Gordon strutted his fine self out on stage, looking finer than I’ve ever seen him look. He was dressed all in black, including boots, (same as mine, I might add), with a vest and the nice bracelet on his right wrist. His voice, to me had a full range quality about it that I’ve never heard from him (Saw him first time in 2000). The audience was very kind, in a way that he deserved and appreciated.

The songs were arranged very differently, than in previous shows. And, Gord appeared professional but relaxed enough to actually retune, at least two times that I can remember.

Straw Boss is sporting a beautiful white ponytail, now. Terry looked like Terry, Barry, the drummer looked thinner and, the keyboard player looked the same.

I was really doing good with the set list to memory till the third song, Harmony, which he prefaced by talking about when he wrote this song, being during his emotional roller-coaster pinnacle. With that song, my emotions went wild in how they connect with my own personal life. At that point I remembered the second two songs. Then at some other point in the show, he played Shadows and then I lost it all as far as a set list goes. I decided at some point in the show that he was playing my whole emotional life and then it was over, as far as a set list was concerned.

Straw Boss sang Sundown without a microphone.

Great show! Great seats!

Funny thing about the Sycuan, no alcohol at the Casino! What?! I’m not a gambler or a drunk, but this was only the second time I had been to a casino, both times for a concert, never to gamble, or have a drink. Ok, from the beginning, rows and rows of handicap parking. I’m not kidding, a whole parking lot of handicap parking, for a casino! I parked about 1/3rd of a mile from the entrance, Oh sure, they have shuttle, but where was it? I hiked it, both in and out.

So, I met a Northern Californian, named Dennis at the show (planned) and we thought it would be nice to have a drink. There was an establishment that I noticed on the way in, about 3 miles before the casino and easy to see on the way in. I found it after turning around, but my friend didn’t. I ordered a glass of wine and went to sit in some real comfy chair by a window. Next thing I know, in walks the lead guitar player, the keyboard player and the drummer of said band.... I called my friend after the lead guitar player walked in and said, I think you really want to turn around and find this place.....

A few sheets to the wind and blissfully happy, yes this is blondie. A thousand pardons if this is unreadable, but in the morning it’s back on the road, up to Woodland Hills and then back down to Cerritos for tomorrow nights’ show.

Let’s see what I can remember:
Don Quixote
Harmony
Sea of Tranquility
Sundown
IYCRMM
Baby Step Back
Clouds of Loneliness
Shadows
Make Way for the Lady
Ghosts of Cape Horn
The Wreck
Cotton Jenny
Hangdog Hotel Room (pretty sure)
Shadows
He did not do Canadian Railroad Trilogy, but did one oncore. Don’t ask me what it was?

And, Oh yeah, Barry lost a lot a weight and looks real fine, too.


--


"Some cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go."
- Oscar Wilde

Kim,

Let me be the first to say great job on the review. Sounds like we're in for some great shows in 2005. Thanks.

Bill :)

Hi Bill,
Excellent job of the review...heightens the expectation of Vegas, I can tell you. By the way, do you think there's any alochol in Vegas?

Thanks for the report. Can't wait...and yes, there is booze at The Orleans show. The Showroom has a bar right in it!

Kim. What a cracking intro.
In the words of one of our most esteemed Sydney footy coaches you " Done good , played strong.." ( He isn't as dopey as that may come across....)

That was what so many of us were hoping for.

Who else will step up to the base ?

Tall order but it has to be done....

K 4 Kim , K 4 Kool ! K 4 Kongrats... K 4 Kant spell...

Great review! Thanks Kimberly!! Now am waiting for tonight's show's review.... P.S. Kim...stay up until almost 2:00 a.m. last night hoping for a late-night posting -- what were you thinking to make us wait until today? LOL! Just kidding!! I think I should wear waterproof mascara tomorrow night...

Took the better half to the show at Sycuan last night as a birthday surprise. Pretty tough to pull that one off as she pays the bills and wondered what the charge was for. Anyway, having seen about fifteen concerts over the last thirty-seven years, I think this was probably the most gratifying. Lightfoot still has it down. He was clearly thrilled to be back on stage, as we were to have him. His voice was strong throughout the 90 minute--no break--performance. His range was as good as I've heard in his voice since the 90's. There was no vocal fading even toward the end of this long set of tunes. The song selection was terrific, including the best rendition of On the High Seas I've ever heard in concert. It was good to have that one in the mix. There were many older songs, which my wife loves. On a couple of occasions very strange sounds emanated from the keyboard. Could that have been intentional? If so, that's an experiment which should be chucked, and soon. Otherwise, the band did their usual fine job, even without being introduced this time. I guess GL figures we all know them by now, anyway. All in all, a masterful performance, much stronger and cleaner than we expected for the first time out. Gordon still bites off the words like no one else. His illness has not affected his persona or his style in any way whatsoever. It's like he wasn't ever gone. What a thrill. It certainly brought a tear. Go see this guy while you can, folks. Something this good can't last forever.

Sheryl, You should have stayed up, just a bit longer, because that was when this was finally finished.

BTW See you in Agoura Hills....
Kimberly

Set List as posted by Doug, on the NG:

1 Spanish Moss

2 Don Quixote

3 Minstrel Of the Dawn

4 In My Fashion

5 Ghosts Of Cape Horn

6 Rainy Day People

7 Harmony

8 Sea Of Tranquility

9 Cotton Jenny

10 Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald

11 Sundown

12 Hangdog Hotel Room

13 Make Way For the Lady

14 Never Too Close

15 Shadows

16 Clouds Of Loneliness

17 If You Could Read My Mind

18 Baby Step Back

19 Song For A Winter's Night

20 On The High Seas

21 Old Dan's Records

Encore

When he came back out he said, "We're not gonna try the big one (I think he
was talking about CRT) but we'll do one kinda of like it"

22 Early Morning Rain

Many thanks. Many thanks. Did I say, "Many thanks?"

I'm already dressed and ready to go tonite. Gonna fast till Mimi's.

It's difficult to type with your heart a-goin' Thumpity-Thump-Thump (mulitiply by Pi.)

Gonna go outside and find a dandelion.

The Rez

I agree, whole heartedly!
Kimberly

Rez, you are funny!
I need a nap.
Kimberly

Fabulous set list, of course I love all the songs. He even did Song for a Winter's Night. Fantastic! I am sooo ready for next weekend.

Jon how nice of you! What a great gift. I hope you will be rewarded accordingly. Very nice review Jon and Kimberly. I can hardly wait. I feel like I am 7 and Christmas is 3 days away!

Awesome! He had the twinkle in his eyes when he just nailed one. Just like the old days! Great to see him back. The fingers didn't look "stiff" to me! CD

Thanks, again, Jon and Kimberly! What a wonderful thing, this medium, so we all can share in something as awesome (not meant in the teenage sense)as Gord's profound music and lyrics. I've been listening to his CD's all day today while preparing our Passover dinner. It's been sheer heaven. I.... can't..... WAIT!!!!

KB - THANK YOU! What a great report - I so wish I could have been there! But what happened to Christian Island?????????? :(
Thanks to you all who gave us an insight into Gord's Return ... Toronto is coming and and I cannot wait! I am soooooooo excited!

glad you enjoyed it.!. wihs he heads downunder again but i doubt it.

and as for On the high seas, its been a long time since he's played that hasnt it?. the other side look common with the last few years.

i hope he brings back the auctioneer!