TORONTO STAR
‘Beautiful’ Gordon Lightfoot tribute brings Rush’s Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson out to Massey Hall
More than 20 Canadian musical ambassadors honoured the legendary singer-songwriter, who died one year ago.
To quote one of his masterful songs: Could a star-studded live concert tribute to the late Gordon Lightfoot by a group of his peers and admirers being anything but “Beautiful”?
If you were in Massey Hall on Thursday night – the venue affectionately known as “The House That Gord Built” – that question would have been answered for two-and-a-half hours with an emphatic, “No!”
While the man himself is no longer with us – it’s been just over a year since the Orillia native died at 84 – a steady and somewhat surprising cavalcade of more than 20 Canadian musical ambassadors ensured that his songs remained as timeless as the day they were written, choosing numbers both popular and somewhat obscure to celebrate the work of this meticulous craftsman.
Recorded for a future CBC broadcast as part of the “Live at Massey Hall” series and hosted by singer Damhnait Doyle – who, as emcee and narrator, managed to incorporate the three touchstones of charm, enthusiasm and annoyance – this event, tagged “Celebrating Gordon Lightfoot,” was a glorious evening of stories, laughter and, of course, peak solo, duo and group performances.
And though Lightfoot had graced the venue’s stage an estimated 170 times while still part of this mortal coil, some entertainers felt that he stuck around spiritually Thursday evening for No. 171.
“I truly believe that Gord is here tonight,” exclaimed Hamilton’s Tom Wilson, who was joined by his son Thompson Wilson and the original Lightfoot Band for a stirring rendition of “Cold on the Shoulder.” “I feel it in my heart!”
Truly, there were others who shared that sentiment.
Among the A-listers there to play their respects: Burton Cummings, Allison Russell, Tom Cochrane, Sylvia Tyson, Murray McLauchlan, Serena Ryder, City and Colour (a.k.a. Dallas Green), Kathleen Edwards, Aysanabee and William Prince.
Lightfoot’s longtime accompanists – drummer Barry Keane, bassist Rick Haynes, pedal steel guitarist Ed “Pee Wee Charles” Ringwald, guitarists Mike Heffernan, Carter Lancaster and Andy Mauck – served as house band for the first half of the show, with Blue Rodeo singer-guitarists Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor, guitarists Colin Cripps and Jimmy Bowskill, keyboardist Mike Boguski, bassist Bazil Donovan and drummer Glenn Milchem taking over post-intermission.
Julian Taylor made his Massey debut with “All I’m After” from Gord’s “Shadows” album and Lightfoot was genetically represented by his daughter Meredith Moon, who offered the insight that her dad used to tune his guitar to “Oh, So Sweet” while watching baseball on a TV set to mute.
Not everyone partook in the Lightfoot catalogue: Sylvia Tyson, who with her ex-husband Ian, gave the singer-songwriter his first break with their hit cover version of “Early Morning Rain,” decided to convey the feeling of reflection with the title track of her latest album, “At the End of Day,” accompanied by ex-Prairie Oyster pianist Joan Besen.
Moon also chose an original, “Slow Moving Train,” which she revealed was one of her dad’s favourites. She also earned the evening’s first standing ovation, duetting with Serena Ryder on what is arguably Lightfoot’s most endearing classic, “If You Could Read My Mind.”
The show opened simply, with folk singer Caroline Wiles on guitar and longtime Lightfoot producer Bob Doidge on bass for “Talking in Your Sleep,” followed by Aysanabee performing the heartbreaking “Looking at the Rain” from the maestro’s 1972 album “Don Quixote.”
In a pre-show interview with the Star, Aysanabee disclosed why he picked that tune. “I chose that song because there was something similar that I was going through at the time and it kind of connects in a real-time, personal way,” he explained.
And that may very well be the secret sauce of Lightfoot’s creations: They can be relatable, heart-on-your-sleeve scenarios that are complex enough to externalize internal emotions, as well as scenic, descriptive landscapes of our home and native land that promote Canadian identity and geography and serve as an amber-preserved reminder of our colourful history.
Another takeaway from the show was how economical Lightfoot was as a composer and arranger. Whether it was Tom Cochrane storming through “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,” William Prince slaying with “The House You Live In” or Kathleen Edwards running through “Carefree Highway,” there was little need to embellish any of the original versions because those originals are picture perfect.
As for highlights: Before he performed “If You Got It” on piano, Burton Cummings offered a fantastic impression of Lightfoot singing Rod Stewart’s “Maggie May” that prompted convulsive laughter in the audience. Who needs AI voice cloning when Cummings is in front of the microphone?
Murray McLauchlan offered a warm, laid-back rendering of “Early Morning Rain” that contained a tasteful harmonica solo. And Allison Russell gave the best performance of the night, using her charismatic presence to pump up the crowd for one of Gord’s rare political numbers, “Black Day in July.”
Then, just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, suddenly a couple of guys named Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson strolled out onstage to join Blue Rodeo for a robust “The Way I Feel,” with Lee adding some powerfully intricate bass that no doubt would have impressed Lightfoot.
The evening climaxed with a rollicking “Alberta Bound” courtesy of Blue Rodeo and the Good Brothers, followed by a grand finale featuring all the stars joining on an upbeat “Summer Side of Life,” captained by Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor.
Still, with all the celebrities onstage, there was one glaring absence: Apparently devoted Lightfoot friend and disciple Ron Sexsmith – who certainly deserved, and wanted, to be there – wasn’t invited to take part. His presence would have been icing on a very fine cake, but that oversight will hopefully be rectified should this celebration become an annual event.
And there’s no reason why it shouldn’t: Although the 2,752 sets of ears belonging to family, friends and fans enjoyed this momentous occasion – a charity event whose proceeds went to the Massey Hall Revitalization Program – plenty of Lightfoot’s catalogue remained unheard.
Until next time ... if you can read my mind.
NK
Nick Krewen is a Toronto-based freelance contributor for the Star. Reach him via email:
octopus@rogers.com.
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