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Old 11-29-2021, 08:59 PM   #1
charlene
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Default Massey - Lightfoot Nov.25,26,27, 2021 - report/setlists/videos/photos/reviews

This THREAD will be updated asap - if you have anything on this subject please add it to this thread..

Gordon Lightfoot makes ‘emotional’ return to Massey Hall as iconic Toronto venue reopens after renovation

BRAD WHEELER
PUBLISHED NOVEMBER 26, 2021

Closed three years for $184-million dollars’ worth of renovation and expansion, Toronto’s Massey Hall reopened on Thursday night with a concert by Gordon Lightfoot. Among other things, the ceiling has been fixed – there used to be chicken wire up there to reinforce the crumbling plaster. Onstage for the first of the three concerts, the 83-year-old Lightfoot told the crowd about the steel plate in the wrist he had recently broken.

The things we do to keep our beloved relics from falling apart.

The grand happening began as so many of our events do these days, with checks of vaccination status. A long line of people ran from the familiar red doors of the 127-year-old building on Shuter Street south down Victoria Street past the new building, which abuts the old. The whole complex is called the Allied Music Centre.

Once in, one notices the front hallway is newly named the Weston Family Foyer. It is a better title (but less descriptive) than what I would call “the bottleneck.” The main hall – which has hosted the likes of Jack Dempsey, Enrico Caruso, and, at least 170 times, the all-Canadian troubadour Lightfoot – is now emblazoned as the Allan Slaight Auditorium & Stage, thanks to a substantial donation from a charitable foundation created by the late media mogul and music-loving philanthropist.

Massey Hall is named after another philanthropist, Hart Massey. His descendants in the audience took in a trio of commemorative speeches, including words from Mayor John Tory. He declared Thursday to be Gordon Lightfoot Day before presenting him with a key to the city. His voice breaking, the musician said the evening was an “emotional experience.”

Jesse Kumagai, president and chief executive officer of Massey and Roy Thomson halls, spoke first. He hailed the venue as a “space that’s brought us closer together for more than 127 years,” before noting that the renovations were not quite finished: “We hope you will forgive our imperfections.”

After an upbeat opening set by American folk singer and old Lightfoot friend Tom Rush, the main attraction sang 15 songs with his four-piece band. Sporting a maroon velvet smoking jacket, Lightfoot strummed Gibson acoustic guitars, both 12-string and six-string models. He was in wizened and winded voice, his autumnal baritone and fluttering vibrato a thing of the past.

The arrangements were tasteful; Lightfoot’s performances on a set list that included Sundown, Beautiful and Early Morning Rain were careful. On Carefree Highway, he sang about things that had seen better days. Any imperfections of his were undoubtedly forgiven.

In 2002, Lightfoot nearly died after an abdominal aneurysm. His larynx hasn’t been the same since the surgery that saved his life. His diaphragm lost its oomph. Everything about him now is small, gaunt and frail, except for his songs and spirit.

A Globe and Mail review of a Lightfoot concert at Massey Hall in 1969 included some of the balladeer’s banter. “You know, it’s really great to be back on this stage,” he said. “You can wander off around … but here in Massey Hall is my home.”

For many Toronto music fans and others, Massey is home. It is a testament to the renovators that the venue feels both unchanged and significantly upgraded. The extra lounges and washrooms in the new south building will ease the congestion, tears and confusion caused by the ones in the old building. An elevated wraparound terrace of seating at the back and sides of the auditorium floor does much for sightlines. And if the added legroom and wider seats cut down the room’s capacity from 2,754 to 2,550, the costs saved on knee replacement surgeries will be worth it.

The judgments of opening-night attendees were mostly positive. “The restoration is lovely, and the new balcony bar is a big improvement,” said Sarah Ptak, whose first Massey experience was a Crowded House concert in 1994. “I’m so happy to be back home.”

David Herle’s first concert at the venue was a show by Little Village in 1992. “I love the detailing,” he said about the new look. “The stained glass windows are great.”

Of the cosmetic changes, the stained glass is indeed a revelation. Covered up long ago but now revealed, the windows give a churchy feel to the music room. “They’re spectacular,” said diehard Lightfoot fan Charlene Westbrook. She made her first visit to Massey to see Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge in 1973. “Gord got up and sang Bobby McGee that night.”

On this night, Lightfoot sang his own material, including Home From the Forest, which he wrote in the 1960s. He no longer performs it very often. The song is supposedly inspired by a homeless veteran who wanted to sleep near the Massey Hall box office one winter night. Turned away, he froze to death: “Oh the neon lights were flashing, and the icy wind did blow.”

Not all of Lightfoot’s legends are from the Chippewa on down.

In his prime, Lightfoot’s role was as a folky recollector of bygone days. Now he’s more of a recollection than a recollector. Nostalgia does the heavy lifting for him, not that there’s anything wrong with an appreciation for history.

Set list
The Watchman’s Gone

Now and Then

Carefree Highway

Sundown

14 Karat Gold

If You Could Read My Mind

Fine as Fine Can Be

Home From the Forest

Beautiful

Song for a Winter’s Night

Baby Step Back

Race Among the Ruins

The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald

Early Morning Rain

Encore: Waiting for You
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Old 11-29-2021, 10:35 PM   #2
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Default Re: Massey - Lightfoot Nov.25,26,27, 2021 - report/setlists/videos/photos/reviews

Story and video at:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toron...ning-1.6243825
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Old 11-29-2021, 10:48 PM   #3
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Default Re: Massey - Lightfoot Nov.25,26,27, 2021 - report/setlists/videos/photos/reviews

https://www.barrietoday.com/columns/...photos-4803772

COLUMN: Massey Hall welcomes home Gordon Lightfoot (12 photos)
Not only did they make the room sound as good as it used to, but they also – somehow – made it more intimate, says columnist of renovated Massey Hall
Patrick Bales
Nov 27, 2021 7:00 PM

Gordon Lightfoot went home to Massey Hall on Thursday to begin a three-night stand.

Such a suggestion that anywhere but the Sunshine City could claim Lightfoot is likely to get me banned from future editions of the Mariposa Folk Festival, but I’ll stand by it.

After nearly some three-and-a-half years, the Orillia native returned to his proper place at the front of one of the most hallowed stages in all North America and was kind enough to allow some 2,700 patrons to join him. Being one of those fortunate few will be a memory I’ll cherish forever.

Massey Hall held its grand re-opening Thursday night, capping off a $184-million renovation to the famed music hall in the heart of downtown Toronto.

For decades, it has been a world-class destination for musicians and as popular tastes changed, its programming, too, evolved. From operas to Oscar Peterson, symphonies to Sloan, it has attracted the best and brightest in performing arts.

Its history is unparalleled in this country, as is its sound. You could always see that in the faces of the musicians on stage as they performed. They knew who came before them. They knew that they were on the same marks as legends – an endless list, including Charlie Parker, Bob Dylan, Buffy Sainte-Marie, to name a few – and they were sharing in the exact same experience.

By 2018, Massey Hall was perfectly imperfect. A relic of another time that still provided the opportunity to create new memories for future generations. However, in all honesty, it needed more. It needed to be brought into this century while keeping everything from the previous century that made it special intact.

Attending that final show in July 2018, I wasn’t sure how it would work. How could you update the building without destroying its charm? How could you improve the audience experience without ruining what made it such an incredible place to see a show?

Apparently, musicians asked prior to the renovation felt the same way, telling the architect to “fix everything, change nothing.”

Twice Thursday, I nearly broke down in tears. The first time was walking into the auditorium and taking my initial look around. It was just as I remembered it, but more inviting. Artificial light poured through the reborn stained-glass windows, providing a preview of the glow the room will have during summer shows when the sun is still shining outside. The chicken wire was a thing of the past and the beautiful detail of the plaster ceiling was on full display.

The second time was walking back out, after doing another tour of the new concourse areas in the gallery and balcony levels – home to what some people considered the best part of the renovation: new restrooms. At this moment it hit me: they did it. They stuck the landing. Not only did they make the room sound as good as it used to, but they also – somehow – made it more intimate.

I realize it was more than that. It was one thing to be there; it’s another to see Lightfoot one more time. There’s no shame in disclosing that as I left Massey Hall July 1, 2018, I wondered if he would be able to re-open the venue in what was then two years time. He’s not a young man; he’s lived a life. If he hadn’t been able to play these shows – by choice or otherwise – people would understand.

But he was here. And maybe he’s not the singer he used to be, or he can’t play guitar as well since his fall earlier this year that required surgery – none of that mattered. He could have read from the phone book Thursday night and people would have left happy.

Honestly, it was over too soon. After a renovation that felt like an eternity, combined with time having little or no meaning during the past 20 or so months of the pandemic, about an hour after Lightfoot picked up his guitar, he put it back down again, waved goodbye and walked off stage.

We can’t call Massey Hall “the house that Gord built” the same way we can credit Babe Ruth for Yankee Stadium, but we can be certain, without fail, that it is his house. Since that first headlining show in 1967, no one artist has been more synonymous with a venue in this country – maybe even the world.

How lucky are we, in all these times of change and upheaval, to be able to come back again to this communal act of performance and experience the people we admire in the places we love?

Welcome back, Massey Hall. And welcome home Gordon Lightfoot.

Patrick Bales is a music lover, record collector and reporter. He covers politics in southern Simcoe County.
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Old 11-30-2021, 10:17 AM   #4
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Default Re: Massey - Lightfoot Nov.25,26,27, 2021 - report/setlists/videos/photos/reviews

Thanks Char

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Old 12-05-2021, 03:30 PM   #5
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Default Re: Massey - Lightfoot Nov.25,26,27, 2021 - report/setlists/videos/photos/reviews

"Gordon Lightfoot unstoppable in three-night stand to reopen Massey Hall" - By Jane Stevenson (Toronto Sun) - November 27, 2021


https://torontosun.com/news/local-ne...en-massey-hall

You’ve never seen such determination to perform until you’ve watched 83-year-old Canadian folk icon Gordon Lightfoot struggle with putting back his fallen acoustic guitar strap while singing the entire first verse of his signature song, The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, without missing a beat.

Nothing was going to stop Lightfoot, who was delivering his second of three nights at Massey Hall on Friday to reopen the hallowed venue that has been closed for three years for renovations.

And when he did get that elusive strap back on, the crowd of just over 2,500 erupted in applause in the refreshened hall, which dates back to 1894.

Among the new delights that will greet concertgoers are vastly improved seats — they’re comfy and red, with more hip and leg room and drink holders — the welcome return of gorgeous stained class windows that date back to the original build, and bars and restrooms on all three floors so no more running down to the basement for both booze and a bathroom break.

In other words, welcome to the 21st century Massey Hall.

Also, how wonderful to see it full of people again with the famous red sign outside lit up in all its bright neon glory.

Lightfoot, of course, was the man for the job when it came to reopening Massey Hall.

He was the last performer at the venue in July 2018 and before his first show on Thursday night he received the key to the city on the newly christened Allan Slaight stage from Toronto Mayor John Tory commemorating the troubadour’s 170th performance at the venue.

Tory also named Nov. 25 Gordon Lightfoot Day in Toronto.

“It was an emotional experience for which I am deeply honoured,” tweeted out Lightfoot afterwards.

On Friday night, Lightfoot and his four-man band delivered an efficient 70-minute set consisting of just 15 songs after he broke his wrist back in August during fall at home.

Lightfoot complained his injury still “feels like cement,” now that he has a steel plate in there, but he relayed that the doctors tell him he’ll feel better with time.

To compensate for his shorter sets on this run, he had opener Tom Rush Thursday and Friday nights and The Good Brothers will open his third show Saturday night.

“I’m very glad to be back here,” said Lightfoot. “They have done a wonderful job.”

Naturally, such crowd pleasers as Carefree Highway, Sundown, 14 Karat Gold, Beautiful (which he dedicated to his wife Kim), Baby Step Back, and Song For A Winter’s Night drew major cheers while If You Could Read My Mind, The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, and Early Mornin’ Rain got standing ovations.

The audience also repeatedly proclaimed their love for him whenever he stopped talking between songs.

“Welcome back Gord!” screamed one man.

“Marry me Gord!” yelled a woman.

Lightfoot also carefully explained that Home From the Forest, which he also played, was “a hit on the CHUM charts” for Ronnie Hawkins when he covered it and mentioned that fellow Canadian artist Dan Hill was in the audience Friday night.

If you were close enough — I was lucky enough to be third row from the stage — you could hear Lightfoot say initially: “We’re on rock n’ roll time,” right before he even started.

It’s clear he takes performing very seriously and especially when it comes to Massey Hall.

Lightfoot was home again and neither he, nor we, were taking it for granted.

Last edited by Off Yonge Street; 12-05-2021 at 03:36 PM.
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Old 12-31-2021, 01:48 PM   #6
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Default Re: Massey - Lightfoot Nov.25,26,27, 2021 - report/setlists/videos/photos/reviews

1st nite: Thursday November 25, 2021:

https://youtu.be/AUVfzj92tqA
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Old 12-31-2021, 02:08 PM   #8
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Old 12-31-2021, 02:10 PM   #9
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Old 01-10-2022, 04:06 PM   #13
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Default Re: Massey - Lightfoot Nov.25,26,27, 2021 - report/setlists/videos/photos/reviews

Gordon Lightfoot @ Massey Hall,Toronto.Nov.25,2021-(3 nites-Nov.25,26,27,2021) Tom Rush opener on 25th and 26th by char Westbrook, on Flickr


Gordon Lightfoot @ Massey Hall,Toronto.Nov.25,2021-(3 nites-Nov.25,26,27,2021) Tom Rush opener on 25th and 26th by char Westbrook, on Flickr


Gordon Lightfoot @ Massey Hall,Toronto.Nov.25,2021-(3 nites-Nov.25,26,27,2021) Tom Rush opener on 25th and 26th by char Westbrook, on Flickr


Gordon Lightfoot @ Massey Hall,Toronto.Nov.25,2021-(3 nites-Nov.25,26,27,2021) Tom Rush opener on 25th and 26th by char Westbrook, on Flickr


Gordon Lightfoot @ Massey Hall,Toronto.Nov.25,2021-(3 nites-Nov.25,26,27,2021) Tom Rush opener on 25th and 26th by char Westbrook, on Flickr


Gordon Lightfoot @ Massey Hall,Toronto.Nov.25,2021-(3 nites-Nov.25,26,27,2021) Tom Rush opener on 25th and 26th by char Westbrook, on Flickr


Gordon Lightfoot @ Massey Hall,Toronto.Nov.25,2021-(3 nites-Nov.25,26,27,2021) Tom Rush opener on 25th and 26th by char Westbrook, on Flickr


Gordon Lightfoot @ Massey Hall,Toronto.Nov.25,2021-(3 nites-Nov.25,26,27,2021) Tom Rush opener on 25th and 26th by char Westbrook, on Flickr


Gordon Lightfoot @ Massey Hall,Toronto.Nov.25,2021-(3 nites-Nov.25,26,27,2021) Tom Rush opener on 25th and 26th by char Westbrook, on Flickr


Gordon Lightfoot @ Massey Hall,Toronto.Nov.25,2021-(3 nites-Nov.25,26,27,2021) Tom Rush opener on 25th and 26th by char Westbrook, on Flickr


Gordon Lightfoot @ Massey Hall,Toronto.Nov.25,2021-(3 nites-Nov.25,26,27,2021) Tom Rush opener on 25th and 26th by char Westbrook, on Flickr


Gordon Lightfoot @ Massey Hall,Toronto.Nov.25,2021-(3 nites-Nov.25,26,27,2021) Tom Rush opener on 25th and 26th by char Westbrook, on Flickr


Gordon Lightfoot @ Massey Hall,Toronto.Nov.26,2021-(3 nites-Nov.25,26,27,2021) Tom Rush opener on 25th and 26th by char Westbrook, on Flickr
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Old 01-10-2022, 06:59 PM   #14
charlene
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Default Re: Massey - Lightfoot Nov.25,26,27, 2021 - report/setlists/videos/photos/reviews

Gordon Lightfoot @ Massey Hall,Toronto.Nov.26,2021-(3 nites-Nov.25,26,27,2021) Tom Rush opener on 25th and 26th by char Westbrook, on Flickr


Gordon Lightfoot @ Massey Hall,Toronto.Nov.26,2021-(3 nites-Nov.25,26,27,2021) Tom Rush opener on 25th and 26th by char Westbrook, on Flickr


Gordon Lightfoot @ Massey Hall,Toronto.Nov.26,2021-(3 nites-Nov.25,26,27,2021) Tom Rush opener on 25th and 26th by char Westbrook, on Flickr


Gordon Lightfoot @ Massey Hall,Toronto.Nov.26,2021-(3 nites-Nov.25,26,27,2021) Tom Rush opener on 25th and 26th by char Westbrook, on Flickr


Gordon Lightfoot @ Massey Hall,Toronto.Nov.26,2021-(3 nites-Nov.25,26,27,2021) Tom Rush opener on 25th and 26th by char Westbrook, on Flickr


Gordon Lightfoot @ Massey Hall,Toronto.Nov.26,2021-(3 nites-Nov.25,26,27,2021) Tom Rush opener on 25th and 26th by char Westbrook, on Flickr


Gordon Lightfoot @ Massey Hall,Toronto.Nov.26,2021-(3 nites-Nov.25,26,27,2021) Tom Rush opener on 25th and 26th by char Westbrook, on Flickr


Gordon Lightfoot @ Massey Hall,Toronto.Nov.26,2021-(3 nites-Nov.25,26,27,2021) by char Westbrook, on Flickr


Gordon Lightfoot @ Massey Hall,Toronto.Nov.26,2021-(3 nites-Nov.25,26,27,2021) by char Westbrook, on Flickr


Gordon Lightfoot @ Massey Hall,Toronto.Nov.26,2021-(3 nites-Nov.25,26,27,2021) by char Westbrook, on Flickr
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Old 01-10-2022, 07:08 PM   #15
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Default Re: Massey - Lightfoot Nov.25,26,27, 2021 - report/setlists/videos/photos/reviews

Gordon Lightfoot @ Massey Hall,Toronto.Nov.26,2021-(3 nites-Nov.25,26,27,2021) The Good Brothers openers on Nov,27,2021 by char Westbrook, on Flickr


Gordon Lightfoot @ Massey Hall,Toronto.Nov.27,2021-(3 nites-Nov.25,26,27,2021) The Good Brothers openers on Nov,27,2021 by char Westbrook, on Flickr


Gordon Lightfoot @ Massey Hall,Toronto.Nov.27,2021-(3 nites-Nov.25,26,27,2021) The Good Brothers openers on Nov,27,2021 by char Westbrook, on Flickr


Gordon Lightfoot @ Massey Hall,Toronto.Nov.27,2021-(3 nites-Nov.25,26,27,2021) The Good Brothers openers on Nov,27,2021 by char Westbrook, on Flickr


Gordon Lightfoot @ Massey Hall,Toronto.Nov.26,2021-(3 nites-Nov.25,26,27,2021) The Good Brothers openers on Nov,27,2021 by char Westbrook, on Flickr


Gordon Lightfoot @ Massey Hall,Toronto.Nov.26,2021-(3 nites-Nov.25,26,27,2021) The Good Brothers openers on Nov,27,202 by char Westbrook, on Flickr


Gordon Lightfoot @ Massey Hall,Toronto.Nov.26,2021-(3 nites-Nov.25,26,27,2021) The Good Brothers openers on Nov,27,202 by char Westbrook, on Flickr


Gordon Lightfoot @ Massey Hall,Toronto.Nov.27,2021-(3 nites-Nov.25,26,27,2021) The Good Brothers openers on Nov,27,202 by char Westbrook, on Flickr


Gordon Lightfoot @ Massey Hall,Toronto.Nov.27,2021-(3 nites-Nov.25,26,27,2021) The Good Brothers openers on Nov,27,2021 by char Westbrook, on Flickr


Gordon Lightfoot @ Massey Hall,Toronto.Nov.27,2021-(3 nites-Nov.25,26,27,2021) The Good Brothers openers on Nov,27,2021 by char Westbrook, on Flickr


Gordon Lightfoot @ Massey Hall,Toronto.Nov.27,2021-(3 nites-Nov.25,26,27,2021) The Good Brothers openers on Nov,27,2021 by char Westbrook, on Flickr
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Old 01-27-2022, 05:00 PM   #17
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Default Re: Massey - Lightfoot Nov.25,26,27, 2021 - report/setlists/videos/photos/reviews

2nd nite set list - Friday November 26, 2021
1. The Watchman's Gone
2. Now and Then
3. Too Many Clues In This Room
4. Carefree Highway
5. Sundown
6. 14 Karat Gold
7. If You Could Read My Mind
8. Home From The Forest
9. Beautiful
10.Song For A Winter's Night
11.Baby Step Back
12.Race Among The Ruins
13.The Wreck of The Edmund Fitzgerald
14.Early Morning Rain
ENCORE
15.Waiting For You
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Old 01-28-2022, 10:06 AM   #18
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Default Re: Massey - Lightfoot Nov.25,26,27, 2021 - report/setlists/videos/photos/reviews

3rd nite set list - Saturday November 27,2021
Gordon came out for a verse of Alberta Bound with The Good Brothers
1. Did She Mention My Name
2. Now and Then
3. Too Many Clues In This Room
4. Carefree Highway
5. Sundown
6. 14 Karat Gold
7. If You Could Read My Mind
8. Home From The Forest
9. Beautiful
10.Song For A Winter's Night
11.Baby Step Back
12.Race Among The Ruins
13.The Wreck of The Edmund Fitzgerald
14.Early Morning Rain
ENCORE
15.Waiting For You
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