nice song and it’s one of my favourite practice tunes as well to play when I’m working here alone at the house. I sometimes would like to do that to open up side two and I could think about doing that….maybe I’ll try that.

There ya go.

[Jesse Joe]

Char all those years of being a loyal fan has really been worth it, right ? You should invite him for dinner some times ? I wouldn't be surprise that he would accept. Or to have him at one of your Delta soiree in May, where he could meet a lot of Corfidians ?

Sir John once told me that he once did "Sit Down Young Stranger," and at the end he sang it, "John loves Susan does anyone love me." { instead of Mary}

I have to say it again Char... What a guy eh ! :)

[charlene]

Ask and ye shall receive..
lol
there ya go!
;)

[Jesse Joe]

From being friends with Ernie Coombs {Mr.Dress Up} to legend, Gordon Lightfoot. :biggrin: :)

[charlene]

I might have to pull out this old T-Shirt from 1975 to wear to Massey.
it seems quite apropos!
lol
On the back of the T-shirt is a list of songs with "Love" themes..and "Lovin' Me" is there. I can only imagine that it refers to "That's What You Get For Lovin' Me"

[Jesse Joe]

Looking good, Rebel Char ! :)

[Jesse Joe]

I also have a T-Shirt from 1976, where we had them made for the CB radio club we were in. The idea was to have our handle name stamp on the front. Since my handle was LIGHTFOOT, I had GORDON on the top part w/ guitar in center and LIGHTFOOT on the bottom. It is blue with white letterings. I always kept it... but boy was I skinny in 1976... lol :biggrin: :)

[charlene]

1975 was also the year I saw my first LIGHTFOOT concert at Massey..I was his for a song from the git-go!
lol

[RJ]

Just a couple quickie words about Thursday night's show at the beautiful Tampa Theater..

It was much fun.. Gord had a few trouble spots vocally which he made light of.. He mentioned (before Trilogy if I recall correctly) that he had to "rewrite some of the song" to find good notes etc.. which in fact he did.. he very creatively put some new melody lines in key places which was really fascinating (and a sign of things to come I do believe (i.e.. since we can't just take the capos off and/or transpose the tunes etc., why not rewrite'em! etc.)).. If Children Had Wings was really a cool addition this year, as was My Little Love which had an interesting arrangement with Barry playing only a shaker throughout (no drum on this one; it was quiet and thoughtful and acoustic).. Clouds of Lonliness knocks me out every time.. Oh, and get this, a solo Tag Along opened the 2nd side, very unexpected, very cool, which, though Gord fumbled the guitar phrasing a bit, was really a nice choice.. With a "We'll do the Dylan song" as introduction, Ring Them Bells was outstanding, and felt very moving to me.. As Gord closed out the 2nd set to disappear before the encore he grabbed both hands around his own throat and went, "AAACCCKKKK!!!" and then smiled warmly, acknowledging his vocal troubles.. everyone laughed and it was great fun.. (please folks, no more "Breaking news everybody! His voice isn't what it used to be!" postings etc.. yes.. we know that.. thank you.. he's acknowledged it, we're moving beyond that now.. and going ever onward.. etc.).. Terry clowned around through the entire show.. in fact, all the guys were more animated than any show I've ever seen.. I sense that perhaps the death of B.H. (and of course Gord's own troubles a few years back etc.) changed the chemistry in as much as the guys might feel a little like they're out there now on "borrowed time" if you will.. with nothin much t'lose, etc.. they were very relaxed and having a good time throughout.. I loved it.. I had a great time.. Hopefully it's onto Massey in May for me.. but after what I experienced in Tampa, I'll make every effort to see them again somewhere.. sometime.. I truly hope..

[charlene]

makes me wish I'd been there even more!!!..Brink said in an earlier post that it was a fab night..and I'd have loved to been there for the big solo of I'll Tag Along..
c'mon up to Massey!!

[RJ]

re: solo Tag Along to kick off the 2nd set..

Yes he comes walkin out all by himself with the Martin..
Made my little heart go thumpity-thump etc..
It was like the old days when he used to come out and sit down on that black stool and do East of Midnight etc..
Great stuff..

[charlene]

imagine my heart thumping!.. Maybe he'll do it at Massey - he KNOWS I'll be there every night for sure!!

http://www.corfid.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=18158

After the show last night we (Lori and Donnie) took a picture up to have Gord sign it for you Char. He looked puzzled and then said "Char's not here?" "But I sang that song for her, I'll Tag Along, she reuested it. Char's not here?"
Gord came out the beginning of the second set and played I'll Tag Along -- SOLO, for you Char, he didn't know that you didn't make it.

[johnfowles]

from:-
http://www.corfid.com/vbb/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=134850
Oh MY!! - but I have mentioned it to him a couple of times!
lol
Who knew he'd take it to heart! ack!
Maybe at Massey he'll do it again...I'll be there for sure!!
He's very sweet and a class act all the way - 100%.
I sure wish I'd have made it to hear it and to spend time with all of you..
Anyone make a set list???..he's sure mixing it up these days..
My family had a great time too and said the theatre was fabulous..as was Gord!
In effect CHar DID request 'I'll Tag Along"
after the previous night's concert in Orlando. I happened to say to Gord
something like
"CHar wants you to do I'll Tag Along again"
And it was a welcome surprise when at Tampa he sauntered out onto the stage accompanied only by his Martin and launched into a simply splendid solo rendition. He did in fact introduce it with an explanation that in the excitement I did not really note,
nor did anybody else that I could find on Saturday at Fort Pierce, but I have a strong feeling that it was along the lines of "this is
a request by CHar"
I'll be back with a few setlists (If I can decipher my handwriting and my one -bun two shoe memory system notes!!

[RJ]

I see..
In my excitement this morning to post my little review I missed that post; sorry guys..
Char gets Tag Along..
Claudia gets Sit Down Young Stranger (late last year in Duluth)..
The guy likes to please the girls apparently..
Lucky ducklings..

[podunklander]

Nice review RJ thanks

[charlene]

Sir John;
I guess you forgot to mention to Gord that I wasn't actually 'in the house'..
lol
During the radio show in December when I spoke to Gord I also talked with BarryK and he said 'he'd twist the boss's arm to get him to do it"..
lol
I can't remember the last time he did it in concert and if he did it solo..
But that video of him sitting on the Massey stage singing it is priceless..maybe he'll give it another go in May at Massey..
I sure hope so...

[Claudia]

I see..
In my excitement this morning to post my little review I missed that post; sorry guys..
Char gets Tag Along..
Claudia gets Sit Down Young Stranger (late last year in Duluth)..
The guy likes to please you girls apparently..
Lucky ducklings..



The 'secret' is the bright and charming smile RJ...We girl's practise this for year's, starting at a very early age. It pays....:p

[RJ]

I gotcha kid..
I see..

[charlene]

I think I just wore him down..
He said he loved my enthusiasm but maybe it was too much for him..
poor guy..gotta love him tho..
;)

[RM]

He mentioned (before Trilogy if I recall correctly) that he had to "rewrite some of the song" to find good notes etc.. which in fact he did.. he very creatively put some new melody lines in key places which was really fascinating

I noticed that when I listened to the Massey Hall recording from 2006. He changed the melody line on "Never Too Close". Good thinking.

[RJ]

re: Never Too Close..

Yes.. "and so we cried"..
it goes down instead of up like on the record..
He played with another line on Never Too Close the other night in Tampa too, which I'd never heard; can't remember which line, but it surprised me; I remember thinking, Hey! Cool!..
He did some subtle changes on some of the others last Thursday too that he didn't do through Duluth last year..
Those of you who see this year's sets, listen for new changes and let us know if ya hear any..

[Claudia]

RJ already did a fabulous review of the Tampa show and I can only whole heartily agree. It was a great evening, Gordon and the guys were obviously in great spirits and had fun.
The new songs brought some much needed fresh air into the show and the audience were very appreciative.
I really think that Gordon quite often underestimates his fans. Obviously most people want to hear the 'big' hits but are sure very open to other, less known, tunes.
"I'll Tag Along" and "Ring Them Bells" were clearly a very special treat and I only wished there would be a way to stop the time running by so fast. It was over way too soon...But in a few weeks I'm going to see them again here in Minnesota and after that: Massey Hall for the Friday & Saturday show!!!

My first time to see Gordon and the guys at Massey and I can't play it cool...I'm truly very excited and am looking very much forward to it.

[brink-]

Just a couple quickie words about Thursday night's show at the beautiful Tampa Theater..

It was much fun.. Gord had a few trouble spots vocally which he made light of.. He mentioned (before Trilogy if I recall correctly) that he had to "rewrite some of the song" to find good notes etc.. which in fact he did.. he very creatively put some new melody lines in key places which was really fascinating (and a sign of things to come I do believe (i.e.. since we can't just take the capos off and/or transpose the tunes etc., why not rewrite'em! etc.)).. If Children Had Wings was really a cool addition this year, as was My Little Love which had an interesting arrangement with Barry playing only a shaker throughout (no drum on this one; it was quiet and thoughtful and acoustic).. Clouds of Lonliness knocks me out every time.. Oh, and get this, a solo Tag Along opened the 2nd side, very unexpected, very cool, which, though Gord fumbled the guitar phrasing a bit, was really a nice choice.. With a "We'll do the Dylan song" as introduction, Ring Them Bells was outstanding, and felt very moving to me.. As Gord closed out the 2nd set to disappear before the encore he grabbed both hands around his own throat and went, "AAACCCKKKK!!!" and then smiled warmly, acknowledging his vocal troubles.. everyone laughed and it was great fun.. (please folks, no more "Breaking news everybody! His voice isn't what it used to be!" postings etc.. yes.. we know that.. thank you.. he's acknowledged it, we're moving beyond that now.. and going ever onward.. etc.).. Terry clowned around through the entire show.. in fact, all the guys were more animated than any show I've ever seen.. I sense that perhaps the death of B.H. (and of course Gord's own troubles a few years back etc.) changed the chemistry in as much as the guys might feel a little like they're out there now on "borrowed time" if you will.. with nothin much t'lose, etc.. they were very relaxed and having a good time throughout.. I loved it.. I had a great time.. Hopefully it's onto Massey in May for me.. but after what I experienced in Tampa, I'll make every effort to see them again somewhere.. sometime.. I truly hope..

I didn't know you were there, would have been great to meet you. Maybe next time.
brink (minnesota born and raised)

[brink-]

RJ already did a fabulous review of the Tampa show and I can only whole heartily agree. It was a great evening, Gordon and the guys were obviously in great spirits and had fun.
The new songs brought some much needed fresh air into the show and the audience were very appreciative.
I really think that Gordon quite often underestimates his fans. Obviously most people want to hear the 'big' hits but are sure very open to other, less known, tunes.
"I'll Tag Along" and "Ring Them Bells" were clearly a very special treat and I only wished there would be a way to stop the time running by so fast. It was over way too soon...But in a few weeks I'm going to see them again here in Minnesota and after that: Massey Hall for the Friday & Saturday show!!!

My first time to see Gordon and the guys at Massey and I can't play it cool...I'm truly very excited and am looking very much forward to it.


I need to read the board more often, I didn't know I missed meeting you too.

[brink-]

imagine my heart thumping!.. Maybe he'll do it at Massey - he KNOWS I'll be there every night for sure!!

http://www.corfid.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=18158

After the show last night we (Lori and Donnie) took a picture up to have Gord sign it for you Char. He looked puzzled and then said "Char's not here?" "But I sang that song for her, I'll Tag Along, she reuested it. Char's not here?"
Gord came out the beginning of the second set and played I'll Tag Along -- SOLO, for you Char, he didn't know that you didn't make it.

I do know how to spell REQUESTED....

[charlene]

I know you do Deb!
lol
you had jet lag and car fatigue and concert mania all at the same time..as well as heat exhaustion..
;)

[Claudia]

I need to read the board more often, I didn't know I missed meeting you too.

Hi Brink,

I'm sorry too....next time for sure, o.k.? I also wanted to meet DSR and somehow it didn't work out. I flew in that day and having left MN in an arctic cold, I was eager to go to the beach first...You certainly know what I mean..:cool:
So we arrived at the theater just in time to get one quick drink and then took our seats.

[Jesse Joe]

Thanks for sharing RJ and all who contributed to this thread. So that's where you were last week Sir J. Fowles. :)

[brink-]

Hi Brink,

I'm sorry too....next time for sure, o.k.? I also wanted to meet DSR and somehow it didn't work out. I flew in that day and having left MN in an arctic cold, I was eager to go to the beach first...You certainly know what I mean..:cool:
So we arrived at the theater just in time to get one quick drink and then took our seats.

I left home at -18 degrees and arrived in Orlando to a toasty 78. It was "warm" all weekend. Maybe next time!

[BILLW]

Guys & Gals,

Just a suggestion that's worked well for some of us. Before you leave on your trip, drive, walk to the venue, whatever travel mode you use - post your seat numbers. That way anyone who REALLY wants to see you can look you up.

My wife thought I was nutz the first time I did it (you know internet stalkers and the like, LOL) but it's always worked out quite well. It also helps separate the wheat from the chaff... If someone has your seat numbers and can't find you well I'd say they really didn't think it was worth the effort. And we've met some very nice folks that way.

Bill :)

[RJ]

Oh.. one more humorous little anecdote from the Tampa show for what it's worth..
right at the end (the false ending pause) of Ribbon of Darkness, before they launch into Sundown..
Lightfoot sings, "Come on home and take away..
this ribbon of darkness.." ... long pause etc..
and the guy two seats to the left of me..
sings very loudly (right on key fortunately).. OVER ME!!!
and the whole place cracks up, the band, and Gord too!..
It could have been embarrassing, but was actually a good laugh well-shared..
so that then when they did launch into the familiar E5 chord for Sundown about 3 seconds later than usual, Rick joins with the bass line etc..
the whole place sort of, joyfully erupted..
It was a fun moment..

[Jesse Joe]

Very good to hear this RJ, I can almost picture that. Gord & the boys seem to be having lots of fun.

[Melissa]

Can't remember the last time I posted here, so I hope I'm doing this right!
The Florida shows were really fun, and I'm so glad I decided to join my friends for the great adventure. The Tampa show was so full of energy. I don't remember the last time I saw Gord and the band so enthusiastic. Lots of fun moments, many of which have already been written about here. I, for one, had never seen Gord do a solo number in any of the concerts I've attended, and I've attended quite a few. So the solo "I'll Tag Along" to open the second set was incredibly special to me. Not only is the song one of my favorites, but Gord did an absolutely superb job of it - complete with some almost flawless fingerpicking that certainly set the record straight about his ability to still be able to do that. Not only have I loved Gord's music for more years than I care to admit, but I've always been fascinated watching his fingers make the strings on that D-18 sound so beautiful. I've spent years trying to copy him and, sadly, continue to fall short of that smooth, rhythmic pattern that he mastered long ago.

It was also great to hear some seldom-heard songs brought out of the vault. I'd read that "Pony Man" and "If Children Had Wings" had been brought into the mix this year, and was thrilled at the thought of hearing those in Florida. While "Pony Man" was left out of the two shows I attended, "Children" was included in both of them, and was absolutely beautiful. It's not an easy song to sing, with the first 2 lines of the chorus reaching up high and requiring some vocal strength in the way the notes move up and down the scale in an almost classically operatic way. Gord did an awesome job singing it. What a treat to hear that one. As I think about it, I don't believe I've ever heard that one in concert.

Another wonderful treat in Tampa was one I don't believe anyone here has mentioned. (If I'm mistaken about that, please forgive me!) We've grown accustomed to the usual encores, ODR, CRT, EMR, Blackberry. But on this night, when Gord and the guys returned to the stage after thunderous applause, Gord picked up the D-18 and did "Song For a Winter's Night" to my total surprise and sheer delight! That one has always been on my Top 10 list and I haven't heard Gord do it in quite a while. It was beautiful, and Gord's voice accompanied by those soft bells behind him was breathtaking.

Thanks for enduring a long ramble from a rare poster! It's fun to read all the things you guys have posted as this tour has gotten underway. I'm so thrilled that Gord has continued with his "Ever Onward" philosophy and is still out there giving us his wonderful music. As I write this, I realize that the first concert of his I ever attended was 30 years ago tonight. Wow.

Thank you, Gord, for all the wonderful memories - and all the music still to come.

Ever onward! ;)

Melissa in Austin, TX

[mnmouse]

Thanks for enduring a long ramble from a rare poster!
Melissa in Austin, TX

What a beautiful recollection of your experience in Tampa, Melissa, thank you so much for spending some time with us and sharing those thoughts. It is so good to hear how well Gord is doing and know he is still enjoying himself out there. The solo sounds awesome, as does an encore of Song For a Winter's Night...what a special treat for you to be there for a few of those rare moments!

Thanks again!
Sharron

[Jesse Joe]

I agree totaly with Sharon. (Mouse) You should post more often Melissa. :)

[Jesse Joe]

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q863uzRYUak

[Dream Street Rose]

Thank you Jesse Joe,

Listening to this and the others brought back wonderful memories of the past month.

DSR

[charlene]

I have some other T-shirts - none that are Lightfoot or Music oriented tho..I"ll have to go thru them and see what I have..not that any will fit tho...
;)

[johnfowles]

OK I had meant to post some comments on our Florida journey and setlists before this but better late than never eh??
In fact I tried hard to save each of the 4 concert's setlists , initially using my one:bun... two:shoe... three:tree memory aiding method
but I soon realised that having to think up new associations every night was leading to some mighty confusion.
Fortunately others have provided Wayne Francis with setlists for the Orlando
http://www.johnfowles.org.uk/lightfoot/images/orlando.jpg
and Fort Pierce concerts
However I can recall most of the memory clues I used at Gainesville and Tampa starting with not a round bun but a triangular one hence song 1=Triangle
so here is the setlist for:-
Gainesville 19 february 2008
Triangle
Cotton Jenny
14 Carat Gold
Never Too Close
In My Fashion
A Painter Pasing Through
Rainy Day People
Shadows
Beautiful
Carefree Highway
Hangdog Hotel Room
/13 medley Ribbon Of Darkness/Sundown
The Watchman's Gone
intermission
If Children Had Wings
The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald
Alberta Bound
Don Quixote
???? I am still working in this one!!!!!
Clouds Of Loneliness
Waiting For You
Minstrel Of The Dawn
If You Could Read My Mind
Baby Step Back
My Little Love
Canadian Railroad Trilogy
Old Dan's RecordsAnd Tampa 21 February 2008 was more or less:-
http://www.johnfowles.org.uk/lightfoot/images/tampa_theatre.jpg
Triangle
Cotton Jenny
14 Carat Gold
Never Too Close
In My Fashion
If Children Had Wings
A Painter Passing Through
Rainy Day People
Shadows
Beautiful
Carefree Highway
Hangdog Hotel Room
/14 Medley Ribbon Of Darkness/Sundown
Intermission
I'll Tag Along
The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald
Alberta Bound
Don Quixote
?(possibly) Early Morning Rain
Clouds Of Loneliness
Waiting For You
Ring Them Bells
If You Could Read My Mind
Baby Step Back
My Little Love
Canadian Railroad Trilogy
Song For A Winter's Night
Old Dan's RecordsOK we had a grand tour of the Sunshine State. it was hard to realise as we walked on beaches at over 80 F that it would still be around the freezing point not so very far north!
our constant companions were the Australian John Williamson and a lady in a box (a GPS Navigator) who soon was nicknamed "Bitch" because of her constant uttering of "u-turn" whenever we decided to take the scenic routes!! Actually she only made a pair of glaring errors:-
Approaching the Tampa Theatre area from Orlando on I4 I could plainly see (on an old fashioned thing called
a "map") that the quickest way was surely to take exit 44 on I275, but no we sailed by until we heard the inevitable "u-turn" at exit 42!
To be fair there was some construcion work in the area that maybe she knew about
To her credit though she directed us to "you have reached your destination" right by an on street parking space within visual range of the wonderful old theatre
http://www.johnfowles.org.uk/lightfoot/images/tampa_theatre.jpg
And her second error
She directed us into what was most likely the correct street name for the rental car return. Great but it was a cul-de-sac!!
http://www.johnfowles.org.uk/lightfoot/images/wowstars.gif
I like that animated graphic that's all

[Dream Street Rose]

Hello Sir John,

The sky graphic is truly wonderful. We also had a lady in a box with us and had about the same results. You have a good sense of humor. Thank you for the laugh. We enjoyed meeting you and your family. :)

DSR

[Jesse Joe]

This is very cool Sir !


http://www.johnfowles.org.uk/lightfoot/images/wowstars.gif

[podunklander]

Thank you Melissa :) and John :)

[Rainbow Trout]

Love those pics! Glad you had such a good time.

[johnfowles]

I have been thinking a lot as we prepare for another year's touring (to hopefully culminate inToronto again in November)
about our exciting mini-tour of Florida almost exactly one year ago to catch four of the five FL concerts, and meet in Tampa one of my oldest UK friends Alan Thacker who I met in my Foster's School,Sherborne Boarding House back in 1953 and who now owns a condo in Bradenton just to the South of Tampa, and who I made a GL fan many years ago
I was most pleased to get him the chance to meet Gord after the show

This morning I just hapenned to do one of my regular GL image searches and found this great photo now on the http://www.orlandofloridaguide.com website
http://www.orlandofloridaguide.com/images/ridenour/gordonlightfoot/IMG_5161.jpg
Gordon Lightfoot performing at The Bob Carr Perfoming Arts Center in Downtown Orlando on Feb. 20, 2008.
Photo by Steven Ridenour - Orlando Florida Guide - All Rights Reserved.

[Nightingale]

Wow! That's a great photo Sir John :)
It sounds like it was a great time for all of you. I am hoping to see him again this year at his Indiana dates.
I am really looking forward to it. Love the energy at his concerts and being in the same 'space' with him for awhile.

[charlene]

memories..