[QUOTE, originally posted by Mary Ellen]
"Gord really seems to like talking about the nuts and bolts of songcraft, especially as it pertains to guitar playing--though he knows very well that he has to keep it simple! When introducing "Shadows," he talked about the fact that most songs written in "C" are written "up top" (gesturing at the high neck of the guitar, where his capo is), but this one was written "down here" (playing a few notes on the low strings near where the neck meets the box). Then, after a lovely perfomance, he continued to play with the chord--saying something like, fiddling around with this stuff [chords] is fun, "...even when the song's over!"
This, to me, was especially interesting as an insight into the artist's relation to his work. "Shadows" is such a profound, affecting, soulful piece--but, to it's creator, it's an exercise in "C"! Probably Bach thought the same about the "Well-Tempered Clavier"--like, "Well, that's a pretty good workbook"!
When he switched guitars and discovered the dragonfly (I think--or maybe a moth--LARGE insect) perched just above the soundhole, he brought it to our attention ("I seem to have a passenger"), and then ignored it. Didn't bat it off. Mr. Bug got bored or annoyed after a few bars and either flew or fell off." [QUOTE]
Mary Ellen, your comments about his "C" tutorial and "the passenger" were right on the money. These were two of the three things that I talked about with my son on our ride home. The bug incident was totally spontaneous and I suspect the "lesson in C" was, too. He was absolutely non-plussed by his "passenger" and seemed kind of tickled to 'introduce' it to the audience....then just ignore it and move into his next song. My son seemed to think that there had been a bat flying back and forth across the front of the stage during Don Quixote, too. I don't always see so well in the dark and for this I am grateful! The "lesson in C" seemed to be intentional but the sort-of-reprise was what I felt was spontaneous. This made me feel that he was relaxed and just sharing...as if we were in his living room.
The third thing that my son and I discussed was how he started out a little tentative but seemed to get stronger and stronger and stronger with each song. By the second half he was doing voice things that I didn't remember from concerts I've attended in the last five years...and he pulled them off very well. All in all I had the impression that he was pleased with his performance last night...so much so that I still wonder how close we came to a third encore!
I did make myself go meet BillW, Bill's wife and Elizabeth. I almost chickened out. I'm glad I 'braved up' because now I feel more like part of this group of Lightheads!! They are no longer names on the board but real people.
All in all I had a great night at Wolf Trap and am anxious to go to another concert...NOW!!!
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