[charlene]

Edmonton, Alberta - Tuesday April 14, 2009 – The Jubilee

Bonnie and I headed out from Calgary in a light snowfall which was totally unexpected! I saw my last view of the Rockies heading north to Edmonton to see Gord one more time before I headed back home.

All of the arrangements had been made to change my flight back to Toronto and all was good at home too! The further north we drove the windier and snowier it got. It was blowing from the west and at times one of the lanes northbound were completely covered and we were unable to drive on it. There were a few cars off the road and in the ditches and one had flipped right over. We arrived about 2 1/2 hours later and at her home in Edmonton we took a nap that was much needed after the previous late night. Gord and the boys flew over us around 11:30 a.m. and avoided the bad weather. Lol

I called and let Mr. Fiedler know that we were in Edmonton and he said he`d make arrangements for us at The Jubilee. We had dinner at Bonnie`s with her mum and dad and son. It was great to see her dad again. He was with Bonnie in Hamilton for the concerts Gord did for the McMaster hospital. We tried to get him to come with us but he had other plans.

We arrived at The Jubilee about 30 minutes prior to showtime to have a look around. What a beautiful hall! The Jack Singer in Calgary was great too and had a suspended wooden acoustic drop ceiling. Both halls looked almost full. Our seats were almost centre and 8 rows from the stage. Very nice Mr.Fiedler!! Thankyou!

As always the show started right at 8 p.m. with the band striding out and The Man right behind them acknowledging the standing ovation with a wave and smile.

I can’t be positive but I would like to believe he was looking for me in the front row..lol

He had on the red velvet jacket, white shirt and black pants. The first thing I noticed was that the volume was twice what it always has been. In several reviews over the years, as well as comments here, it’s been noted that the volume at times was too low to hear his vocals. It seems that part of the problem has been Gords proximity to the mic so he was standing closer and the volume was crystal clear and amazing.

He told the “hare” joke, mentioned the ex old ladies and gave the band an opportunity to kick him in the slats and said they’d never taken him up on it tho. “I can be mean!” he added in a low menacing tone and a glance around! Prior to a “toe-tapper” he exclaimed “at my age they’re all toe-tappers!” At one point he had one leg up on his stool and then said, “if I can lift my leg like that then I”m gonna be alright!”

The night before when he spoke backstage he mentioned he wasn’t doing both CRT and The Wreck during the concerts but alternating each with Early Morning Rain. After Clouds of Loneliness he said “That’s a good song. I like it.”
He also mentioned forgetting his slippers, his favourite slippers in Vancouver. “They were great slippers – the 2nd ex-wife gave them to me!”

In Calgary he sang 28 songs and in Edmonton he sang 27. During the second set he wore another brocade vest and looked great.
The crowd in Edmonton seemed louder and there were more shout-outs of song titles and “I Love You Gordy” than in Calgary. In Calgary as he walked off stage he took an album from someone by the stage who wanted an autograph and after he had done his encore the tour manager brought it back to the person. In Edmonton he signed one thing and shook a few hands as he left the stage. The audience gave an extended ovation after the encore but there were no more songs.

At one point I called out for “I’ll Tag Along” but he didn’t deviate from his setlist.

Bonnie and I went to the Green Room with Mr. Fiedler and along with 8 others waited for Gord and any of the band who came in. Barry came in to speak with a couple who asked specifically for him and Mike sat and talked with me and Bonnie for quite a while. We never saw Terry either night.

Gord finished with everyone else and then came over to us for a quick visit. I asked him about “I’ll Tag Along” (I am relentless) and he said he has to get the orchestration for the band. I suggested that since he wrote it and it was his song that he sing it like he did in Florida – with just his guitar. I try to be helpful..lol

He mentioned his many visits to the exercise club and told me to let everyone know “I’m feeling great, have lots of energy and I’m going to keep plowing on!”

After snapping a few pics, a hug and peck on the cheek for Gord and Mr. Fiedler, we were all out of there and on our way as they headed to their hotel and Bonnie and I drove back to her place.

I am very grateful to Bonnie for her airmiles, her driving, her homes to sleep in and the great company she was during my visit to Alberta. She will be in Toronto for all four Massey shows so we’ll catch up again in a few months. I hope she posts some of her thoughts about the shows as well.

After seeing Gord in Toronto at Hugh’s Room in January I thought that my next concert would not be until the Massey shows and it seemed so far away, especially when hearing of all the folks here getting to so many concerts! This quick trip was originally meant for me to see the Calgary concert only, but fate stepped in and blessed me with a chance to get to a second show..

The stars were aligned and shining on me fer sure eh?
I’ll Tag Along any way I can…
Edmonton setlist
1. Triangle
2. Cotton Jenney
3. 14 Karat Gold
4. Never Too Close
5. In My Fashion
6. A Painter Passing Through
7. Rainy Day People
8. Shadows
9. If Children Had Wings
10. Beautiful
11. Carefree Highway
12. Hangdog Hotel Room
13. Ribbon of Darkness
14. Sundown
15. The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald
INTERMISSION
16. The Watchman's Gone 17. Alberta Bound
18. Restless
19. Clouds Of Loneliness 20. Waiting For You
21. If You Could Read My Mind 22. Don Quixote
23. Minstrel Of The Dawn
24. Baby Step Back
25. Early Morning Rain
26. Song For A Winter's Night
ENCORE
27. Old Dan's Records