Sunday January 23, 2011 – Night 3.
GORDON LIGHTFOOT
At 8:30 Gordon Lightfoot along with Mr. Bernie Fiedler (and friend) arrived at Hugh’s Room. Lightfoot and Mr. Fiedler (who carried Gordon’s guitar) and went upstairs to the Green Room. Mr. Fiedler came down and took his seat at a table on the raised dining area right beside the stairs the performers take to get to the stage. In front of their table is a ‘half-wall’ that overlooks the small lower level of diners and the stage. A few minutes later Lightfoot passed behind me where I was standing by the stairs near the bar area and took his seat. The lights had already dimmed and the show began. During the show Gordon seemed to be having a really good time, clapping vigorously after some songs, sometimes with hands above his head and he also clapped along during some tunes. I couldn’t tell if he participated in any singalongs because I was standing behind him about 30 feet away.
After the Good Brothers finished their two tunes Brian Good stayed onstage after his brothers left. “It is at this time I have the great privilege of introducing the next act. He’s a man we’ve known for over 40 years, he’s a friend and mentor to us and the reason why we’re all here tonight. (at this point a gasp went up from some of the audience who did not know Lightfoot was there) He has graced us all with his songs about love, adventure and inspiration. He’s certainly my favourite writer and obviously yours as well. Please welcome Gordon Lightfoot”
Lightfoot descended the few steps beside his table and made his way to the stage while we all gave him a loud and heartfelt standing ovation. The house band had left the stage so he was alone with his guitar.
He acknowledged the applause with a quick “thank you very much” as he strapped on his guitar. A couple of strums and a “well alright” and “when I heard about the event this year I thought what the fuck am I gonna sing?” Somebody said “some Bob Dylan” but Gord didn’t hear them as he was strumming and laughing. He then was ready to sing as he said “I think Jory did this one but I’m gonna do it anyway.” He then sang “Knotty Pine.” After about a minute he said “I was playing it a lot better at the house I’ll tell ya that.” Lol
He did have a few blips on the guitar and his voice at first was a bit reedy and scratchy. His second tune was “All The Lovely Ladies” and the third and last tune was “East Of Midnight.” As he left the stage we gave him another prolonged standing ovation as he made his way through the crowd and on upstairs. WOW… another up close and personal few minutes listening to a legend grace us with three remarkable songs. Breath- taking once again.
Lightfoot Introduction & Lightfoot performing
“Knotty Pine” -
“All The Lovely Ladies” -
“East Of Midnight” -
David came back up and said he’d taken a poll and none of the musicians in the house and no one wanted to follow that…
This was now intermission and time for folks to head to the merchandise table and support the artists there tonight.
I had made my way to a centre set of stairs leading to the stage and sat there to record Lightfoot as he sang. A gentleman who was also sitting there asked if I could send him MP3’s or copies of the video. I said sure and asked who I would send them to. He said to send them here, to Hugh’s Room..he owns Hugh’s Room..lol
I headed back to the bar area where our Ron Jones was along with my daughter and get some fresh air. After a few minutes Lightfoot came down the stairs into the bar area and walked over where I was. We spoke for a moment only because he was on his way back to his seat as the second half of the show was about to start. David was standing there and I asked him to take a quick picture, which he did and then I snapped one of him with Lightfoot. We both thanked him and the show began again.
Lisa and I had stayed downtown on Friday and Saturday nights but had to vacate our room at the Marriott at 1 p.m. on Sunday. That meant we had to find things to do until early evening when we would head to Hugh’s. So that meant some shopping, eating and we also went to a movie to stay out of the bloody cold. We were also carting around a suitcase and backpack along Yonge Street. The streets were brown and gritty and the wind was howling but being properly bundled up it wasn’t too bad. On Friday and Saturday nights we had reservations for dinner and show and because Lightfoot usually shows up for the Saturday show I didn’t book seats for the Sunday show… I got a couple of calls earlier in the week telling me that Lightfoot would be there on Sunday!
Dear Jory took care of things for us so we wouldn’t miss the last night. Having taken the GO train into Toronto we would be taking it home as well…except that the last train leaves at 12:15 and the shows are not usually over until close to midnight. There’s no way to get to Union Station in that time frame – we also had to take the subway first before getting to Union Station. It’s about a 25 minute trip with on transfer to the southbound line. BUT – there was a 1:20 a.m. bus heading to Whitby that we could make if we left shortly after the show ended.
Goodbyes were said to Mr. Fiedler and Lightfoot, Jory, David and Ron, Bruce Good and a few others while we loaded up our gear and headed out into the early morning cold. After our subway and bus rides we were home at 2:20 a.m. And at 7:45 a.m. my little daycare toddlers were at the door…and we all napped for a couple of hours on Monday afternoon! And Tuesday too…
I am so blessed to live close enough to Toronto to get to these sorts of events and to see Lightfoot in these moments that are so unique. The blessings that have come into my life through my love of Lightfoot music cannot be measured. It is just not possible. There are the fans I’ve met who have become friends, the musicians who so graciously adore Lightfoot and have accepted one slightly obsessed fan into their fold, and Lightfoot himself who seems to be okay with the fact that when he looks over his shoulder he knows I’ll be tagging along….