[The Rez]

Howdy Folks,

Just a few thoughts to compliment Sheryl's beutiful descriptives:

So pleased, from the first words, to hear how strong Gord's voice had become in the year since last years Cerritos Concert. Has it already been an entire year?

Shadows: 20 years ago, in Gord's Universal City hotel room, I asked him where the song had come from in his heart. I know where and why it lives inside me. His answer: "If I told you, then it wouldn't be yours anymore." Backstage Sat nite I reminded him of that long ago conversation. There's a reason Shadows is both sung by Gord and heard by me w/ eyes closed. His answer remains: "It's still yours, Rex, in "your" fashion." Indeed . . .

Ribbon of Darkness: As Sheryl mentioned, Gord's seque into Sundown was well received. To me, he did what few can do. He stopped Ribbon of Darkness on the unresolved "5" chord . . . just leaving it hanging in air for a time - a long time. I could see the twinkle clearly & wondered where he was headed. Edge of yer seat stuff . . .

Restless: "Connection" was the word . . . not "Communication" Another time of doing something few can do - holding and mainting audience absolute silence. To me, this is more a Wonderment than the thunder to follow.

It took me back 35yrs to The Universal Amphitheater - then open air. The lady I was w/ and I saw two empty seats upfront - not re-taken after intermission. We took 'em. T'was then Gord sang Affair on 8th Avenue. As he came to the end of the riddle . . . another time of sheer silence - not even breath. Can't say how long - but quite long, indeed.
To hold some 8 thousand+ people in rapt silence while waiting for him to resolve both the chord and the riddle - Wonderment.

Such was the silence of Restless - even after Gord touched his last string and Mike's high pedal tone suspension/drone carried thru to fade - just the one note. "Connection" was dangerously present.

Don Quixote: If Gord were ever to dispense w/ the two-count boot fill, I would be very saddened. Of all the fine lyrics from his pen across the years, to me this ranks as high as the best [which is impossible to define] Knowing how Gord views Cervante's character, this "tarnished cross" is always there - in many other lyrics - a Shadow.

Old Dan's Records: I'm very glad this song is on every show I've seen since it was new. "We're all here. We've all got dates. We'll dance all night to the 78s." Best rhyme a-goin' . . . right there w/ "Her name was Anne and I'll be damned . . . "

Early Mornin' Rain: A friend saw Gord in Redwood City. She said he sang "where the cold wind blows" instead of his original "a pain that ever grows." Tonight . . . the original.
I smiled for my friend.

Sit Down Young Stranger: Saved my thoughts here for last. I'd not heard Gord do this tune onstage in 35yrs. One precious time 20yrs ago in that hotel room, but not on stage.

From the first hearing on the LP all those years ago, I stood amazed at the touch of waiting to bring in Rick's bass until the key change. The most subtle yet spectacular mood shift I'd ever heard. With eyes closed - as were mine - you forget it's only Gord and Martin . . . then the awakening key change. Brilliant. T'was Gord's idea according to Rick. That song - that moment - alone was worth the proverbial price of admission.

A side note to Piano Guys like me: Mike always uses two synths. This night I hear some very familiar belcanto - he was using an original Yamaha DX7. The original DX7 came out in '83 and took over as keybord of preference for the performing musician from the Fender Rhodes. Mine sits at the foot of my bed. Chatting w/ Mike aftershow, he was tickled I knew the instrument and the sounds he used - all factory, no custom.

His Roland top board supplied all the wonderful orchestral sounds, but the DX7 was the workhorse last night. Just can't figure out why my DX7 won't play all the fine notes Mike's will. Strangest thing . . . peradventure a faulty synth [not]

I hurried backstage as the lights come up for I had to hurry home [I'm Caregiver to my Mama - she insisted I go] He was beaming w/ afterglow from a show well done.

As Sheryl said, Gord is always kind to us fans. I used to take my 3 sons to see him as often as possible when they were in their teens. They're in their 30s now. He remembers them well. A kind, good man . . . I never even wildly dreamed close to 40 years ago when I first saw him in trio at The Troubadore and old Golden Bear, that I'd one day come to know him. Thanks Jason Siever . . .

Blessings to each and all . . .

Breath deep . . . listen w/ eyes closed . . . and treasure our Gord.

The Rez