[AnneOK]

I did go to the show on Saturday, and overall I'd have to say it was okay but not spectacular. To be honest, I was disappointed but have a hard time admitting that because they put so much effort into the performance. :-) (darn, how do I do smileys?) All in all, it was a decent way to spend the evening and I do applaud the group's salute to Gord.

Group leader Mike Fornes was quoted in the program notes, saying "I'm not Gordon Lightfoot . . . but I'm trying to play his character, become the role, so to speak. His music is the music of the north country and the music of our culture. We're 50 miles from the Canadian Border and the Edmund Fitzgerald sank less than 100 miles from here. We live on these lakes and in the same woods that Lightfoot writes about."

Mr. Fornes did seem to get into the role, sporting a turquoise bracelet and ring and giving his "thank yous" to the audience with thumbs up and a bright smile. The stage was set up with all the musicians in their proper places, and the drumset said "The Lightfoot Band."

I have heard a number of folks on this forum as well as the newsgroup do covers of Gord's songs that were far superior to the ones I heard Saturday night. Personally, I think that is not only a credit to the incredibly talented folks we have among the "Net People" but also a function of keeping the covers simple -- vocals and a few guitars. Trying to "replicate" the sound of an entire band that has been playing together for decades is a lot to take on, and at times the music almost took on a "karaoke" feel. The arrangements frequently seemed very heavy, but on a few of the more mellow tunes the accompaniment was lighter and more enjoyable. I have no doubt that these gentlemen are all accomplished musicians in their own rights.

I had not seen any previews on local media prior to the show, but going into it I did hope that they would pull out some of the older songs that Gord does not or cannot sing anymore. There was a respectable mix of songs along with all the "staples", and without further delay here is the setlist:

Salute (the bass was a bit overwhelming)
Don Quixote (yes, he did the foot stomp going into the last verse)
I'll Prove My Love (nice)
The House You Live In
Sundown (always a crowd pleaser)
Carefree Highway
Restless (I have to say, the wood block was just a tad off)
Medley:
Early Mornin' Rain (good energy)
I'm Not Sayin' (nice)
Ribbon of Darkness
For Lovin' Me
Did She Mention My Name
All I'm After
The Circle is Small

-Intermission-

14 Karat Gold
Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald (the lead guitarist had an uncle who perished on the Lakes, although not on the Fitz itself)
Alberta Bound
Baby Step Back
Romance
Beautiful
Song For a Winter's Night
Rainy Day People
Shadows
If You Could Read My Mind

Encore: Canadian Railroad Trilogy (a decent rendition, although the transitions were kind of rough)

The audience seemed to have a good time, and as a whole they probably weren't listening to the songs as critically as I was . . . they were there to support the Opera House and the musicians and enjoy an evening of live music, and to that end the show was probably well received. Being a diehard Lightfoot fan, it was hard to not compare this group to Gord and the guys, and I realize that's a mighty difficult standard to reach.

The snow was softly falling when we got out, just enough to grease up the roads and make the 90-mile return trip a challenging one. But, the iPod was tuned to Gord, the lovely snow-covered evergreens were admired, and it was a fitting end to the evening.