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charlene · 04-27-2007, 09:31 PM

Glenside PA paper
article:
http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/ne...7-1337619.html

Lightfoot happy to be alive

By ED CONDRAN
Bucks County Courier Times

Gordon Lightfoot isn't touring behind a disc on his current jaunt, which brings the Canadian singer-songwriter to the Keswick Theatre for a sold-out performance tonight.

“I'm just doing shows,” Lightfoot said while calling from his Ontario home. “I'm just pleased to be able to go out and perform before my fans.”

If the folk music world gave out a comeback award, Lightfoot, 69, would have scored some hardware. In 2002, he suffered a near fatal abdominal hemorrhage that left him in a coma for two months. Lightfoot recovered and recorded his 20th album “Harmony,” which was released in 2004.

However, Lightfoot will always feel the effects of the hemorrhage. His lung capacity has decreased. As a result, he can't sing all of the songs from his canon.

“The long phrases are difficult for me,” he said. “I have no room to breathe on some of these songs. I had muscle damage. I can't do songs like "Race Among the Ruins,' which has such long phrases. Every line in that song is a long sentence.”

But there are enough tunes in Lightfoot's massive repertoire that there will be plenty of tracks for him to choose from when he performs at the Keswick.

“I have many songs to draw from,” Lightfoot said. “I have 40 songs that are always instantly available. I'll do about 25 songs in (Glenside). Performances go by very quickly. I'm just glad to be out there able to do anything. I survived a burst artery. I could have died but I'm still here playing my songs. I'm very fortunate.”

Expect Lightfoot to render such classics as “Sundown,” “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” and “Early Morning Rain” at the Keswick.

“I know what people want to hear and I know what's going to work best with the crowd,” Lightfoot said. “Performing is a two-way street, which I have walked for a long time now.”

More than 40 years have passed since his debut disc “Lightfoot!” dropped.

“Longevity is a great thing,” Lightfoot said. “I've been able to do what I love for a long time. Whenever anyone can do that, it's a great life.”

Gordon Lightfoot appears tonight at the Keswick Theatre, Easton Road & Keswick Ave. in Glenside. Tickets are $39 and $46, although the show is listed as a sellout. Show time is 8 p.m. 215-572-7650.

04-27-2007, 09:31 PM	#1
charlene Moderator Join Date: May 2000 Posts: 16,001	Glenside PA paper article: http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/ne...7-1337619.html Lightfoot happy to be alive By ED CONDRAN Bucks County Courier Times Gordon Lightfoot isn't touring behind a disc on his current jaunt, which brings the Canadian singer-songwriter to the Keswick Theatre for a sold-out performance tonight. “I'm just doing shows,” Lightfoot said while calling from his Ontario home. “I'm just pleased to be able to go out and perform before my fans.” If the folk music world gave out a comeback award, Lightfoot, 69, would have scored some hardware. In 2002, he suffered a near fatal abdominal hemorrhage that left him in a coma for two months. Lightfoot recovered and recorded his 20th album “Harmony,” which was released in 2004. However, Lightfoot will always feel the effects of the hemorrhage. His lung capacity has decreased. As a result, he can't sing all of the songs from his canon. “The long phrases are difficult for me,” he said. “I have no room to breathe on some of these songs. I had muscle damage. I can't do songs like "Race Among the Ruins,' which has such long phrases. Every line in that song is a long sentence.” But there are enough tunes in Lightfoot's massive repertoire that there will be plenty of tracks for him to choose from when he performs at the Keswick. “I have many songs to draw from,” Lightfoot said. “I have 40 songs that are always instantly available. I'll do about 25 songs in (Glenside). Performances go by very quickly. I'm just glad to be out there able to do anything. I survived a burst artery. I could have died but I'm still here playing my songs. I'm very fortunate.” Expect Lightfoot to render such classics as “Sundown,” “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” and “Early Morning Rain” at the Keswick. “I know what people want to hear and I know what's going to work best with the crowd,” Lightfoot said. “Performing is a two-way street, which I have walked for a long time now.” More than 40 years have passed since his debut disc “Lightfoot!” dropped. “Longevity is a great thing,” Lightfoot said. “I've been able to do what I love for a long time. Whenever anyone can do that, it's a great life.” Gordon Lightfoot appears tonight at the Keswick Theatre, Easton Road & Keswick Ave. in Glenside. Tickets are $39 and $46, although the show is listed as a sellout. Show time is 8 p.m. 215-572-7650.