Meredith Moon (Lightfoot) performs at Hugh's Room

[charlene]

Wednesday night I headed to Toronto to HUGH'S Room (where the annual January Lightfoot Celebration shows are held -11 years now) and enjoyed 4 up and coming young artists. One of particular interest was Gordon's youngest daughter, Meredith who at 19 is a very talented musician, songwriter and vocalist. Dad has proudly told me he's 'coaching' her. The DISCOVERIES showcase is produced by the lovely Jane Harbury who well knows Gordon from back in the 60's when she managed the Riverboat Coffee house in Yorkville where Gordon really had his career take off.

This past January Meredith sang Steel Rail Blues at Hugh's (video on Youtube) between the two songs her dad sang and did a marvelous job. It is no easy feat to get up on stage in a small venue of 200 people who are there to celebrate the music of your father! and she excelled that night. Last night she had 30 minutes and sang 5 songs, a couple of really beautiful ones she wrote herself. She did a piano piece by Joni Mitchell and an old traditional tune, "I'll Fly Away" with a friend on guitar while she played a dulcimer I believe.. Before the show a friend was sitting in the lobby/bar area where there is a piano. When I spoke with him about 30 minutes before the show he told me a young girl had sat down and played a piano piece that brought him to tears it was so beautiful. He asked her if she had written it/recorded it or had a CD he could buy. She said it was a Joni Mitchell tune and she was a huge fan but she didn't have any CD's. He didn't know it was Meredith until I told him. wow.

I spoke to her prior to the show starting and she was a bit nervous and at one point during a tune she just completely forgot the lyrics. The audience was very lovely with her as the other artists all have been onstage many times and have CD's and she's just starting out. She goes by Meredith Moon (her mums maiden name) not Lightfoot.. She tried to think of the lyrics but when they weren't coming to her she carried on with her friend and sang their duet. Like her father she's not a big talker onstage so she let the music speak for itself. She had some friends there to support her and mum and dad as well. I spoke with them for a while before Mer had her turn when a 15 minute break happened. Gordon is ready to hit the road again but was excited for Meredith, as was her mum. I wished Mer luck and gave her a hug before she headed onstage. Gordon and Mer's mum Liz came in about an hour after the show had started and sat at a corner table. Nobody recognized him or knew he was there other than one couple who wanted pics and autographs and one woman who while I was speaking with him obviously didn't see or hear us and just barged right on in. But Gordon told her I was the 'main internet' person keeping the news out there..lol --- Gotta love him..

Gordon spoke with my daughter for a while and very nicely, as did Mer and Jane, ask her how she was feeling as they know about her ongoing physical problems after a june 2012 car accident. Very sweet of them to remember and ask. Gordon and I were talking about his exercise stuff and said it was good that Lisa does her exercises every day..he looked at me and I said I don't exercise at all! He then said 'well you look great! - you're in great shape!"..lolol -- He doesn't do anything when out on tour but is so dedicated that when arriving home after a tour at 2 a.m. 'on the aircraft' he will go to bed and get up and go to the gym that day and start again. He's a man of habit for sure! When Mer was done I spoke with her and told her she did a great job, her vocals were perfect and her playing was superb..a couple of lyric screw-ups but that's fine - nothing that dad hasn't had happen even after 50 years..lol... She said thanks for coming to see her and support her.

On the way out Gordon walked over and gave me a hug goodbye and said he'd see me on Friday! I told him I thought Meredith did a great job for her first time onstage like that and he smiled...(I'd told him earlier I'd be in Buffalo) - He and Liz left together and headed out in his car with him driving. It's nice that they still care about each other and the kids and come together to support Meredith the way they do. I didn't get any still pics but shot video that I will send to Mer and she can post them if she wishes. I'll send a copy to Gordon and Liz too. I really hope Meredith keeps up with the music because she is talented in such a natural way. She should be quite proud of herself!

[Dave, Melbourne,Australia]

Char,

Congratulations on another wonderful report. As I've said before, no media reporter could present the human side from close to Gord's "inner sanctum" like you do.

[lighthead2toe]

Yes, Char.

You always come through with the comprehensive matters in special detail and I thank you so much.

Yes, it was me sitting at the bar and yes, the piano notes I was hearing made me weep.

Hugh's Room has some unique features about it, one is having a piano just inside the entrance which also is where the bar is set up.

I was there to catch Meredith's performance and she was on the bill with several other up and coming young artists and I could see many of their friends came along to support them as well.

There were lots of young women with long flowing hair coming and going and I couldn't tell one from the other.

Sitting at the bar enjoying a glass of ale trying to keep on top of what was going on with the hockey game as the Toronto Maple Leafs were playing that night as well, these sweet piano notes started to grace my listening ears and I could hear something in them; it was the feel going into the notes I'm sure that drew the tear. It was like a "Fine as Fine Can Be," or a"Bells of the Evening" kind of feel to them. It was beautiful.

I couldn't see the face of the woman playing as the way the piano was positioned from where I was sitting it was a sort of back, side view and I wouldn't have known it was Meredith as the last time I saw her she looked different and there were many women around and three were on the bill that same evening. It had to be her of course and it was. They change a lot when growing up for sure.

She was very sweet and seemed a tad surprised when I told her it drew a tear and she then told me it was a Joni Mitchell tune and she was a big fan of Joni.

I was hoping to be able to come home that night with my very first "Meredith Moon" cd but she'll have it when the time is right for her.

I always said from the first time I heard her sing; we'd be hearing more from her and she did a great show. Very powerful voice and her writing, not surprising is "right up there with the best of them."

Another very "Lightheaded" evening.

[Auburn Annie]

Great review, Char, and so good to have the folks there supporting her.

[jj]

bravo, Meredith

you know, as wonderful as Wayne's reviews, introjections into Lightfoot recordings, TV, radio, misc insights, tidbits, facts, etc are at Gord's website, there is something very different and warming in char's live recaps and ron's poetic chasers, that you find here for so many, many years....we are blessed

[paskatefan]

What a great story! The music tradition continues in Gord's family!

[Rob1956]

I don't know...this just makes me feel very sad. Please Mer, go back to school, please.

[charlene]

school won't teach nor allow her to be the artist she wants to be... she is blessed to be one who can live her fathers lyrics and write, play and sing her life:she like her father has a creative musical life ahead of her...
Don't you be one who passed through but never saw
Ever knowing never feeling anything
Will you live your whole life through never knowing what to do
Will you be one who passed through but never saw

Will you live your whole life through never knowing what to do
Will you be one who passed through but never saw

[Patti]

She used the last name Moon? It'd be cool if Miles married a girl with the last name Davis, and took her last name, then he could be Miles Davis.

[charlene]

Last October I saw Gordon's youngest and very talented daughter, Meredith, perform at Hugh's Room in TO where the annual Lightfoot trib shows are held every January. she performed for about 25minutes - two clips and a video of the whole night are at:

MEREDITH MOON - "River" -...

[Affair on Touhy Ave.]

Since when did she start using her Mom's maiden name?


First time I remember her being mentioned here whoever it was regarded her as Meredith Lightfoot.

[Lisa J]

She has a beautiful voice. Thanks for posting this.

[charlene]

She IS Meredith Lightfoot, that's why she's been called that and now at this point in her life for the musical part of her life she's known as Meredith Moon..

[jj]

seems so many amateurs and pros are covering the River these days since Sarah dusted it off ...that's what seemed to happen also when she put SFAWN on her Xmas album ...no complaints by Gord or Joni I'm sure

the Moon version here has disjointed chord progressions vs melody arrangement but i assume it's mostly nerves...nice camera angle..nice voice

of all the youtubers out there, i'd say this performance/arrangment impressed me most

River - Joni Mitchell (Acoustic Cover) - YouTube

GL and a handful of other artists and athletes got some key breaks but i'd i think most in today's generation have wised up and either have concurrent education or make education the priority then give their dreams a go mid20s ...but some don't have to worry about having a fall back plan for $$ comfort

[lighthead2toe]

I've been listening to this beautiful tune many times since I discovered it was the one Meredith played at her concert.
It really is a very nice piece of work by Joni Mitchell and seems to blend in well with the season.
It does have an element of loneliness about it though.
It seemed Meredith was rehearsing it when I heard those piano notes at Hugh's Room and she really does put everything she has to offer into her music.
We look forward to her next appearance.

RJ.

[Dave, Melbourne,Australia]

James Taylor did a cover of "River" on the 2006 album "James Taylor at Christmas" and I think it's the best song on the album.

[jj]

i had thought it was more well known... its a fave for any gal on piano to sit and tinkle away at with vocal (same way guys play Stairway to Heaven in guitar shops, lol) ...ever recital i see has girls fighting over who gets to claim it

how about the old Linda Ronstadt version...i think the best (well it did chart top 100 Billboard 2006) rendition (band arrangement, vocal) is the live on Leno version when SarahM released her big success holiday album...her version of In The Bleak Midwinter (

In The Bleak Mid-Winter ... ( Sunrise !) Sarah...

) is likely tops on that album though...Wintersong is likely the second gem (like River, just vox/piano)

Sarah McLachlan - River (live on Leno) 2006 -...

when she played it at Massey, she was just on piano with cello on the assist

speaking of cello, i hope Fox brings it again but uses no prerecorded tracks this year

[charlene]

Kevin Fox who performed at a Lightfoot trib.show at Hugh's also does it:

Kevin Fox - River [Joni Mitchell Cover] - YouTube

and

Kevin Fox - River live @ Hugh's Room - YouTube

[JohninCt.]

Next to Joni doing it, I would always like Sarah M. singing it. She fascinates me with her moves and voice. Funny how most times when the polls are on, you very seldom see her included. Same goes for Joni Mitchell about polls.

[jj]

Originally Posted by charlene

Kevin Fox who performed at a Lightfoot trib.show at Hugh's

ugh, he used the looper / prerecorded mix like he did at the tribute ... rather hear it all live and less layers but it's certainly fun to use the technology (check out Luke Ducet (Whitehorse) use of the looper OR HaJo (nice production work, as always, Bob)