Stir Cove review
 

Review of Gordon Lightfoot at Stir Cove
by Karen Freeman
http://omahanightlife.com/articles/lightfoot_stircove

His voice is now a soft whisper in the wind, but his demeanor and his sincerity remains.

I love Gordon Lightfoot – I’ve always loved Gordon Lightfoot – and what a fabulous opportunity and thrill to be in his company once again. My favorite outdoor venue, Stir Cove, gave me my favorite folk singer on Sunday night. I stood in awe of what this man has accomplished and in admiration of a man who has overcome a host of obstacles in his five-decade career.
He was verbal and he was appreciative. He delivered every hit in my songbook and then some. Mr. Lightfoot is a legend. He is known most famously for his acoustic guitar performances and his baritone folk story-telling. This Canadian is nearly 72, but still has the fortitude to deliver an hour and a half performance to a full house. I won’t dwell on his maladies, but the man has suffered some life-threatening illnesses, and overcome them only to come back to his home on the stage.

Lightfoot is a decorated musician and songwriter, having received honors in both Canada and the US, as well as international acclaim. He has presented the legions of his fans with twenty albums – and nothing compares to this story-teller and his talents. I’d be willing to bet that each and every one of you knows the words to at least one Gordon Lightfoot song, even the youngsters! No one can intone Sundown, or If You Could Read My Mind quite like Lightfoot; nothing resonates like the warble of The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. It all still gave me goose bumps, but then I’m in love with some of his remote stuff like Daylight Katy. He is now and always will be a heart-tugger for me.

The audience was as anticipated. Mostly a baby-boomer crowd of couples, mostly in their chairs for the night and mostly reminiscing their first wedding dance to Beautiful. It was a two-way street of appreciation, a give and receive kind of night.

I’d just like to throw down my two-cents on a little concert decorum. I was extremely bothered by a group of six or eight folks right near the stage – who should have known better. It requires a great deal of effort to play to an audience, whether you’re a hard rocker, or a folk singer. That should in turn garner the respect and esteem of the adoring fan. These folks were more interested in conversation and belly laughter than the sweet melodies that were emanating from the platform. Hey – if that’s the case, take it to the back of the house and let the rest of us enjoy what we came to enjoy. I’m just sayin……..

Re: Stir Cove review
 

Thanks Char - Karen Freeman wrote a nice review. Haven't we all, at some show or another, wanted to run some folks out of the place. But I've noticed in some venues the front row people are not always big fans but big contributors or children of same or even season ticket holders at the venue. As she wrote "I'm just sayin......"

Bill :)

Re: Stir Cove review
 

Golden nitpickers award goes to me :

" This Canadian is nearly 72,..."

I count nearly 73 .

Re: Stir Cove review
 

Unfortunately it sounds as though she experienced the same sort of front-row rudeness that I observed in Milwaukee. It was a very nice review, though.

Re: Stir Cove review
 

yep - nearly 73 ...
and
rudeness of all sorts, from all seating areas of the venue is universal..sadly.
it's remarkable that people 'of a certain age' still feel entitled to behave badly.

Re: Stir Cove review
 

Enjoyed reading this review...thanks!

Re: Stir Cove review
 

Just in case anybody else is confused here
The Most Honurable Moderator failed to mention that that undated review is an "old" one and that the Sunday Concert in question was NOT last Sunday October 9th but two whole weeks ago on September 25th when the Orchestra played at Harrah's Casino and Hotel in Council Bluffs Iowa
a vnue which just so happens to have an outdoor concert area called Stir Covehttp://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F0v6yDXvrL...themidwest.jpg

Re: Stir Cove review
 

This is becoming pretty chronic and one reason I rarely go to any concerts anymore. Two Lightfoot shows I saw featured one fellow thinking it was a karaoke-style singalong session while at the other, a physical altercation broke out between a couple chatting their way through the show and people around them bothered by the hubbub. Sheesh ...

Re: Stir Cove review
 

At the Burton Cummings concert @ Massey a couple of weeks ago the guy behind me sang along at full tilt..Burton sounds like he did 30 years ago and if you know his songs you know his vocalisations and stylings....something not to be attempted by the audience/prat sitting behind me for sure! Even a few turns of the head and death stare did not stop him...For 'group singalongs' I don't mind it but for the ballads I don't want to hear anyone else but the artist I paid to see. Period.
As far as fisticuffs - call the cops! lol