Saturday March 3, 2007
Niagara Falls, Ontario
Fallsview Casino
Gordon Lightfoot – 9:00 p.m.
Set List:
Triangle
Cotton Jenney
14K Gold
Never Too Close
Waiting For You
Rainy Day People
Shadows
Beautiful
Carefree Highway
Hangdog Hotel Room
Ribbon of Darkness
Sundown
The Wreck of The Edmund Fitzgerald
Alberta Bound
All The Lovely Ladies
In My Fashion
If You Could Read My Mind
Restless
Canadian Railroad Trilogy
Baby Step Back
ENCORE
Old Dan’s Records
We didn’t hear any songs from Harmony and Early Morning Rain was missing.
I attended with Dan and Nanci from Hamburg, NY and Brian from the Sarnia area and my daughter Lisa.
The venue at the Fallsview Casino had the most incredible sound..everything was so clear! It seemed like an almost full house and for the most part the crowd was pretty subdued and quiet for the last of three shows.
There was the occasional clap-along and exuberant applause as well as a few shout outs for specific songs.
Lightfoot didn’t have a lot to say between songs probably because as a casino show there’s only about 80 minutes to get in as many tunes as possible! Not nearly long enough but we gladly take what is given!
The band, as usual, was impeccable in the integral part they have in all Lightfoot music. My goodness what an ensemble he’s been blessed to have with him for so long. After all these years it’s very comforting to see them file onstage before The Man himself ambles out.
One story I hadn’t heard before was about Gord at 17 borrowing his dad’s car for the first time and driving from Orillia to the Falls. That would make it the year I was born – 1955! Lol
He proudly pointed out which way the Falls were from inside the theatre as he’d just figured it out! I had to believe him because I had no idea the direction we were facing once inside the casino..Oh my goodness – what a place!
After the concert we went to the front of the stage where the band members and some family/friends were. Barry Harvey was there and we said hi to him. He very graciously let us stay and wait to see Gord.
There were only a few folks talking with the band and after a bit Gord came in and spoke with us. He signed autographs for a few people with his own Sharpie he pulled out of his pants pocket and was very, very relaxed and friendly. We took some pics of everyone and finished up our visit after about 20 minutes or so.
After Gord finished talking with everyone he just tucked his pen back in his pocket and walked out of the theatre..
Gord has left the building!
LOL
I really can’t express how treasured these concerts are for me knowing that sooner than later it will not be possible to see The Man in concert any longer. Hopefully that time is a few years off and will be on his terms at Massey Hall.
I know I’ll be there and at any other shows I can get to before then.
As we drove by a sign for a park on our way to the Fallsview – it said Chippewa.., I immediately went to the lyric – “The Legend lives on from the Chippewa on down..” and thought it perfectly apropos for us to be there to listen to our own Legend in the land of the Chippewa where Niagara Falls, another Canadian icon is located.
And as usual it was a time made even more precious to me because of the company of friends – fellow Lightheads for sure but mostly good friends.
If you can, in any way possible this year, get yourself to at least one Lightfoot concert..Go with family and friends and hold onto the feelings you’ll have as you listen to the songs that define our lives, the musical legacy that still protectively envelops us through tough times and joy, with tenderness and beauty.
The magic of our Lightfoot memories are held close in our hearts and the reality of a life given to fans who now attend as much to give heartfelt thanks as we do to hear the music, are what keeps The Man onstage.
Go and tell him..with your presence, your applause and if possible with a handshake and a simple “thanks Gord.”
You’ll feel SO good…
I promise.
Photos courtesy of Dan R.
[ March 06, 2007, 13:38: Message edited by: charlene ]