[charlene]

Banff, Alberta - Saturday November 26,2011

Bonnie and I drove to Banff and checked into the hotel after driving up the mountains to see Lake Louise earlier int he day. We were happy to give Mr. Fiedler a lift to the venue and find our way to our seats. As the band made their way onstage the crowd of approximately 900 rose en masse and began applauding, bursting into cheers when Lightfoot strode confidently to centre stage. Having never played there it was clear the crowd was thrilled he had finally made it to their beautiful little spot in the Rockies.

Prior to singing The Watchman's Gone he said he wrote it about "the train to the promised land."
During In My Fashion he lost his voice for a whole line due to the dry air and a hoarseness that crept in once a while all night.
While introducing Carter he also mentioned Carter's website and CD's. This was the only night he mentioned Terry 'leaving the planet in February."
He mentioned Ian Tyson living with Sylvia on Dunbar Avenue in Toronto and being there when he wrote "Red Velvet."
He spoke about folks wanting to give him a cowboy hat to wear but not accepting one because he doesn't wear cowboy hats..altho Prince William wore one when he was in Alberta earlier this year.
Prior to singing "Baby Step Back" he gave us a demo of how his brother-in-law swung a golf club, crouching down a bit with very bent knees and a crazy swing.
Other than some breathiness and hoarseness the voice and sound was excellent and the audience was the most receptive and boisterous of all 3 nights. It seemed everyone knew everyone!

After the concert the meet and greet was held in the theatre near the stage. There were only a few people but we waited, as usual, until everyone else had their moment with Gordon. I then asked him about the video that was taken on the second night in May at Massey Hall and if we'd ever see it. He laughed and said "that's mine!" I asked how it looked and he said, "it's good enough, good enough, some songs are too fast tho."
I told him that the fans would certainly love to see it soon because the energy at Massey that night was electric. The band was revved up and it was a very memorable concert that was captured in a one chance event.

We headed to the hotel and met with the band for a drink and some conversation. They had the next day/night off so enjoyed relaxing for a while. The next day on Sunday as we left at noon they were all in the lobby waiting for Gordon and then driving on to Calgary. The jet needs a longer runway so they had to drive. They left after Gordon arrived and we started our drive to Lake Louise and the Fairmont hotel. As we drove there were radio reports of downtown Calgary being hit by high winds, a complete power outtage and lots of damage. I made a call to see if they were ok and was told they were all fine. Bonnie and I were staying at the Fairmont and would drive to Calgary on Monday.

Banff, Alberta
Saturday November 26,2011
Eric Harvie Theatre-Banff Centre

1. Sweet Guinevere
2. Watchman's Gone
3. 14 Karat Gold
4. Never Too Close
5. In My Fashion
6. A Painter Passing Through
7. Rainy Day People
8. Shadow
9. Beautiful
10. Carefree Highway
11. Hangdog Hotel Room
12. Ribbon of Darkness
13. Sundown
14. Cotton Jenny
15. Alberta Bound
BREAK
16. The Wreck of The Edmund Fitzgerald
17. Ringneck Loon
18. Red Velvet
19. Let It Ride
20. Don Quixote
21. If You Could Read My Mind
22. Baby Step Back
23. Early Morning Rain
24. Restless
ENCORE
25. Blackberry Wine