Well, I attended the last of this years Tribute Shows on Saturday night here in my own little town of Whitby in the Village of Brooklin....
I really don't understand why they aren't held every weekend but I'm sure Jory and Aengus have some sort of life beyond entertaining me.....
I wish it were otherwise however!
It's been an interesting few months of shows for me because I have now experienced them in different venues and with varying numbers of participants. I started out at Hugh's Room - a small club in Toronto where I have attended all but 2 of 10 shows over the last 4 years. I've enjoyed attending with Jenney, Ron, Dan and Nanci, Kenyon and my daughter. It's a small club, dinner available before the show and not a bad seat in the place. All have been extraordinary, emotional and uplifting. The nights that Lightfoot attended in 2004 and 2005 were absolute highlights for everyone there but especially for Jory and Aengus and the performers. What an honour to have him come and acknowledge the huge effort and honest appreciation they all have for him and his musical legacy.
A few weeks ago I saw the show in a small town theatre, soft seats, big production, full cast, big sound with backup band and piano. It was so different than Hugh's Room....but equally as fabulous!
I also have seen the edited version with just Jory, Aengus and Terry Tufts in Wayne, New Jersey. That was held in a beautiful log cabin home with only 30 people in the audience. And 7 of those 30 were Lightheads! (Jenney and hubby Skip,Bill,John,Susan,Joan and me)It was a wonderful whirlwind time thatI would love to do again.
On Saturday I went with a friend and my daughter to see Jory, Aengus, Suzie Vinnick and Katherine Wheatley. There was an opening act called "Two Roads Home"
http://www.tworoadshome.com/ who are a local duo and involved with the Vital Spark Folk Society here in Whitby. They were terrific.
The upstairs of the old building held about 200 people and with a light rain coming down outside it was a perfect evening to sit inside for a couple of hours and listen to these wonderful artists performing Lightfoot music.
I got my big happy hug from Jory before the show and believe it or not he didn't have on a hat!
lol
Aengus wasn't there yet so I didn't see him until after the show.
Two Roads Home opened with "A Tree To Weak To Stand", "Cherokee Bend" and "Beautiful."
The sound in the building was great and they could have even done the whole concert totally acoustic without any PA system at all. Abby Zotz and Bryan Williston were a great opening act.
Jory (with hat on), Aengus, Suzie and Katherine came out and all four remained seated on stage while the others were performing. They were singing backup, playing guitar or just sitting and enjoying the songs themselves along with the audience. It was a looser, more relaxed evening -more like a house concert/jam session. It was very nice and easy.
Jory sang Mother of a Miner's Child and I know he sang it for me even though he didn't say so!
lol
He HAS to record that song. Period. End of discussion. Are you listening Jory? Oh yes - I forgot to smack you in Port Hope and the other night for calling me "matriarch." While technically I am old enough to be your mother (at the tender age of 17) I still owe you a smack!
p.s. - Happy 33rd Birthday on the 28th!
I was happy to hear Aengus sing Miguel and his own tribute song for The Man - "Lightfoot."
Suzie got bluesy and funky with "Sundown" and "I'd Do It Again."
Katherine did her sweet rendition of "I'm Not Supposed To Care" and "16 Miles."
It was a bittersweet night knowing that it will probably be a while before I see the boys performing again but will keep watch on their websites for any nearby venues.
Aengus has his remarkable Shelter Valley Folk Festival on Sept.1-3,2006 and I may make it out to Port Hope this year to see what it's all about! You've been warned Aengus!!!
His Art Gallery opens at the end of the May as well so he's a very busy fellow.
Jory has a big move coming up this summer and I wish him all the best in his new place. I'll be down to inspect it this summer Jory!
Suzie Vinnick has a new CD with Rick Fines - they are awesome as individual artists but this collaboration is "WOW." (and Rick has a new solo CD coming out any day now!-www.rickfines.com)
Artist websites:
Jory Nash -
www.jorynash.com
Aengus Finnan -
www.aengusfinnan.com and
www.sheltervalley.com
Suzie Vinnick -
www.suzievinnick.com
Katherine Wheatley -
http://www.katherinewheatley.com/
SET LIST:
Jory - Race Among The Ruins
Katherine - Wherefore and Why
Suzie - Sundown
Aengus - Early Morning Rain
Jory - Mother of A Miner's Child
Katherine/Suzie - Christian Island
Suzie - If You Could Read My Mind
Aengus - The Wreck of The Edmund Fitzgerald
ALL - Alberta Bound
BREAK
Suzie - Rainy Day People
Katherine - 16 Miles
Jory - Summer Side Of Life
Aengus - Miguel
Suzie - I'd Do It Again
Katherine - I'm Not Supposed To Care
Aengus - "Lightfoot"
Jory - Cotton Jenney
ENCORE
Ensemble - Rich Man's Spiritual
After the show I spoke briefly with Suzie, said Hi to Aengus and got the traditional picture taken with the boys!
Jory declared it "The Best Picture" in all the years we've been getting pics taken together! lol
My official photographer is my daughter Lisa....
and I must say it IS the BEST pic yet!
And I thank Jory and Aengus for the beautiful evenings of artistry they provide, not only with Lightfoot music but their own incredible songs and voices.
And thank you for not having me locked up.
love ya both!
Char
thumbnail-click to open photo
The Way We Feel-LightfootTrib.Show-May 13-06-WHITBY,Ont.
