Saturday March 3, 2007
Niagara Falls, Ontario
Fallsview Casino
Gordon Lightfoot – 9:00 p.m.

Set List:

Triangle
Cotton Jenney
14K Gold
Never Too Close
Waiting For You
Rainy Day People
Shadows
Beautiful
Carefree Highway
Hangdog Hotel Room
Ribbon of Darkness
Sundown
The Wreck of The Edmund Fitzgerald
Alberta Bound
All The Lovely Ladies
In My Fashion
If You Could Read My Mind
Restless
Canadian Railroad Trilogy
Baby Step Back
ENCORE
Old Dan’s Records

We didn’t hear any songs from Harmony and Early Morning Rain was missing.

I attended with Dan and Nanci from Hamburg, NY and Brian from the Sarnia area and my daughter Lisa.

The venue at the Fallsview Casino had the most incredible sound..everything was so clear! It seemed like an almost full house and for the most part the crowd was pretty subdued and quiet for the last of three shows.
There was the occasional clap-along and exuberant applause as well as a few shout outs for specific songs.
Lightfoot didn’t have a lot to say between songs probably because as a casino show there’s only about 80 minutes to get in as many tunes as possible! Not nearly long enough but we gladly take what is given!
The band, as usual, was impeccable in the integral part they have in all Lightfoot music. My goodness what an ensemble he’s been blessed to have with him for so long. After all these years it’s very comforting to see them file onstage before The Man himself ambles out.

One story I hadn’t heard before was about Gord at 17 borrowing his dad’s car for the first time and driving from Orillia to the Falls. That would make it the year I was born – 1955! Lol
He proudly pointed out which way the Falls were from inside the theatre as he’d just figured it out! I had to believe him because I had no idea the direction we were facing once inside the casino..Oh my goodness – what a place!

After the concert we went to the front of the stage where the band members and some family/friends were. Barry Harvey was there and we said hi to him. He very graciously let us stay and wait to see Gord.

There were only a few folks talking with the band and after a bit Gord came in and spoke with us. He signed autographs for a few people with his own Sharpie he pulled out of his pants pocket and was very, very relaxed and friendly. We took some pics of everyone and finished up our visit after about 20 minutes or so.
After Gord finished talking with everyone he just tucked his pen back in his pocket and walked out of the theatre..
Gord has left the building!
LOL

I really can’t express how treasured these concerts are for me knowing that sooner than later it will not be possible to see The Man in concert any longer. Hopefully that time is a few years off and will be on his terms at Massey Hall.
I know I’ll be there and at any other shows I can get to before then.

As we drove by a sign for a park on our way to the Fallsview – it said Chippewa.., I immediately went to the lyric – “The Legend lives on from the Chippewa on down..” and thought it perfectly apropos for us to be there to listen to our own Legend in the land of the Chippewa where Niagara Falls, another Canadian icon is located.

And as usual it was a time made even more precious to me because of the company of friends – fellow Lightheads for sure but mostly good friends.

If you can, in any way possible this year, get yourself to at least one Lightfoot concert..Go with family and friends and hold onto the feelings you’ll have as you listen to the songs that define our lives, the musical legacy that still protectively envelops us through tough times and joy, with tenderness and beauty.

The magic of our Lightfoot memories are held close in our hearts and the reality of a life given to fans who now attend as much to give heartfelt thanks as we do to hear the music, are what keeps The Man onstage.

Go and tell him..with your presence, your applause and if possible with a handshake and a simple “thanks Gord.”

You’ll feel SO good…
I promise.

Photos courtesy of Dan R.

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[ March 06, 2007, 13:38: Message edited by: charlene ]

Glad you made it through the 'ice attack'.

I can certainly vouch for the rewards that come with taking the time and spending the money to see him. It's a bargain.

I do have a question :

I may be way off base here, but I sensed a bit more melancholy in the tone of your post (nicely expressed as always) than previous reviews. Was there anything in particular that was different ?

Ron, I think you're right - as i re-read it to myself before posting I did get that sense myself. I imagine it's a bit of wistfulness about the eventuality of there coming a time when we will not have a Lightfoot show to attend, wherever we may live..

that I'd attend every show he has from now till quitting time if I could..

that good friends attending with me make these occasions so much sweeter and that once again through life's setbacks (and rebounds) there is and always has been Lightfoot.

and I am grateful for it all.

Very cool Char, nicely written and nice pics.

Bill :)

A beautiful review Charzo! Lisa looks wonderful! Great picture with Gord.
Bill

You would have been impressed by the sound - even to my untrained ear I could hear a major difference..Terry said I probably heard him 'improvising' along the way.
AS if I'd know the difference!
lol
That's where you guys would know the technical/musical stuff more than I.

Thanks for the post. I noticed that melancholy note in your post, too, but thought it was just because you wrote exactly what I felt when we saw him here in So California a month ago. You know the inevitable is coming but wish you could forestall it. I don't really remember a time without going to see him & it's always been a highlight in my year. I realize how fortunate I've been to be able to see him as often as I have when I see others post that he hasn't been in their neck of the woods for ages. I said after these last concerts here that as long as he keeps coming out here, I'll be there to see him but it becomes more & more bittersweet.

Great review and nice pics as usual Charlady...

You all look great. Must have been a fun evening. :)

Hi Charlene,

Loved the review and the pictures are amazing. You're so lucky you got to meet him.

Hey Kerstin,

How are you? Are you in Germany right now?

BTW, beleive me this is not the first time Charlene has met Gordon Lightfoot. Ask her about it sometime...

She follows him like stink on a skunk!!! lol Right Char?... :D :)

Hi Kerstin,

did I get that straight - you're German? If so - Gruesse aus Minnesota von einem weiteren deutschen G.L. Fan :)

Do I follow him or does he follow me?
lol
Well with Niagara Falls just down the road a bit and some good friends to pick me up at the end of the train line it seemed too good to pass up a chance to see him in a setting like that...and I'm very glad I did! Very glad indeed..and the smile on my face attests to that fact!

Yes, please please charlene Tell me your Lightfoot stories. How many times did you get to meet him?
Does your daughter like his music,too?

HI Claudia,
yes I am German. Greetings from Hamburg.

Yes, my daughter likes Lightfoot music. She's been to many concerts and has met him many times as well. She has very good taste in music!
lol
At least one of my two kids does!

I think the best thing is to go to the SEARCH feature and search "Char" (34) or "Charlene" (115) or Char1" (641)to read stories/reviews etc. that I've posted since 1999/2000.(3343 posts total)

Lots of others who post here have fabulous stories of meetings with Lightfoot, concert reviews etc. as well..
Take a weeks vacation and catch up on your reading! lolol


good luck!
lol

great stuff, my fave word in your post was 'rebounds'...everyone looks wonderful:)

thanks for sharing the savoured experience as always, char!

A wonderful review Char. Please keep them coming and the pics too. You do have a flair for writing. As I read all the comments it is the first time I've heard(read)'stink on a skunk'. I cant wait to try and fit that in at work. Oh wait it might loose something in translation to french Oh well there lose. Pepe Le Pew

hey, pepe - email on fritz until i free up space (didn't realize my hard drive was where all my email archives went to, i though it was on some sympatico server that i rented space from, eh)

i heard all went well on your reunion gig, way to go - i detoured off the trans can hwy on a trek and got to take in some of our minstrel Ron assortment of very fine tunes although i mostly talked my head off with him for a few hours continously, had years of catchin up to do - hope next time you and char and kenny and whoever else available can all chum along - i trust Ron home in fine form and already out playin endless sets to the astute passerby or to the gathering masses

+ looking forward to next GL gig and/or chareview! - actually, any review from any fan:)

ok, where's that format c:\drive key?