Melbourne, FL
 

Just returned from the concert in Melbourne, FL, very full house, lots of Canadians in the audience, 5th time Gordon had played the King Center. It was a pretty confusing night, the loss of Terry very deeply felt by those who knew him; also the loss of the band that we have been so devoted to in recent decades. That said, Carter was excellent. He knows all the songs, seems very confident, is quite an affable fellow, quick to laugh, very agile fingers that play with finesse and clarity. I expected that Gordon would choose a superior player, as he always has in the past, and clearly Carter is that: superior. While the arrangements have been kept pretty much intact, Carter brings a style all his own, plays with visible emotion, he's really into this music. He was very strong on all the pieces that feature him, elicited applause for his solo on Christian Island. He was also outstanding on his solos on Sundown, The Watchman's Gone, Beautiful, Baby Step Back. Carter seems to have a command of the repertoire, although Rick does seem to be providing some mentoring with the transitions between the pieces and with showing Carter support with comments, compliments, head nods, smiles. It appears that the new band is bonding very well, a high level of camaraderie visible, Gordon clearly the fearless leader. No reference to Terry was made. I'm sure it hasn't been easy for them to get to this point. On the one hand, it's sad to see life go on so apparently seamlessly, yet it's beautiful that the band can show such resilience and soldier on to let the music live. Gordon mentioned his new girlfriend and how she bought him a gift for Christmas that made his eyes pop: a shirt that was 3 sizes too small. I don't know if that is one of the new jokes that was mentioned in one of the reviews last week or a new development. Gordon was having trouble with his voice; the people around me were attributing it to allergies, the sound system, the theater, the mike being too far away, his age; they were guessing but they were noticing. Of course, they were also saying that the drummer was new, that there would be no intermission, and that Rick was Red, so maybe I was just seated with a particularly vocal group. On to Orlando tomorrow.

Re: Melbourne, FL
 

Your review was a ray of sunshine, I loved it

Even the people around you, lol... Thank you

Have fun & hope Gord in optimal form going forward

Re: Melbourne, FL
 

She must have got that shirt in the kids department!! ..I bought him one that was too large a few years ago..lol
Sounds like those folks around you might have been chatty but highly misinformed!!
thanks for the report..safe travels to Orlando...

Re: Melbourne, FL
 

Wish that had been Melbourne, AU!

Re: Melbourne, FL
 

Orlando tonight at 8 PM. Row 3 right on the aisle in front of Terry's old spot and Carter's new one. Got the camera ready (no flash, though), and hope to post pics late tonight or in the morning (assuming they come out ok).

Re: Melbourne, FL
 

Melbourne,FLA.
photos by Lori

Re: Melbourne, FL
 

Thanks so much for posting Sunshine. Good to hear.

Bill :)

Re: Melbourne, FL
 

I am only getting thumbnail type pic quality

But looks cool. Lori has terrific eye

Any version less diminutive? Thanks

Re: Melbourne, FL
 

there ya go James..

Re: Melbourne, FL
 

And to complete the report here is the Melbourne
Florida U.S.A.setlist
Sweet Guinevere
Cotton Jenny
14Kt Gold
Never Too Close
In My Fashion
A Painter Passing Through
then Gord said "A surprise"
Christian Island
Shadows
Beautiful
Carefree Highway
Hangdog Hotel Room
Ribbon of Darkness
Sundown
The Watchman's Gone
Alberta Bound

during the intermission I was very pleased to greet Lori Deby and Donnie:):)

Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald
Ringneck Loon
Don Quixote
Clouds of Loneliness
Let It Ride
If Children Had Wings
If You Could Read My Mind
Restless
Baby Step Back
Early Morning Rain
Song for a Winter's Night

Encore Blackberry Wine

Re: Melbourne, FL
 

Lori,

Thank you so much for those wonderful pictures. :)

DSR

Re: Melbourne, FL
 

I too went to the concert in Melbourne last night with my 19-year old son, who I introduced to Gordon Lightfoot's music and is also a big fan. Gord's voice was weak in the first set but seemed to strengthen in the second set. I guess that's what happens when you're in the "hot, sickly South." I mostly concur with John's set list, with one additional song. Gord performed one of our favorites, "Alberta Bound", as the last song in the first set.

Re: Melbourne, FL
 

Your observations made me chuckle....I would say you were seated with a particularly ignorant group....I'm sure they never realized how just plain wrong they were on all of these conclusions.

Re: Melbourne, FL
 

What boggled my mind in Wilkesboro was the woman loudly disputing Gordon re: the history of the Edmund Fitzgerald. Thankfully, she was quickly hushed by someone.

Re: Melbourne, FL
 

Disputing? tell us more??!

Re: Melbourne, FL
 

Absolutely correct Rob,in my haste and using my non mouse equipped Nokia N800 Internet Table I had tried copying and pasting the Raliegh setlist,which was remarkably similar,but somehow ended up with two draft versions one of which omitted Alberta Bound. To keep the record straight I have now corrected my setlist.

Re: Melbourne, FL
 

Char, she seemed to conflate EF with the Titanic, as she was squawking about the ship hitting an iceberg. :rolleyes:

Re: Melbourne, FL
 

oh good grief..something must have knocked HER in the head !

Re: Melbourne, FL
 

Perhaps she broke deep and took water..........

Melissa

Re: Melbourne, FL
 

The best thing for all of us would be if she were to put 15 more miles behind her