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charlene · 09-21-2012, 10:13 AM

http://cowbird.com/stories/newest/#!/40499

Concert Notes: Gordon Lightfoot

by Frederick Smith · 357 words, plus sound

Concert Review: Gordon Lightfoot at 73

At eight o'clock central time, the curtain rose at the Peoria Civic Center theater on a legend of the 1960's. Gordon Lightfoot, accompanied by keyboard, bass, lead guitar and drums, started out on his 12 string Epiphone and had the audience from the first note. Early Morning Rain, Ribbon of Darkness, Sundown, and the song you're listening to, The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, were among the classics performed in timeless style and to the delight of an audience of about 1,600 people.

Gordon's voice started out a little thin, but about three songs in, you could see the old Gordon (the one I saw 22 years ago from almost the exact same seat) emerging, and by the time he was at number five, Lightfoot was back. At 73, 74 in November, he's a bit more frail than I remember, but it didn't seem to slow him down. His band was into the music, the audience was into the performance, and we were all just waiting for the next classic to roll off his tongue.

There weren't a lot of younger folks in the audience, which was to be expected, I imagine. I'm sure they might have been surprised by the lack of excessive volume and the fact that you could actually understand the words being sung. There was a little stage lighting as you can see from my two photos above (I have got to either get a better phone or remember to take my digital camera next concert.), but no lasers, no flashers, no strobes. Just some pleasant lighting for some pleasant music with a crowd of very pleasant people.

And some very good memories. If you get a chance to see Gordon, do make it a point to go. I can promise you will leave with your hearing intact and some very pleasant memories of an era when music was much more people friendly.

Only one disappointment. He didn't play “Second Cup of Coffee” which is one of my all time favorites, but what the heck. He played everything else. I guess I can forgive one miss.

~Fred~

09-21-2012, 10:13 AM	#2
charlene Moderator Join Date: May 2000 Posts: 16,001	Re: Review: Gordon Lightfoot pays attention to details http://cowbird.com/stories/newest/#!/40499 Concert Notes: Gordon Lightfoot by Frederick Smith · 357 words, plus sound Concert Review: Gordon Lightfoot at 73 At eight o'clock central time, the curtain rose at the Peoria Civic Center theater on a legend of the 1960's. Gordon Lightfoot, accompanied by keyboard, bass, lead guitar and drums, started out on his 12 string Epiphone and had the audience from the first note. Early Morning Rain, Ribbon of Darkness, Sundown, and the song you're listening to, The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, were among the classics performed in timeless style and to the delight of an audience of about 1,600 people. Gordon's voice started out a little thin, but about three songs in, you could see the old Gordon (the one I saw 22 years ago from almost the exact same seat) emerging, and by the time he was at number five, Lightfoot was back. At 73, 74 in November, he's a bit more frail than I remember, but it didn't seem to slow him down. His band was into the music, the audience was into the performance, and we were all just waiting for the next classic to roll off his tongue. There weren't a lot of younger folks in the audience, which was to be expected, I imagine. I'm sure they might have been surprised by the lack of excessive volume and the fact that you could actually understand the words being sung. There was a little stage lighting as you can see from my two photos above (I have got to either get a better phone or remember to take my digital camera next concert.), but no lasers, no flashers, no strobes. Just some pleasant lighting for some pleasant music with a crowd of very pleasant people. And some very good memories. If you get a chance to see Gordon, do make it a point to go. I can promise you will leave with your hearing intact and some very pleasant memories of an era when music was much more people friendly. Only one disappointment. He didn't play “Second Cup of Coffee” which is one of my all time favorites, but what the heck. He played everything else. I guess I can forgive one miss. ~Fred~