Set List for Fox Theatre St. Louis MO Oct. 1, 2008

[imported_Ordinary_Man]

Cotton Jenny
Carefree Highway
Sea of Tranquility
14 Karat Gold
Never Too Close
In My Fashion
A Painter Passing Through
Rainy Day People
Shadows
Beautiful
Ribbon of Darkness
Sundown
The Watchman's Gone (thanks for the correction Tim)
The Wreck of The Edmund Fitzgerald

Intermission

Triangle
Hangdog Hotel Room
Don Quixote
Clouds of Loneliness
Waiting for You
Make Way for the Lady
If You Could Read My Mind
Restless
Baby Step Back
Early Morning Rain
Song for A Winter's Night

Blackberry Wine (encore)

Gord's voice was quite a bit scratchier than the other night in Joliet, but improved considerably in the second set. Said he was looking forward to a night off on Thursday and would be in front of the TV. Wonder if he's gonna watch the VP debate.

Said they haven't been to Saint Louis in 14 years. I know he WOULD have been here sooner, I still have the unused 2nd row tickets from the year he got stricken with the abdominal aneurysm.

The Fox has something like 4500 seats and it looked like the floor was pretty well filled, couldn't see far into the balcony but I know there were people up there. It sounded like a big crowd anyway.

Gord got long applause for several of the big hits, but IYCRMM garnered an extended ovation late in the show.

Steve

[Tim]

Hi Friends:

Steve beat me to the posting of the setlist. It matched mine with one small difference. The only input that I would offer is that after Ribbon of Darkness, came "the pause" then Sundown, THEN The Watchman's Gone.

It was a great show! I had the privilege of meeting two great people: Gloria, and Kelly (& his beautiful family). There were some memories made for a lifetime. In a day or two, I'll post again about my encounters with those two wonderful people, the concert experience, and the after-concert experience. For now, I need to get a few hours of sleep before I have to get up and go to work.

Take care, all.

Tim

[imported_Ordinary_Man]

Thanks for the correction Tim. Somehow I wrote them down wrong, but I SHOULD know by now that Sundown follows The Pause. (I corrected it above, thanks again.)

Steve

[Jesse Joe]

Thanks you two for the great reviews !

[Kelly Davis]

Hey Tim and Gloria!! Nice to have spoken with you last night at the St. Louis show. Tim, glad you and the kids made it down to 'the dungeon' after the show.

Gord's voice was a little scratchy last night, but it's not about that anymore. It's about Gord's longevity, his love for performing live, and us getting to enjoy his music 'live'. Of course, getting to meet Gordon and the band is always the highlight of the evening.

I had Gord sign my 1st printing of the 'Lightfoot!' l.p. (ebay for $3.00 - no scratches, nice jacket/ in stereo) My wife told him, "You look like James Dean on this." Of course the ever-humble Gordon replies, "There's a hole in my boot." Sure enough, if you look closely at it,there is a hole in his boot!

Before we got our family picture with Gord, my wife says to Gordon, "I like your hair". Gord replies, "I just let it go." (his hair is probably as long now as I have ever seen it in any photos - I was seeing visions of Gordon with a ponytail - but I just don't think he would do that!!!!!)

Anyway, the show was wonderful. Can't wait for the March 18th, 2009 Champaign, IL show!!!!!!!

[GJA]

My first Lightfoot concert and it was amazing. If you have never been to the Fox (Fabulous Fox) Theater in St. Louis let me tell you, it is beautiful. This was my second time and it just gets better.

But back to Gordon. His play list started with Cotton Jenny. I tried to keep a list but it was dark and at intermission Tim came over and introduced himself and he also was keeping track so I left it to him. He will probably post this weekend.

Gordon told us it had been 14 years since he was in St. Louis last. His voice was a little raspy (cold maybe?) but still the songs were great and to breath the same air was just amazing to me. I have been a fan for so long; I’m not sure why it took me so long to get to one of his concerts. But it really was great and he was very talkative.

I was there with my sister, Mary and a friend of ours, Dawn. Our seats weren’t together so I was wondering if they were enjoying the concert as much as I was. Turns out they were! But they said a couple sitting behind them were so loud and kept up a constant chatter that an usher finally came over to quiet them.

It was nice to meet a couple of people from our little “Lighthead” community. Tim from Illinois...and another man and I didn’t’ get his name. Who was that, Tim?

Anyway it was a night to remember.

P.S. As we were heading down Grand Ave. after the show we met a long black limo. Could that have been Gord and his band?

P.S.S. I see someone already posted the set list! Great. Great show all around!!

Maybe I can go the the Champaign one in 2009. That would be fun!

Nice reviews all, thanks! -and so happy for you on your #1 GJA

[charlene]

thanks for the review and report!

Perhaps his voice is raspy from the travel (car/plane) and for being out on the road for so long on this outing - Heffernan told me this is the 2nd longest tour they've done in 20+years.

[Tim]

In July 1976 I was a high school kid with a new Learner's Permit. As we left for Pine Knob, Michigan to see Gordon for the first time, I begged my older brother to let me do the driving that evening. My son recently got his Learner’s Permit and 32 years later (last Wednesday night) he was begging me to let him drive to the concert. How’s that for coming full circle? Or rather, “The Circle is Small.”

On our way to the concert my kids remind me that we MUST attempt to meet Gordon and the guys again. Although it was a school night, my 15 year old son reasoned: “Dad, getting the chance to meet Gordon and the guys is worth being tired at school the next day.”

The familiar set up of the band’s equipment makes me smile because soon some of the best music around will be coming from that stage. It's 25 minutes till “Gord O’Clock” so I took the opportunity to seek out some fellow Cordians. I found Gloria and enjoyed a pleasant chat. She was so excited about attending her first GL show. She’s been a fan for many years. Sometimes when you meet people, you can tell right away that they are sincere and genuine. Gloria is definitely that. After an enjoyable conversation I noticed “Gord O’Clock” was quickly approaching so the kids and I returned to our seats. At about 7:52 (and 32 seconds) the guitars are brought out. As any Lighthead knows, Gordon is very punctual and when the show is scheduled for 8PM, he starts at 8PM (maybe even a minute or two early). It’s 7:58 and a local radio personality comes out and provides a pep-talk intro of the concert. That was nice, but the crowd didn’t need it, they were already fired up for the return of The Man after a long absence from the St. Louis area.

Exactly at 8PM the lights go down and the crowd begins to hoot and applaud as the guys take their places. My son wrings his hands with anticipation and utters: “Oh the moments before a Gordon concert!”

Then louder applause and hoots as the “The Man” wearing a red sportcoat or blazer with dark pants emerges carrying his 12 string, smiling and looking fit. His longer hairstyle suits him well. He steps into the spotlight, takes a quick bow, moves to the microphone and starts strumming. Then the melodic mixture of Gordon’s 12-string, and Terry’s electric pour out with the familiar introductory riffs of Cotton Jenny. After some applause of recognition, the crowd quiets and listens.

His voice sounds good. A little bit scratchy, but that improved during the song. I think his voice sounded better than last year. The kids and I notice a young lady translating the song into sign language near one side of the stage. I’ve never seen that before. (Can anyone tell me if this is something that occurs at every concert now, or was this unique to the Fox Theater?).

The song ends to loud applause. Gord mentions “I’m glad we’re not working tomorrow because we’re going to watching TV tomorrow night.” I’m sure it was a reference to the VP debate.

Next comes a “back to nature” song. The two nature songs that occurred to me are “Restless” and “Sea of Tranquility.” Since he still has the 12-string in hand, I know it was the latter. The E5 chord confirms it. This song featured some great keyboard work by Mike and Gord’s voice was getting noticeably better and stronger.

After “Tranquility” Gord exchanges guitars, then mentioned that it was nice to be back in St. Louis and that it’s been 14 years. As Steve mentioned, a scheduled return was cancelled in 2002.

Gord launches into “14 Karat Gold,” followed by “Never Too Close.” I like the way Gord will selectively go into a lower harmony vocal during certain portions of this song. It sounds great, saves his voice, and it shows off Gord’s natural vocal and musical ability to harmonize on the fly. The next song is “In My Fashion” the guys sounded great on this tune. Rick’s bass and Barry’s drums in particular were fantastic.

Then Gord discussed how the next song can be played with just one finger on his left hand. I knew the tune would be “A Painter Passing Through.” But the joke I hadn’t heard before was when he looked at the fingers on his left hand and asked: “Which one will it be today?” After the song he unwrapped a throat lozenge and popped it into his mouth. I was hoping he wasn't coming down with something. The next two songs were “Rainy Day People” and “Shadows” his voice seemed fine.

The next song, “Beautiful” featured some great guitar work by Terry. His work is always good, but during this performance really seemed to stand out which really enhanced the song.

“Watchman’s Gone” was next and I noticed a significant improvement in Gord’s voice. Maybe the lozenge was working. Then came the Ribbon of Darkness. As soon as Gord starts into R.O.D. my 13 year old daughter leans over and whispers “Are we going to do it?” Then my 15 year old son replies back “No, let’s not.”

I’m sure the people near us probably were wondering what in the heck we were talking about. This was actually the culmination of a topic that we have been discussing at our house for the past few weeks – whether or not to chime in during “the pause” with the words: “OVER ME!” That was why I posted about that a couple weeks ago, I wanted to sound out my fellow Cordians on this dilemma. Having gotten mixed opinions on the issue, we decided not to risk it. I think it turned out for the best because there were some hoots from the balcony during this pause and we may not have been heard very well.

After Sundown, Gordon told a story of how some people would surf the wake of a “Modern Day Flying Dutchman” on the St. Claire River, then launches into “The Wreck.” My favorite part of this tune is when Barry makes his dramatic entrance between the 2nd and 3rd verses. Gordon completes his masterpiece and announces the intermission with “we’ll be right back.”

During the intermission I got up to take a walk. I wondered over and chatted with Gloria again. We both were really enjoying the show and exchanged impressions and observations. My maroon T-Shirt from the Massey Convention of 2001 (the one with APPT theme) drew several comments from various fans. On my way back to my seat, a gentleman who was also wearing a different Lightfoot T-shirt stopped me to chat. It turns out it was Kelly! He was there with his wife and 3 kids. He showed me some of his memorabilia and pictures of Gord and the band from past meetings. We discussed the possibility of trying to get to meet Gordon again. At the time, my plan was to wait outside by the backstage door with our kids. It was great meeting Kelly and his family. Lightfoot fans are the best!

I got back to my seat just in time for the lights to go down and the guys to return to their places. Then Gord comes out, having changed into a long sleeve shirt and vest. The audience applauds warmly as Gord steps back up to the mic and starts strumming. Terry’s electric plays out the familiar beginning to “Triangle.” His voice was great! Then comes the story of all night partying and “Hangdog Hotel Room.” Gordon mentions that he likes the “walking bass” in this song. “Hangdog” was my dad’s favorite song when he was alive. Whenever I came home for a visit, I usually had my guitar with me and “Hangdog” was always on his request list.

After the applause to that one, he exchanges guitars and again remarks how happy he is to be back in St. Louis. Last year I mentioned to Barry Harvey (God rest his soul) after concerts in June and September that he should consider St. Louis for Gord’s 2008 itinerary. I told him that it was a large market that Gord had not visited there quite some time. It may, or may not, have had anything to do with Gord’s return this year, but I’m so glad that Gord did come back.

Gordon launches into “Don Quixote,” then “Clouds of Loneliness” and “Waiting for You.” After the bluesy “Make Way for the Lady” he begins my most favorite song in the whole world: “If You Could Read My Mind.” I always loved this song, either live or recorded. This live rendition was stunning and beautiful. Gord was in outstanding voice with so much feeling as well. This brought the house down, and most of the audience rose to their feet after that one. After the prolonged applause he remarked “I just love playing that song, you can feel the communication.” (that was an understatement).

The lighting changes to a purple hue as the opening note of “Restless” comes from Mike’s keyboard. When he sang about the wild goose being on her way he changed “the weather’s much too cold” to “the weather’s too damn cold.” I thought that was humorous.

Baby Step Back is next. My son Tim always enjoys Terry’s electric on this one. When that one’s over, Gordon exchanges guitars and picks up his Gibson 12 with the capo on the 3rd fret. I know the tune will either be CRT or EMR. Then came a lengthy recollection of the time in Buffalo, NY when he went through the “Elvis had left the building” experience. Then he launches in to Early Morning Rain. The band is really polished on this one. I especially enjoy Rick’s bass.

Back to the 6 string and “Song for a Winter’s Night.” My son Tim noticed that Terry was playing with the capo on the 7th fret. Was that how he always played on this one? I never noticed it before.

Wait, what’s happening?? Just like the 19 concerts before, the end of my 20th Gord Concert came up much to quickly and by surprise. I’m enjoying it all so much I hate to think of it ending. After a lot of applause, Gordon and the guys come smiling back and start into “Blackberry Wine.” Then they leave again, Gord returns by himself, takes another bow or two, then leaves. Then the moment I hate the most, the lights go up.

But I know this isn’t the end. My kids won’t leave until they’ve met Gordon and the guys again – it’s become their tradition.

[charlene]

waiting..waiting..we're waiting...

[Wes Steele]

Thank you Tim.

I felt like I was there with you.

Good Job!