CASINO RAMA SETLIST/PICS/REPORT - Apr.20,2012
 

Gordon Lightfoot – Friday April 20, 2012
Casino Rama, Orillia Ontario – 9pm – 10:30pm

SETLIST
1. Sweet Guinevere
2. The Watchman’s Gone
3. Waiting For You
4. Never Too Close
5. A Painter Passing Through
6. Let It Ride
7. Rainy Day People
8. Shadows
9. Beautiful
10. Baby Step Back
11. Carefree Highway
12. Cotton Jenney
13. Ribbon Darkness
14. Sundown
15. The Wreck of The Edmund Fitzgerald
16. Early Morning Rain
17. Christian Island
18. In My Fashion
19. Couchiching
20. If You Could Read My Mind
21. Restless
22. Canadian Railroad Trilogy

Standing Ovation – ENCORE

23. Blackberry Wine

Re: CASINO RAMA SETLIST - Apr.20,2012
 

As my friend Deb and I pulled into the Casino Rama parking lot it started to rain..just a wee bit tho. At the last minute as I headed out the door I had grabbed an umbrella and within minutes of trying to find a parking spot the deluge had started..Good grief it was coming down in buckets and the wind was picking up. Our parking spot was about half way back to my house which is 90 minutes south of Orillia, and the walk to the casino saw us both hanging on for dear life to our umbrellas and our pants sopping up every drop of water on the pavement. Our pants were soaked to the knees! Oh well, we were early so headed in to find our seats and look around and start to dry out! The hall is huge with lots of removable soft seats on the floor and raised seating behind them. The raised seating all folds away by remote control so the hall can be used for a variety of things including curling.

Soon enough it was 9 pm and the hall was full to capacity of 5,000, the lights dimmed and as usual the boys in the band walked out, followed by Lightfoot in black pants, boots, blue waistcoat and what seemed to be a white shirt but later on backstage I saw it was a soft pink.

He looked full of confidence, big smiles showing on the giant screens on either side of the massive stage. He wasted no time getting into his 90 minute set and started with Sweet Guinevere. He kept things rolling along and didn't have much to say all evening other than thank you and we love the work. He did say the old chestnut of the next tune was an ethereal one that was reviewed in Field & Stream which got a big laugh. After Restless was over he said he would be doing it at the Songwriters Hall of Fame event in June and he'd see how that goes over down there! Blase, blase he muttered... and someone else would do another of his tunes 'cuz that's how they do things. I'm sure there weren't more than a few people who knew what he was talking about..

At one point he mentioned how fortuitous they were to be able to still be out touring. The crowd was a bit vocal with a few shout outs of "Welcome Home", "we love you" and a few singalongs and clapalongs in some tunes. He did seem winded singing CRT and Cotton Jenney. Overall he was full of smiles and seemed very, very happy. He's had a very busy time with all the interviews with press/paper/radio/tv promoting the LIVE CD but is very proud of how it has turned out. He never mentioned the new CD from the stage at all.

After a very fast 90 minutes we headed backstage where it seemed all 5,00 people in attendance were lining up with photos to get a picture snapped, and a quick autograph. In reality there were about 50 and Warren had them hustling in and out in record time. It was nice to chat with a few familiar folks including his lovely new lady, the guys in the band (Carter was a no-show) and just stand back as I usually do and watch Gordon interact with his fans. Despite being aware of the large number of people he met every individual with a smile and welcome and a quick word or two without flagging at all. It's quite remarkable. When everyone was finished I snuck into view and was received with a Hi CHar! and hug. I told him he sounded terrific and looked very happy. A wee bit of a hair trim might be in order but I didn't mention that..lol

I joked with him about the last week or so being an "all Gord/all the time" thing when I have opened the papers, watched tv, listened to the radio and read Macleans magazine. He said "well I have the new CD to sell!"...

That's when I kidded him about when it would be my turn to come over to the house and do an interview...he said the record company set it all up with the press and I laughed because the last thing he needs to do is explain things to me...I said "I'm givin' ya the gears Gordon!"..." but another phone chat would be nice." He said, "We can do that!, we can get caught up!".. So that's something to look forward to.We can commiserate over our Leafs and then talk baseball..lol. He also said "thanks for keeping it all out there CHar!” :)

A few pictures were snapped, a quick hug and goodbyes all around and we were headed out to walk thru the parking lot in the light rain that was falling.

Seeing Lightfoot perform in the area where he grew up as a youngster in a time so different than we live in now makes me thankful that there was that moment when a young small town boy made a life decision to become a singer/songwriter. The influences of his surroundings have stayed with him and are reflected in every phrase and melody of his songs. Songs that still make us sigh, songs that make us cry, songs that make all of our senses come alive and transport us to moments in our own lives. These are gifts from a master wordsmith and musician.

Having The Man still touring and bringing his life to us is a remarkable gift. I feel like it's Christmas morning every time the lights dim and then shine onto the gift in my own life that is Gordon Lightfoot. I'm hoping that 2012 allows me to Tag Along many more times to see my gift.

pics:
last pic: Gordon was telling me that we can do another CHat with CHar..
I was giving him the gears about all the Toronto press-paper,tv,radio,magazines all going to the house to their interviews in the last couple of weeks and was wondering when it would be my turn..
He laughed and said that it was all set up by the record company and they all showed up on one day at the house taking turns.
;)

Re: CASINO RAMA SETLIST/PICS/REPORT - Apr.20,2012
 

A very excellent report. Thank you! My copy of the new CD can't get here soon enough.

Re: CASINO RAMA SETLIST - Apr.20,2012
 

One thing I liked was when someone shouted 'Rock on Gordie" or something like that. Gord replied by saying something like "No, this is folk music ... we play folk." (not sure of exact quote ). He then proceded to play Early Morning Rain. ...Perfect song after that exchange! I got goosebumps when I recognised the tune.

His voice seemed especially strong for this song as well as for IYCRMM.

Great show Gord !

Re: CASINO RAMA SETLIST/PICS/REPORT - Apr.20,2012
 

Yeah - he liked to clarify it was folk music and said he wrote EMR in 1965.. I always find EMR, IYCRMM and a couple of the older ballads are always spot on and take my breath away.
Where were you sitting Rick? Wish I'd known you were there!

Re: CASINO RAMA SETLIST - Apr.20,2012
 

Seeing Lightfoot perform in the area where he grew up as a youngster in a time so different than we live in now makes me thankful that there was that moment when a young small town boy made a life decision to become a singer/songwriter. The influences of his surroundings have stayed with him and are reflected in every phrase and melody of his songs. Songs that still make us sigh, songs that make us cry, songs that make all of our senses come alive and transport us to moments in our own lives. These are gifts from a master wordsmith and musician.


;)[/QUOTE]

I think, perhaps, there was another poet in attendance last night. What beautiful words you've written to describe what so many of us feel. Thank you for sharing you evening with us. Of course you know we all wish we'd been there.

Re: CASINO RAMA SETLIST/PICS/REPORT - Apr.20,2012
 

Another great report from a great wordsmith! Thank you so much for bringing each of us to that concert. Can't wait for May 20!!

Re: CASINO RAMA SETLIST/PICS/REPORT - Apr.20,2012
 

I was sitting on the left hand side a few rows up from the floor.... right beside the woman who sang along with every song. She did sing quietly and really didn;t bother me that much ... sort of sweet actually. I thought we had great seats with a great view but I couldn't help but watch the screens. Nice camera work focusing on his fingers as he picked and his face as he sang.

My plan was to check on here and see if anyone from the site was going and maybe arrange to meet for coffee or something. Part of the trouble with being a chronic procrastinator is that you end up rushing around at the last minute and missing out on things. It would of been nice to meet for sure.

Re: CASINO RAMA SETLIST/PICS/REPORT - Apr.20,2012
 

I LOVE those big screens. awesome closeups - and overhead shots... The woman in front of me hacked, coughed and wheezed 98% of the time. Thankfully I wasn't in front of her.. She was seriously sick yet there she sat spewing her cold all over and drowning out the singing for those in front of her..

Re: CASINO RAMA SETLIST/PICS/REPORT - Apr.20,2012
 

TWITTER from CASINORAMALIVE on concert day -

Wanna know how to make jaded music techs stop dead in their tracks? Put #GordonLightfoot on stage! #soundcheck!

Re: CASINO RAMA SETLIST/PICS/REPORT - Apr.20,2012
 

Fantastic posting, Char! Keep up the most excellent work!

-DellroyGM

Re: CASINO RAMA SETLIST - Apr.20,2012
 

Agreeing with the others; a poetical description - that is exactly how I feel listening to his songs, Lisa!
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I think, perhaps, there was another poet in attendance last night. What beautiful words you've written to describe what so many of us feel. Thank you for sharing you evening with us. Of course you know we all wish we'd been there.[/QUOTE]