[seafarer62]

Hi all-

Debbie and I drove all day Sunday and arrived in Appleton, WI about two hours before show time. We've been to Appleton many times so we found the Performing Arts Center with no problem. Gorgeous concert hall. Looks a little like Massey Hall on the inside with the stacked balconies. This hall had the more 70's- 80's decor and look, rather than a more antique look of Massey.

We met Dave from Australia and Sue from Milwaukee. It was hard to miss him with his hat labeled "Australia." Dave told me where Moosedog was sitting and I waited there for her but as it got close to showtime, I had to get back to the first balcony. (Sorry not to say hello Vicki.) We were in the first row of the balcony, front and center, with a completely unobstructed view of the stage. I wanted to get out to meet people during intermission but I would have had to crawl over about 20 people to leave my seat. :>(

Gord was outstanding.. voice much better than Saturday in Onamia. The acoustics were outstanding compared to the casino ballroom the night previous.

Here is the set list:

1) Cotton Jenny
2) Carefree Highway
3) Sea of Tranquility
4) 14 Karat Gold
5) Never Too Close
6) In My Fashion
7) Painter Passing Through
8) If Children Had Wings
9) Rainy Day People
10) Shadows
11) Beautiful
12) Watchman's Gone
13) Ribbon of Darkness
14) Sundown
15) Wreck of E.F.

Intermission

16) Triangle
17) Hangdog Hotel Room
18) Restless
19) Clouds of Loneliness
20) Waiting for You
21) Make Way for the Lady
22) If You Could Read My Mind
23) My Little Love
24) Baby Step Back
25) Early Morning Rain
26) Encore: Blackberry Wine

For the second straight night, "If Children Had Wings" was performed. The second verse was completely rewritten. Here is what I remember he did in Appleton:

There were things that were said
there were things that were done
and a life, I never, could explain
And what I thought was best
couldn't please her much less
but a love, that always, will remain

Fantastic song. He mentioned that there had been requests to perform the song so they put it in the set list.

For the first time ever, I heard "My Little Love" in concert. It is not one of my favorite songs and I typically skip it when playing the "Painter" album. The live version has none of the energy of the recorded version, which is about its strongest attribute.

Gord introduced the band after Beautiful and mentioned the lady who wrote a very flattering article on the newsgroup. I must have missed that one in my busyness. Will someone send me the link or thread?? Gord also mentioned that baseball star and broadcaster Tony Kubek and family were in attendance and thanked them that they were big fans.

Another thing that struck me about the concerts this weekend was that Gord seems to really like "Clouds of Loneliness" from the Harmony album. Has he ever talked about why that song gets so much concert attention? I think "Harmony" , "River of Light" , 'End of All Time" and "Inspiration Lady" are far stronger songs.

Well, back home for a night. Tomorrow, I drove down to Des Moines all alone and will take in the concert. Will report back to the newsgroup when I get back.

John