[Tim]

(Set list is posted at the end if you want to skip the personal observations)

Like many of you, I’ve been attending Gordon concerts as often as personal funding and schedules allowed for the past 3+ decades. Throughout the entire time, Gordon has offered an amazing consistency in style, imagery and band personnel. Gordon Lightfoot has grown from admired artist, musician and poet to having a special, cherished niche in my life. This has also been true for my family. Periodic family reunions include guitar jam sessions that are chock full of Gordon’s music.

Over the past two days prior to this show, my son and I drove 800 miles from St. Louis to Washington DC to spend some special time with family and to meet at a Gordon Lightfoot concert at Wolf Trap in Vienna, Virginia. There were 8 of us in all, brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews, all to enjoy the music of one who has practically become family over the years.

This is my first visit to Wolf Trap and I see right away that it is perfect for Gordon. Situated in a woodsy setting, one can’t help but have many of Gord’s “Back to Nature” songs resonating in their heads as they approach the amphitheater. This evening’s weather called for a very hot, humid evening with severe thunderstorms. But, as if there was intervention from a higher authority, the skies were calm and there was actually a cooling breeze as we approached the amphitheater. As we approached the amphitheater, I looked down the slope of lawn and pavilion seats to see the stage in its familiar, friendly setup that warms the heart of every Lighthead.

For the last 33 years I’ve come to love seeing the pre-concert stage setup, the position of the stools, microphones, and instruments always reassured me that one of the greatest artists would soon take the stage.

We get to our seats and at about 8 minutes before show time, the guitars begin to come out and the anticipation builds. Gordon has always been very punctual so it did not surprise me that at exactly 8 o’clock the lights went down and the guys came out to applause and took their places. Then out steps Gordon carrying his 12 string, smiling and looking very fit. To thunderous applause he makes a couple bows at stage center. Spontaneously, most of the audience rose to their feet as they continued to applaud his entrance. Gordon clearly appreciated this and the applause would have continued had he not stepped to the mikes and the lovely first strains of “Triangle” fill the evening air.

Not wanting to miss a sound, the audience quickly took their seats and quieted down. Gordon sounded in good voice, the best I’d heard him over the past three years, hitting many of the high notes that he opted out with lower harmony in years past. The volume mix sounds sounded good as well. “Triangle” comes to an end to loud applause. Next come “Cotton Jenny,” “14 Karat Gold,” “Minstrel of the Dawn,” “Never Too Close” and “Let It Ride.” Rick’s bass solo on Let It Ride was really great. Gordon mentions that he is happy to back at Wolf Trap and how much he and the guys “appreciate the work.”

Then, it’s into “Painter Passing Through.” After that was a medley of “Spanish Moss” and “Shadows.” The songs went together well and the transition between the tunes was beautiful.

Next Gord says he wants to dedicate the next song to “everybody out there.” Then he starts into “Beautiful.” This song has always been special to me as it was played at my wedding 28 years ago. But this time, the song took on a new meaning with Gord’s dedication. Some minor lyrical changes made it clear that Gord really meant to offer it to the audience in a statement of love and appreciation of those who love and appreciate him. What a great song!

Back to the 12 string and Gordon plays “Carefree Highway” and then “Hangdog Hotel Room” which was always a favorite of my father’s when he was alive. My brother and I both study Terry’s guitar work through the binoculars taking notes to try to perfect the guitar lead between the 2nd and 3rd verses. Our family really appreciated this one.

Then came the medley that we were all anticipating: “Ribbon of Darkness” and “Sundown.” Our good friends Meg and Rick attended Gord’s concert two nights prior at Chatauqua, NY and, after some encouragement from me, Meg filled in the pause between ROD and “Sundown” by singing out the words of “Over Me” during the pause between those two songs. My brother, son and I planned to do the same here. I could tell that my brother and my son were as nervous as I was as Gord played through “Ribbon of Darkness.” How would the crowd react? More importantly, how would Gord react? The last thing we wanted to do was to disappoint him on a night that was going so well. But we decided to do it. The pause came and we sang out the words “Over Me” to spontaneous laughter and then applause by the crowd. But the night was made when Gord smiled and pointed in our direction, then went into “Sundown.” Judging from the smiles from those around us, I guess it went pretty well. The last song of the first set was “The Watchman’s Gone” where Terry’s leads came through clearly.

Then it was intermission. I took the time to visit another fan in the audience who was wearing the same type shirt as I was from the Massey Hall May 2001 reunion. The wonderful gentleman was Dave who has been on this website before with the signature “Too Much to Lose” but he frequents the website less often now. We had a nice chat, then it was back to my seat for the second half of the show.

Gordon and the guys came back out for the second set to appreciative applause. As it has been in many concerts past, he opened the second set with “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.” This time he offered a spoken introduction about the event and the families. The tune was warmly greeted by the audience.

“Wreck” was followed by “Alberta Bound,” another family favorite. As Gord picks up his second 12 string that is on the stage, I expect “Early Morning Rain.” But instead, he asks for loon calls from the audience. There were one or two that were pretty good. At this point I wished my daughter was with me, as she loves all types of birds and can do an excellent loon call. Gordon puts a couple of selected audience members to work, asking for loon calls on the “quiet parts” of this next tune, then it’s into “Ring Necked Loon.” I’ve heard this song many times from the CD but this is the first time live. The effect of the loon calls on this song, in the beautiful woodsy setting of Wolf Trap was really amazing.

Gordon follows with “Don Quixote” and “Waiting for You.” This song featured an eye-catching back drop with red lights. Then, it’s another song that I’ve never heard live: “If Children Had Wings.” I never heard the personal intro before about his kids from his first marriage were living in France when he wrote the song. I liked this song live very much.

Next came my most favorite song in the world: “If You Could Read My Mind.” The guys were phenomenal on this one, as they always are. Loud, long, and appreciative applause on this one.

Then came “Baby Step Back” and then “Restless” which was done wonderfully. Another perfect song for the setting of this venue. Barry’s percussion on this one was superb. Then, Gord explains about his planned meeting with Elvis before he launches into “Early Morning Rain.” Next came another favorite, “Song for a Winters Night” which featured wonderful string work by Mike and his keyboard.

As always, the end of the show comes too soon. The guys stand and walk off to loud applause. Gord bows and waves a couple times and leaves to thunderous, appreciative applause. The guys quickly return with Gord for an encore of “Blackberry Wine.”
Another round of appreciation and bows. Gordon is all smiles as he waves and exits the stage for a final time.

Then the show is over as the lights come up. My family and everyone else around us in the audience are very appreciative of a great show. It’s time to go.

Except, no one told my 16 year old son. For the past four concerts over the last 3 years he was successful at meeting Gordon and the guys after concerts on four straight occasions, all without any special passes or credentials. He was not going to leave without trying here as well. Most of my family has early work on Monday morning and they reluctantly say good night and head to their cars, while I turn and head toward my son who is already talking to the Wolf Trap staff at the side of the theater near the backstage door. (to be continued ………. )


Setlist:

Triangle
Cotton Jenny
14 Karat Gold
Minstrel of the Dawn
Never Too Close
Let It Ride
A Painter Passing Through
Spanish Moss
Shadows
Beautiful
Carefree Highway
Hangdog Hotel Room
Ribbon of Darkness
Sundown
The Watchman’s Gone

Intermission

The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald
Alberta Bound
Ring Necked Loon
Don Quixote
Waiting For You
If Children Had Wings
If You Could Read My Mind
Baby Step Back
Restless
Early Morning Rain
Song for a Winter’s Night

Encore

Blackberry Wine