http://www.orilliapacket.com/Article...aspx?e=2182906
Studio not priority for troubadour
Posted By JOHN SWARTZ
Posted 7 hours ago
I hope you've got time for a little more about Gordon Lightfoot.
One of the things we talked about last week was performing. He told me it was unlikely he would be recording another album. He mentioned he was performing long before he ever made a record and it didn't seem like he'd miss being in a studio. He said he would continue touring as long as his health held up.
Of course, those who were at the concerts this past weekend, and also saw him the last time he played here know his health is quite fine. He played his guitar and sang better than many other 71-year-old men could hope to.
He also said he likes to keep his shows to two hours including an intermission.
"People don't need to be held. You don't know how bloody long this guy is going to stay on stage," Gord said.
I think most would disagree with the premise that we'd get tired of hearing him sing more songs. Heck, he didn't do Early Morning Rain, Black Day in July, Rainy Day People, Old Dan's Records, and quite a few others. I'm sure we'd have all stuck around for a bit longer to hear some of those.
He actually stayed on stage until 10:05 p. m. He came back to do Blackberry Wine as an encore. That's something I don't understand. It's a good tune, He's sung it many times at concerts I've been to, but it's not the closer. I thought it kind of left the audience flat.
He'd just finished doing Canadian Railroad Trilogy, a tune everyone hopes is coming and most can't wait to hear, even though it usually means the end of the show is very near. How does Gord follow it up, though? Summer Side of Life? You Are What I Am? I don't know. Which of Gord's tunes is the right one to end a night is a question I can't answer; I just didn't think Blackberry Wine was it.
All that said, the concerts this weekend weren't at all like his return to Mariposa following the aneurysm. It wasn't like the make up at the Opera House for the one that got cancelled, and it certainly wasn't the one-off when he popped into McCabe's to sing with Steve McEown and Steve Eyers -- all of which were moments in their own way -- it was Gord as we want him to be, strong and entertaining.
By the way, the guitar auction is underway. At the time of writing, the bidding is up to $3,000. Not bad for a guitar retailing at $2,500. The auction ends Nov. 26 at 7 p. m. and you can find it here: ebay.ca/Gordon-Lightfoot-Autographed-Martin-D-18-Guitar.