Rochester, MN Sept 21: Set List

[seafarer62]

Great concert. Sold out. Must have been between 3 and 4 thousand there. Acoustics were great for what is a large gym/auditorium. My wife, who is not a big fan, said he sounded loads better than he did in Cedar Rapids June 30.

Whatever was wrong with the Milwaukee concert didn't show up in Rochester. His voice was pretty good and he was in great spirits. The band was really hamming it up at times too. He told a great story before Early Morning Rain. He had been giving backstage access to an Elvis concert in Buffalo so he could meet him. He drove all the way from Toronto to Buffalo and found himself with 18,000 people in a hockey arena. When he finally got backstage, there was an announcement, "Elvis has left the building !!"

In acknowlegment to the Mayo Clinic, he said he would not ask "Is a doctor in the building?" He also told a couple of corny jokes. One was about a rabbit. Anyone remember?

In My Fashion was especially well done. The crowd reaction was loud and strong, even for some of the most recent material such as "Painter" and "Waiting for You." They left the stage and they played two straight toe-tappers as a dual encore.

I met GitchiGummee (Ruth) during intermission and also had a great talk with Dakota Rose (Nancy) who I had met at Cedar Rapids in late June. A group is getting together before the concert at the Starbucks in the Nicollet Mall before tonight's Minneapolis concert. GitchiGummee and Seafarer 62 were looking for RJ all at the front of the auditorium but couldn't find him. Where were you?

Set List:

1) Cotton Jenny
2) Carefree Highway
3) Sea of Tranquility
4) 14 Karat Gold
5) Never Too Close
6) Painter Passing Through
7) In My Fashion
8) Rainy Day People
9) Shadows
10) Beautiful
11) The Watchman's Gone
12) Ribbon of Darkness
13) Sundown
14) Wreck of E.F.
Intermission
15) Triangle
16) Hangdog Hotel Room
17) Restless
18) Clouds of Loneliness
19) Waiting For You
20) Make Way for the Lady
21) If You Could Read My Mind
22) Don Quixote
23) Baby Step Back
24) Early Morning Rain
Encores:
25) Blackberry Wine
26) Old Dan's Records


Tonight, my sister and I are going to the State Theatre and I will post a set list tomorrow.

Sunday afternoon, my wife Debbie and I are driving to Duluth and will finish the Lightfoot weekend. Will post a set list on Monday.

Tonight, we are in Row T, main floor on the Terry side.

In Duluth, we are front and center in first row !!

John/ Minnesota

[Moosedog]

Thanks for a great recap, John! The rabbit joke goes something like this: "how long is the hair (hare) on a rabbit's back?........Answer: About 3 seconds". He told that joke both in Milwaukee and Sheboygan - it was received with a combination of laughter and eye rolling. LOL

Enjoy the rest of your Lightfoot weekend!

Vickie

[RJ]

Although we were in Row 1, seats 1 and 2; seats 1 and 2 were actually inward of seats 3,4,5 etc.. strange configuration.. I'm frankly not sure how anybody found their seat without an usher (hardly any apparent numbering that I could figure out (on the floor anyway)).. that said, the Auditorium was much more intimate than I anticipated.. it was really cool.. I've never seen the guys in an "arena" type building (ascending bleacher seats for 270 degrees etc.).. but it was great.. we played pool in one of the taverns before the show, met some nice locals and had a little dinner.. we had such a great time last night in Rochester.. now home in Minneapolis for tonight's show.. 80 and sunny here.. the weekend's already a smashing success.. and we still got 2 more shows to go! Oh, what fun..

[charlene]

Sounds like a great time!
I'm in Toronto now till Monday and as usual feel slightly out of sorts when Gord isn't 'home' when I'm in town..
lol
Have a wonderful time at the next shows and tell him to get his arse back home.
Hi to all!

[Dream Street Rose]

RJ,

I am so excited for you. It sounds a little like you having a vacation. It is pouring rain here in CA. I know we need the rain but I am missing summer already. Here's hoping the rest of the concerts are as good or better.

DSR

[brink-]

This all sounds so fun....and you all are excited and happy about the concerts.
I really am totally amazed that Gord is playing to 3-4 thousand people. It is amazing. Most of the venues here in Colorado we a couple hundred at the most. Wow! I bet he was just hopping (reference to the rabbit joke) with all those people there.
Sorry about the rain Dore - not a good day for it.

[Gitchigumee]

Wow, just got back from one of THE BEST WEEKENDS OF MY LIFE! And I am not kidding in the least.

After having attended the Milwaukee concert on Wednesday, I was quite anxious about how Gord would perform just 2 days later in Rochester. I hadn't heard how he'd done in Sheboygan on Thursday.

He began with Cotton Jenny as usual, and I could tell immediately that whatever the problem had been on Wednesday, it was history. He sounded really really good. His voice was strong and right on the money. He seemed re-invigorated. The crowd was large and responsive. He was very talkative that night. Telling jokes as previously reported, and this time, I was close enough to hear and understand everything he was saying!

I about fell out of my seat when he played Clouds of Lonliness. I thought I had heard here on Corfid that he never played any songs from Harmony. They were wrong.

After the concert, my friend and I hung around by the stage while everyone was filing out. She wanted to see if she could get a guitar pic for her collection, but alas, the guitar tech told her there were none to be had. She was bummed. There were just a few people like us straggling around by the stage area, and we got talking to them. One of the guys was drunk and we nicknamed him Floyd as he was wearing a Pink Floyd t-shirt. He actually tried dashing back stage and was wrestled out of the building. It was pretty funny. Anyway, after being asked 3 times to leave, we finally resigned there was no other choice but to leave. But not before one of the security people let slip where the buses were normally parked. We knew it would be a while before Gord & band would be able to leave, as there were VIPs with backstage passes all herded into one area and waiting to meet him. I couldn't help thinking they were big-wigs at Mayo Clinic and not nearly as worthy as I was to get backstage to meet my idol.

Anyway, my friend and I decided to go get our car out of the parking ramp and come back and park it closer to the Civic Center. We got out of the car and began walking around the back of the building, where we found 2 other guys who had been waiting at the stage area after the concert with us. They had found "THE DOOR" and we knew it was true because the truck was there being loaded w/ equipment, the bus was there, and there were 2 limos waiting to whisk the guys off to either the hotel or the airport. Floyd was no-where to be found, thank goodness, so it was just me, my friend, and the 2 men who were actually father and son.

After waiting for probably 1/2 an hour (and by now my stomach is in knots and I'm pacing back and forth like a caged lion), the door opens and out comes Gord, Terry, Rick, Mike and Barry. I approached the band members first as Gord was busy talking to the father and son. I got the band's autographs. Rick really made an impression on me. I told him how much I enjoyed watching them play and how good it was to see him always smiling and having fun. He actually came right over to me, stuck out his hand, and asked me my name. Then...he proceeded to thank me--THANK ME!--for asking him for his autograph. Wow.

Having spoken to the band, I now turned my attention to Gordon, who was just finishing up a conversation with my friend. Now it was my turn. I was the last fan waiting to meet him. Oh my Gosh, here I thought I would not be able to speak, but there I was spilling out everything, how much I loved him, how I had been to Orillia in July, bought his postage stamps, told him I was an internet fan, and that I call myself Gitchigumee. He said "Ahhhh, Gitchigumee..." Cool or what? He autographed an albumn and a CD for me. He sort of apologized that he had been hoarse a few times during the concert, which was totally ridiculous because he sounded wonderful and I told him so. I asked if I could have a photo with him and he said sure, and so then his manager took our cameras and so Gord stood there between my friend and I, with his arms around our waists, and then the darn flash on BOTH of our cameras wouldn't work, so I said that's ok, I can stand here all night with my arm around Gordon Lightfoot, and I said to Gord "You don't have anything better to do anyway, do you?" He chuckled. He was so sweet and patient. When we turned to say goodbye, we shared a hug and I once again thanked him and told him how much I loved him and gave him a peck on the cheek. Then off he went in the car with his band, and he was gone... As we were walking back to our car, I was overwhelmed by what had just happened, and broke down in happy tears which did not stop for several minutes. A dream had just come true, and how many times in your life can you say that?

Not many people would understand, but I know that you folks will. I just love him so much and to be able to tell him in person and to thank him in person meant everything in the world to me. What a wonderful warm person he is, I will post photos (I promise JohnFowles) very soon.

- Gitchigumee

[RM]

Originally Posted by Gitchigumee

Not many people would understand, but I know that you folks will.

Indeed we do.

A very nice piece of writing on your part, and looking forward to the pics.

[Tim]

Gitchegumee
I loved, absolutely loved, your post. And can identify with it through and through. Nice job! And Thank You!!

Gitchegumee -

Absolutely wonderful post. What an amazing night. Glad things went so well.

[charlene]

I well relate to the tears...any who know me know about them too.
I'm so happy for you and that your flash finally worked!
It sure sounds like he made quite a quick recovery from whatever ailment he had for one night..
Pretty funny stuff about the Floyd guy..
can't wait for the pics!

[Gitchigumee]

Here we are (I'm in the white jacket) after the show in Rochester Friday night. One very happy woman!

[louisemnnpls]

Gitchigumee,

Am SO HAPPY for you, that you actually got to see and talk with Gord!!! And after meeting you, feel ever happier, as you are also a very wonderful, warm person
(like Gord). No one deserved to meet him more than you. Just think you will have this wonderful memory for a lifetime!!!!

[Gitchigumee]

I wanted to share one last thing with you on this topic, before letting (at least me) give it a rest. Here's a portion of the article in the promotional pamphlet for Riverside Concerts/Mayo Civic Center of Rochester, Minnesota. A lot of it is stuff we all know, but other parts are very perceptive and thoughtful writing on behalf of the author. Oh what the heck, here's the whole thing (I've bolded parts which I thought were particularly good):


"Gordon Lightfoot was born on November 17, 1938, in Orillia, Ontario, Canada. [/B]; his first appearance at Massey Hall in Toronto, now a revered standard in his tour schedule, was just before hHis parents recognized and encouraged his interest in musice turned 13, as the winner of a competition for boys with unchanged voices.[/B]

After a background in barbershop quartets, and as a member of a duo, Lightfoot struck out on his own in the early 60s. He had written perhaps 75 songs, when he was caught up in the country music scene and folk revival of the time; Bob Dylan's music and a song by Merle Travis, "Dark As A Dungeon," combined with his sensitivity, inventiveness and beautiful voice, resulted in his unique songwriting and singing style. In less than two years, between late '61 and some time in 1963, his sound and his life changed forever.

Gordon Lightfoot first began to gain recognition in the mid-'60s as a songwriting when his compositions "For Lovin' Me" and "Early Morning Rain" became hits for Peter, Paul & Mary, and Marty Robbins topped the country charts with "Ribbon of Darkness." Lightfoot's own style was understated, his tasteful folk arrangements topped by a gentle burr of a voice. His albums began to appear in 1966, but it was not until the start of the '70s that he became a big success as a performer, scoring in 1970 with Sit Down Young Stranger, which contained his hit "If You Could Read My Mind," a song with the typically flowing melodic line and genty poetic lyrics.

Gordon Lightfoot is the author and voice of these and many other timeless songs: "Early Morning Rain," "Canadian Railroad Trilogy," "Sundown," "If You Could Read My Mind," "Carefree Highway," "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald," "Beautiful," "Ribbon of Darkness," "Rainy Day People," "That's What You Get for Lovin' Me," "Did She Mention My Name," "I'm Not Sayin' That I Love You," "Race Among the Ruins," "Softly," "Song For a Winter's Night," "Summer Side of Life"...

Gordon Lightfoot has five Grammy nominations and 17 Juno Awards in his native Canada. In November 1997 he was presented the Governor General's Award--the highest official Canadian honor, which is conferred on very few, for their international efforts in spreading Canadian culture. Gordon was also honored as a charter member of Canada's Walk of Fame and most recently was elevated to the "companion" of the Order of Canada (highest level) in December. Lightfoot also was just inducted into The Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame. Six of his albums have gone "gold" or higher in the US, the most recent of which was Gord's Gold Volume 2 which was certified gold in September 2001.

Artists who have recorded Lightfoot's songs include Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, Sarah McLachlan, Barbra Streisand, Peter, Paul & Mary, Harry Belafonte, Jane's Addiction, Richie Havens, Glen Campbell, Anne Murray, Nana Mouskouri and George Hamilton IV.

All of this discussion is mostly about the music, always beautiful, inventive, and performed with perfection at every concert appearance - a tribute to his fine backup band as well as to Lightfoot himself But it is perhaps his lyrics, and the combination of his words and music, that set him apart from all the others. What is unique about Lightfoot is that he appears to have heightened senses; he sees, hears and feels things that most of us don't; and then he can create the music and lyrics to help us see, hear and feel what he does. Whether it is a love song, or a song of lost love, a historical balad - which he writes like no other songwriter of the last half-century - or a highly personal song, what he says and how he says it leaves a lasting and often evolving impression as the listener uncovers new layers of meaning in the song.

His legacy is thankfully still being written, as he continues to write and to tour. In a career spanning more than 35 years, he has recorded over 200 songs, and written many more. He has influence the sound of other highy successful artists who have credited him as a major influence (for example, Dan Fogelberg, Jimmy Buffett, Jim Croce and Ron Sexsmith). If you only know Lightfoot for his hits, then you are missing a lot of the treasures. If you like music, just about any style, you are sure to find a favorite song among the many he has written and recorded."

"Canadian Railroad Trilogy is an extremely fine piece of songwriting." - Johnny Cash

"Gordon Lightfoot; every time I hear a song of his, it's like I wish it would last forever."
- Bob Dylan

[vlmagee]

Originally Posted by Gitchigumee

I wanted to share one last thing with you on this topic, before letting (at least me) give it a rest. Here's a portion of the article in the promotional pamphlet for Riverside Concerts/Mayo Civic Center of Rochester, Minnesota. A lot of it is stuff we all know, but other parts are very perceptive and thoughtful writing on behalf of the author.

Thanks for the compliment, Gitchigumee. That's my writing; lifted from my web site without permission. Tell me, did they at least include attribution?

Lightfoot biography at gordonlightfoot.com

[Gitchigumee]

Val, I will check again tonight when I am at home and can look at the booklet again, but I did not see an author's name with the article. Otherwise, I would have definitely given credit where it was due. Awesome article! I'm glad I shared it with everyone here.

[vlmagee]

Glad you liked it!

[purnellt]

Awesome story, thank you for sharing!! Glad he seems to be feeling better. Wish I would have seen him anywhere other than Milwaukee as he seemed to be better at all other shows.

Originally Posted by Gitchigumee

Wow, just got back from one of THE BEST WEEKENDS OF MY LIFE! And I am not kidding in the least.

After having attended the Milwaukee concert on Wednesday, I was quite anxious about how Gord would perform just 2 days later in Rochester. I hadn't heard how he'd done in Sheboygan on Thursday.

He began with Cotton Jenny as usual, and I could tell immediately that whatever the problem had been on Wednesday, it was history. He sounded really really good. His voice was strong and right on the money. He seemed re-invigorated. The crowd was large and responsive. He was very talkative that night. Telling jokes as previously reported, and this time, I was close enough to hear and understand everything he was saying!

I about fell out of my seat when he played Clouds of Lonliness. I thought I had heard here on Corfid that he never played any songs from Harmony. They were wrong.

After the concert, my friend and I hung around by the stage while everyone was filing out. She wanted to see if she could get a guitar pic for her collection, but alas, the guitar tech told her there were none to be had. She was bummed. There were just a few people like us straggling around by the stage area, and we got talking to them. One of the guys was drunk and we nicknamed him Floyd as he was wearing a Pink Floyd t-shirt. He actually tried dashing back stage and was wrestled out of the building. It was pretty funny. Anyway, after being asked 3 times to leave, we finally resigned there was no other choice but to leave. But not before one of the security people let slip where the buses were normally parked. We knew it would be a while before Gord & band would be able to leave, as there were VIPs with backstage passes all herded into one area and waiting to meet him. I couldn't help thinking they were big-wigs at Mayo Clinic and not nearly as worthy as I was to get backstage to meet my idol.

Anyway, my friend and I decided to go get our car out of the parking ramp and come back and park it closer to the Civic Center. We got out of the car and began walking around the back of the building, where we found 2 other guys who had been waiting at the stage area after the concert with us. They had found "THE DOOR" and we knew it was true because the truck was there being loaded w/ equipment, the bus was there, and there were 2 limos waiting to whisk the guys off to either the hotel or the airport. Floyd was no-where to be found, thank goodness, so it was just me, my friend, and the 2 men who were actually father and son.

After waiting for probably 1/2 an hour (and by now my stomach is in knots and I'm pacing back and forth like a caged lion), the door opens and out comes Gord, Terry, Rick, Mike and Barry. I approached the band members first as Gord was busy talking to the father and son. I got the band's autographs. Rick really made an impression on me. I told him how much I enjoyed watching them play and how good it was to see him always smiling and having fun. He actually came right over to me, stuck out his hand, and asked me my name. Then...he proceeded to thank me--THANK ME!--for asking him for his autograph. Wow.

Having spoken to the band, I now turned my attention to Gordon, who was just finishing up a conversation with my friend. Now it was my turn. I was the last fan waiting to meet him. Oh my Gosh, here I thought I would not be able to speak, but there I was spilling out everything, how much I loved him, how I had been to Orillia in July, bought his postage stamps, told him I was an internet fan, and that I call myself Gitchigumee. He said "Ahhhh, Gitchigumee..." Cool or what? He autographed an albumn and a CD for me. He sort of apologized that he had been hoarse a few times during the concert, which was totally ridiculous because he sounded wonderful and I told him so. I asked if I could have a photo with him and he said sure, and so then his manager took our cameras and so Gord stood there between my friend and I, with his arms around our waists, and then the darn flash on BOTH of our cameras wouldn't work, so I said that's ok, I can stand here all night with my arm around Gordon Lightfoot, and I said to Gord "You don't have anything better to do anyway, do you?" He chuckled. He was so sweet and patient. When we turned to say goodbye, we shared a hug and I once again thanked him and told him how much I loved him and gave him a peck on the cheek. Then off he went in the car with his band, and he was gone... As we were walking back to our car, I was overwhelmed by what had just happened, and broke down in happy tears which did not stop for several minutes. A dream had just come true, and how many times in your life can you say that?

Not many people would understand, but I know that you folks will. I just love him so much and to be able to tell him in person and to thank him in person meant everything in the world to me. What a wonderful warm person he is, I will post photos (I promise JohnFowles) very soon.

- Gitchigumee

[Peter Bro10]

Originally Posted by Gitchigumee

Here we are (I'm in the white jacket) after the show in Rochester Friday night. One very happy woman!

Hi Gitchigumee,
I try clicking on the image to view larger, but no can do! what's up?
Could you possibly try posting the image again?
The thumbnail thing seems to work quite well, we can see a smaller, quick view and click the individual images to see full view.
Looks like a shot of a lifetime... Gord between two lovely ladies!

[johnfowles]

Originally Posted by Peter Bro10

Hi Gitchigumee,
I try clicking on the image to view larger, but no can do! what's up?
Could you possibly try posting the image again?

The URL of the rather small picture that Ruth has linked to or uploaded is
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1439/...b11f7ed9_m.jpg
which is only 240 by 180 pixels and is therefore presumably the thumbnail only on the flickr site and not the full sized picture so no amount of clicking,flicking or rubbing will make it larger
editing out the -m in the above URL
produces a larger version (500 by 375) at:-
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1439/...96b11f7ed9.jpg

is that full size Ruth???
It just proves my point made previously that one should always preview ones proposed posting to ensure all is tickety boo
Noting that the new forum program makes this task significantly simpler than the old UBB program as the preview appears complete with the text of your post so you can instantly edit it then preview your changes instead of having to reload

Originally Posted by Peter Bro10

Looks like a shot of a lifetime... Gord between two lovely ladies!

Amen Brother Peter

[Gitchigumee]

Thank you John, yes, that is full size, or at least as full-sized as I'd like to view it!

Val, I checked the pamphlet once again, and they did NOT give you credit for writing the article.

I'm going to go find my other photos now which I posted from the Saturday concert and try to enlarge them...let's see if I can do it...

[johnfowles]

Originally Posted by Gitchigumee

Thank you John, yes, that is full size, or at least as full-sized as I'd like to view it!

I'm going to go find my other photos now which I posted from the Saturday concert and try to enlarge them...let's see if I can do it...

Obviously Ruth you were using a spy camera that takes exceedingly small pictures as I believe that 640 wide is usually nowadays the smallest setting and that to which this forum automatically limits display pix . If you have a succession of these mini pix to enlarge I suggeest you download the nifty freeware Photogadget
as this adds an easy menu item to your right click menu


and selecting it opens a very handy resizing tool


there seems to be enough detail in your pictures to make this worthwhile: here is the vital part of your pic enlarged to 640 wide to reveal all the lettering on your South of the Border jacket and other detail

[Kathy Number Four]

Originally Posted by Gitchigumee

Wow, just got back from one of THE BEST WEEKENDS OF MY LIFE! And I am not kidding in the least.

Oh my Gosh, here I thought I would not be able to speak, but there I was spilling out everything, how much I loved him... I was overwhelmed by what had just happened, and broke down in happy tears which did not stop for several minutes. A dream had just come true, and how many times in your life can you say that?

Not many people would understand, but I know that you folks will. I just love him so much and to be able to tell him in person and to thank him in person meant everything in the world to me. What a wonderful warm person he is....
- Gitchigumee

Dear "Gitch"

I'm so glad you got to meet him. I bet you're still walking on air (as I am)!! I can identify EXACTLY with your experience! When I met Gordon for the first time (earlier this year), I thought I'd be too in awe to speak, so I rehearsed what I'd say to him. But when actually face-to-face with THE man, all my carefully rehearsed words flew out of my brain, and instead, all my feelings came gushing forth.... I babbled on like a love-struck fool . I told him I had been fantisizing about this moment for 35+ years, and meeting him was my dream come true. He chuckled and said with a surprised and humble look, "REALLY?" and I went on to say that he is my "fantasy man" who my boyfiends used to always be jealous of, etc, etc, etc... and GOD ONLY KNOWS what else I said!!! He was so warm and sweet... he gave me a hug, and I kissed him on both cheeks . The MOST AMAZING thing, is that the next time I met him, he acutally remembered my name!!!! Of course, that is due at least in part, to the fact that he has had three Kathy's in his past, which he pointed out to me (and hence my screen name... wishful thinking )

So... are you on for GordQuest 2008??

[Gitchigumee]

JOHN! OK this isn't funny...PULLEEZ take that enormous photo off. I feel like I'm on America's Most Wanted

Kathy Number Four (I love the explanation of how your screen came about),

Yes, I am still floating on air. I don't know how many times I told him "I love you so much!" I also told that to Terry (strictly speaking of the music). It's definitely a special kind of love, and it just seems to grow and grow.

Originally Posted by Kathy Number Four

Dear "Gitch" ... So... are you on for GordQuest 2008??

YES, I want very badly to see him in Toronto. We'll see. I also hope to make another of his venues a destination for a cycle trip next summer.