Minneapolis- Sept. 22

[seafarer62]

Another striking, strong performance by our favorite troubadour. I went with my sister and we reminiscenced about how we saw him together on Easter Sunday night in April 1984. She said that she was amazed that at nearly 69, he had the strength and stamina to do two sets. Gord looked great, happy, and at ease on stage.

Several Corfidians got together. My sister and I had a great visit with MnMouse and her husband and daughter at a StarBucks. We then found GitchGummee and LouiseinMpls at a neighboring Starbucks in a Barnes and Nobles. Then during intermission, we all found Claudia and her husband near the orchestra pit. Great getting to meet one another. I think some around us thought we were nuts but that's fine.

The State Theatre looked sold out to me. After his stroke during his last appearance here (Sept. 17, 2006), we were gladened to see him so much stronger. Someone yelled out "How do you feel?" Gord replied "Great." He said that he needed help in Minnesota twice before. The first time was when he got drunk after an appearance here. The second was last year with his mini-stroke.

[In a previous Minneapolis show, he described the drunk incident. The story goes back to early 80's when he went to a bar after a Minneapolis show. He ran in to several Northwest Airlines pilots who had been laid off that day. Apparently they all drank the night away and needed help in the morning.]

Set list:

1) Triangle
2) Cotton Jenny
3) 14 Karat Gold
4) Never Too Close
5) Painter Passing Through
6) In My Fashion
7) Rainy Day People
8) Shadows
9) Beautiful
10) Carefree Highway
11) Hangdog Hotel Room
12) Ribbon of Darkness
13) Sundown
14) The Watchman's Gone
Intermission
15) Wreck of E.F.
16) Alberta Bound
17) Don Quixote
18) Clouds of Loneliness
19) Waiting For You
20) Make Way for the Lady
21) If You Could Read My Mind
22) Baby Step Back
23) Restless
24) Canadian Railroad Trilogy
Encores:
25) Blackberry Wine
26) Old Dan's Records


Gord made a minor lyric flub starting the 2nd verse of Trilogy but quickly recovered. He did the high parts at the end better than I thought he would have. There was an occassional hoarse period now and then but not bad. He did the same encore as the previous night in Rochester: Taking his precious 12-string off stage after Trilogy and returning to do two songs consecutively.

Anyway, we didn't get to see RJ. Maybe in Duluth. By the way, Claudia is attending Duluth. My wife and I plan to meet up with Claudia at Grandma's (bar and grill) on the big lake they call Gitch Gumee. I will be wearing a purple t-shirt with the University of Wisconsin on it so you can't miss us. We plan to have a table at Grandma's at about 5:45 p.m. Who knows? Maybe Rick or Terry will be there anyway. Anyone can join us. Then we will walk along St. Louis Bay over to the DECC. There's always something about hearing the Edmund Fitzgerald in Duluth. Maybe a mile from where the ship left the Burlington Northern Dock #1 all those years ago.

RJ: Stop up and say hello either in Grandmas or else at intermission. Debbie and I will be on the main floor, center section, Row 1, Seats 7-8. Look for the purple t-shirt in honor of our Minnesota Vikings !!

Will report back on Monday with the set list and other notes. Time to turn in !!

[Claudia]

I can only underscore what John said. Gordon really looked and sounded great. Sometimes a lot better than I would have expected, no 'slurring' of the words, etc. Trilogy was kind of hard for him but it sounded that he didn't have much trouble with the high notes but sounded a little hoarse. Maybe a rest of the cold he caught, I would think.
But it truly was an amazing evening and I enjoyed every second. I'm glad, John wrote down the set tlist because I was just too mesmerized to write anything down.... It was fun turning around and watching other people in the audience. Most people had a big smile on their face all the time - like me. They were very appreciative and not subdued at all. Gordon, I thought, was quite chatty that evening. He clearly was happy and felt well, no doubt.
No need to mention his band, they were superb, like always.

It was fun meeting Gitchigumee, John and Sharron with her family and and I'm looking forward to hook up with John and his wife tomorrow in Duluth.
After the concert I was waiting outside with Sharron and her family and we were hoping to see Gordon coming out after a while. Then I spotted Barry Harvey outside, smoking a cigarette and talking to some other guys. I fought the inner struggle of my life but eventually collected all my courage and approached him. I introduced myself and apologized for bothering him...He was awfully nice and when I asked him how I could manage to get on the famous list to get invited backstage he simply said: "I can take care of it right now", and let me downstairs to the room where all the other people were waiting to greet Gordon and the Band. I couldn't believe it and was glad I had a couple of minutes to collect myself before Gordon actually came. I talked to Gordon for a few minutes and got a picture signed for a really good friend of mine. He really is just a great person, very easy to talk to. I also talked to Rick and Terry for a while, same here - just great guys.
And no, I did not take a picture from me and Gordon. It probably sounds odd but watching all the other people posing with him, I decided I wouldn't want that. I met him, talked to him and it'll be in my heart and memory forever, I just don't need a picture to remind me.

After the concert tomorrow in Duluth they'll fly home immediately and are not going to stay the night in town. Terry mentioned that he really likes to go home and do nothing...but Rick seems to really like the touring and said it doesn't bother him at all, it's just fun!

Alright, almost 2:00am and I should get my beauty sleep. But I'm still so excited... Can't wait to tomorrow.

[RJ]

re: RJ: Stop up and say hello either in Grandmas or else at intermission.

I'll do my best.. we're leaving the Twin Cities shortly for a (what looks to be a lovely!) day in Canal Park.. I'm fond of saying that there are 3 nice days a year in Duluth, but if you can find one of'm?.. well.. you're in absolute heaven lads and lassies.. all systems go, go, go..
;-)

up to big lake..
..
..

[Peter Bro10]

This has been great reading, but are there any photos???

[Claudia]

Yes, Peter Bro, I'm working on it already...I know everybody is anxious :-)

[Claudia]

Alright, here are some pictures from last nights concert - enjoy

[brink-]

Originally Posted by Claudia

Then I spotted Barry Harvey outside, smoking a cigarette and talking to some other guys. I fought the inner struggle of my life but eventually collected all my courage and approached him. I introduced myself and apologized for bothering him...He was awfully nice and when I asked him how I could manage to get on the famous list to get invited backstage he simply said: "I can take care of it right now", and let me downstairs to the room where all the other people were waiting to greet Gordon and the Band.

You are very brave and we're glad you were able to reap the rewards of that bravery.

[seafarer62]

Leaving soon for Duluth. Absolutely gorgeous day in Minnesota today and going north, the leaves will be showing great color.

I thought about something else from last night's Minneapolis concert: the corny jokes. Same as in Rochester.

He told the same joke about "How long is the hair on a rabbit's back?" The audience went, "No, Gord, how long is the hair?" Gord replied, "About five seconds." Good thing no one from PETA was offended.

The other joke was "Why is the moon so pale?" "No Gord, why is the moon pale?"

It is up all night.

Gord mentioned that the source of these jokes was his barber.

RJ and Claudia: Debbie and I look forward to seeing you in Duluth. We are tired of motel rooms after much recent travel so we plan to come back tonight. Just like Gord is flying home right after the concert. Full report to the newsgroup on Monday.

John (seaferer62)

[Peter Bro10]

Thanks for the pics and added notes!
fun stuff, and nice images!!!

[charlene]

great pics and review! everyone looks great but too bad for Barry that he's still smoking..
I'm on him about that whenever I see him..lol

[Moosedog]

Great recap and pictures! Thanks for sharing that with us.

Vickie