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johnfowles · 11-30-2004, 10:00 PM

Added 16 July 2007
Although this was at the time posted under my name it was actually written by my wife Susan who has since registered as gordlover

Wow! We had the good fortune of being able to witness Gord’s triumphant comeback on the stage of Hamilton Place on Sunday and Monday nights. We wanted to share our perspective with our “net people” friends who were unable to join us.

We (John, Susan and Joan) drove up on Saturday with a stop off over the border to view Niagara Falls before continuing into Hamilton where we met up with Lightpals old and new. After a nice evening of socializing, and a “restless” night of anticipation, we headed over to the venue neighborhood on Sunday and met up with 25+ badge-bearing “net people” at Walt’s Beanery and Taps to “drink our glasses empty” and share our love of Lightfoot over dinner. See sample badge below or at:

Soon it was time to head over to Hamilton Place. The theater is beautiful with wonderful acoustics, seating about 2,000 without losing that warm, intimate feeling that we all long for when Gord’s on stage. The Good Brothers opened for Gord promptly at 7:30 both nights and provided an entertaining 40-minute set. (Word to the wise: “Don’t pet the dog!) They concluded with thanks to Gord for graciously allowing them to close with “Alberta Bound”, a tradition for them.

After a 20-minute intermission to reset the stage, the Lightfoot Band trooped onto the stage to a swelling applause, followed by Gord who arrived at center stage to a standing and extended ovation. Gord opened with a medley of Spanish Moss and Let It Ride. Others have posted the set lists, so no need to repeat them.

Gord was regally clad in a deep purple shirt and a very gorgeous vest, purple with a muted paisley print on the front of it, boots and verrrry nicely fitting black jeans (repeat ladies, verrrry nicely fit). He looked magnificent! (N.B. This paragraph is the opinion of Susan and provided for the benefit of Gord’s many admirers who might be wondering!)

Just a few observations for what they are worth:

Sunday night’s concert was “ecstasy made easy”—Gord’s performance of four songs from the Harmony album really proved to us that he has indeed recovered. We all know that Gord cut the tracks for Harmony in the months before his illness; his rendition of each of them on Sunday night matched the sound of the album tracks in Gord’s usual faithful manner and was soooooo reassuring.

One wonderful surprise was Gord’s inclusion of Sit Down Young Stranger (Susan’s all-time favorite), and he nailed it! Brought Susan to tears and still does if she tries to talk about it.

Wasn’t even going to bring it up since it was essentially a non-issue, but for the record, since it was mentioned in another review, Gord did have a momentary problem with his right hand, put it behind his back to give it a few shakes while continuing to play the chords with his left hand, then continuing on; the band, in their usual tight, professional manner, didn’t miss a beat. Nothing to be alarmed about and very much to Gord’s credit that he kept his cool and carried on. He’s fine.

The concert was wonderful. It was soooooo good to see Gord again. He seemed to be pleased with himself, as observed in that special exiting saunter of his that suggests, “here comes Mr. Cool”. If you weren’t there, just close your eyes and picture that!

Monday night brought the treat of hearing Bitter Green, a song Gord had promised to sing for one of the many nurses that helped care for him. On the topic of nurses, there were numerous hospital staff in attendance, including his surgeon who wore a big grin. Gord expressed his gratitude to those who helped him on both nights and joked around somewhat about his experiences there.

We were very moved by the emotion of the occasion, such a miraculous event with credit due to all of those who helped Gord in his recovery. Especially pleasing was Gord’s reference to Rick Haynes as “my advocate”! Gord has a very loyal band, staff and crew, and we are very grateful to each and every one of them for sticking by him!

Susan and John

[ July 17, 2007, 11:15: Message edited by: johnfowles ]

11-30-2004, 10:00 PM	#1
johnfowles Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: New Jersey U.S.A. ex UK and Canada Posts: 4,846	Added 16 July 2007 Although this was at the time posted under my name it was actually written by my wife Susan who has since registered as gordlover Wow! We had the good fortune of being able to witness Gord’s triumphant comeback on the stage of Hamilton Place on Sunday and Monday nights. We wanted to share our perspective with our “net people” friends who were unable to join us. We (John, Susan and Joan) drove up on Saturday with a stop off over the border to view Niagara Falls before continuing into Hamilton where we met up with Lightpals old and new. After a nice evening of socializing, and a “restless” night of anticipation, we headed over to the venue neighborhood on Sunday and met up with 25+ badge-bearing “net people” at Walt’s Beanery and Taps to “drink our glasses empty” and share our love of Lightfoot over dinner. See sample badge below or at: Soon it was time to head over to Hamilton Place. The theater is beautiful with wonderful acoustics, seating about 2,000 without losing that warm, intimate feeling that we all long for when Gord’s on stage. The Good Brothers opened for Gord promptly at 7:30 both nights and provided an entertaining 40-minute set. (Word to the wise: “Don’t pet the dog!) They concluded with thanks to Gord for graciously allowing them to close with “Alberta Bound”, a tradition for them. After a 20-minute intermission to reset the stage, the Lightfoot Band trooped onto the stage to a swelling applause, followed by Gord who arrived at center stage to a standing and extended ovation. Gord opened with a medley of Spanish Moss and Let It Ride. Others have posted the set lists, so no need to repeat them. Gord was regally clad in a deep purple shirt and a very gorgeous vest, purple with a muted paisley print on the front of it, boots and verrrry nicely fitting black jeans (repeat ladies, verrrry nicely fit). He looked magnificent! (N.B. This paragraph is the opinion of Susan and provided for the benefit of Gord’s many admirers who might be wondering!) Just a few observations for what they are worth: Sunday night’s concert was “ecstasy made easy”—Gord’s performance of four songs from the Harmony album really proved to us that he has indeed recovered. We all know that Gord cut the tracks for Harmony in the months before his illness; his rendition of each of them on Sunday night matched the sound of the album tracks in Gord’s usual faithful manner and was soooooo reassuring. One wonderful surprise was Gord’s inclusion of Sit Down Young Stranger (Susan’s all-time favorite), and he nailed it! Brought Susan to tears and still does if she tries to talk about it. Wasn’t even going to bring it up since it was essentially a non-issue, but for the record, since it was mentioned in another review, Gord did have a momentary problem with his right hand, put it behind his back to give it a few shakes while continuing to play the chords with his left hand, then continuing on; the band, in their usual tight, professional manner, didn’t miss a beat. Nothing to be alarmed about and very much to Gord’s credit that he kept his cool and carried on. He’s fine. The concert was wonderful. It was soooooo good to see Gord again. He seemed to be pleased with himself, as observed in that special exiting saunter of his that suggests, “here comes Mr. Cool”. If you weren’t there, just close your eyes and picture that! Monday night brought the treat of hearing Bitter Green, a song Gord had promised to sing for one of the many nurses that helped care for him. On the topic of nurses, there were numerous hospital staff in attendance, including his surgeon who wore a big grin. Gord expressed his gratitude to those who helped him on both nights and joked around somewhat about his experiences there. We were very moved by the emotion of the occasion, such a miraculous event with credit due to all of those who helped Gord in his recovery. Especially pleasing was Gord’s reference to Rick Haynes as “my advocate”! Gord has a very loyal band, staff and crew, and we are very grateful to each and every one of them for sticking by him! Susan and John [ July 17, 2007, 11:15: Message edited by: johnfowles ]