Minnesota Tribute to Lightfoot (8/10/2023)
 

The Chanhassen (MN) Dinner Theatre presented a Tribute to Gordon Lightfoot on August 10. Only one show was scheduled and it sold out quickly. Three more concerts have been scheduled for March 2024.

Michael Monroe, well-known Minnesota musician, was the lead vocalist and played four different rhythm guitars. He was backed by a lead guitarist, another playing bass or keyboards, and percussion.

He commented a lot on facts about Lightfoot that any newsgroup member would know. He started a couple songs on the 12-string in the wrong key and kept adjusting his capo. But he did great with the lyrics and all songs were presented in their entirety, faithful to the album version. They performed two sets, like the Lightfoot concerts of old.

First Set:

Minstrel of the Dawn
Wherefore and Why
Summer Side of Life
Bitter Green
Early Morning Rain
Go-Go Round
If You Could Read My Mind
Rainy Day People
Race Among the Ruins

Second Set:

Two of Monroe's own songs

Restless
Affair on 8th Avenue
For Lovin' Me
Beautiful
The Circle is Small
Sundown
Wreck of the E. F.
Encore: Carefree Highway

My wife's highlight was Bitter Green, which Monroe nailed for sure. My favorite was an energetic "The Circle is Small." I had only heard the Circle is Small once in all my many Lightfoot concerts, so it was very welcome to hear.

More obscure songs like "Affair on 8th Avenue" and "Wherefore and Why" I had never heard in concert at all. So those were surprises. Monroe talked about the difficulties in narrowing a Lightfoot Tribute set list.

So it was a great evening. Room full of Baby Boomers but a very pregnant woman sat a couple of rows in front of us.

Monroe's concert tribute is a worthy night out- check it out next March 2024 in the southwest Minneapolis suburbs.

Sad to hear of Brink's passing- I don't remember meeting her but her posts were always from a kindred spirit who shared an appreciation for Lightfoot's music.

John- Minnesota