Concert observation

[Jim Driskell]

In Hamilton, I sat the closest I've ever sat at a Lightfoot concert (3rd row). Of course, I loved being up close. One of the things I noticed sitting there was that Rick Haynes sings along often. And I noticed that in many of the songs, he is singing harmonies. My wife simply asked "why isn't he miked?" I have to admit, I was thinking the same thing. I wonder why the band doesn't add harmony. They are obviously capable of doing that. Does anyone know the answer?

[Minstrel Man]

In Hamilton, I sat the closest I've ever sat at a Lightfoot concert (3rd row). Of course, I loved being up close. One of the things I noticed sitting there was that Rick Haynes sings along often. And I noticed that in many of the songs, he is singing harmonies. My wife simply asked "why isn't he miked?" I have to admit, I was thinking the same thing. I wonder why the band doesn't add harmony. They are obviously capable of doing that. Does anyone know the answer?

[Station Master]

you probably only heard him mildly in the mix during Sundown and Triangle, no? i believe he is mic-ed, a fairly large one, there must be a pic somewhere...i doubt it's omnidirectional or it would pickup some of the monitors, i'm sure the answer lies in the archives here or at the NG, great subject that comes up from time to time, i'd just be satisfied if Gord added his own harmonies once again to his studio work

[jj]

you probably only heard him mildly in the mix during Sundown and Triangle, no? i believe he is mic-ed, a fairly large one, there must be a pic somewhere...i doubt it's omnidirectional or it would pickup some of the monitors, i'm sure the answer lies in the archives here or at the NG, great subject that comes up from time to time, i'd just be satisfied if Gord added his own harmonies once again to his studio work

[TheWatchman]

If any of the band members have vocal mics I would be surprised because I've never noticed any. I know that I don't want to hear anyone but Lightfoot singing, especially after the Live In Montreux fiasco.

[Station Master]

you're probably right, but keep in mind that i can dig up bootleg live tapes of stellar harmonizing groups like fleetwood mac, moody blues, blue rodeo, etc, etc where the vox will give you an earache...again, i chalk that usually down to the backup guys not being able to hear themselves in the monitor mix...at other times, fatigue, drugs and booze also contribute...but i've never heard Gord himself off pitch...check the Reno dvd to see that mic in front of Rick, no?

[jj]

you're probably right, but keep in mind that i can dig up bootleg live tapes of stellar harmonizing groups like fleetwood mac, moody blues, blue rodeo, etc, etc where the vox will give you an earache...again, i chalk that usually down to the backup guys not being able to hear themselves in the monitor mix...at other times, fatigue, drugs and booze also contribute...but i've never heard Gord himself off pitch...check the Reno dvd to see that mic in front of Rick, no?

quote:Originally posted by TheWatchman:
If any of the band members have vocal mics -- snip -- especially after the Live In Montreux fiasco.

Who did the backing vocals at Montreux? The music and Lightfoot himself are fabulous, but did they let an alley cat with asthma onstage to sing backup?

quote:Originally posted by TheWatchman:
If any of the band members have vocal mics -- snip -- especially after the Live In Montreux fiasco.

Who did the backing vocals at Montreux? The music and Lightfoot himself are fabulous, but did they let an alley cat with asthma onstage to sing backup?

[joveski]

> Who did the backing vocals at Montreux?


i think its terry clements

[LSH]

If you watch, you'll notice Terry Clements also has a tendency to mouth or sing (whichever) the chorus of Sundown everytime that song comes around.

[Alberta]

The reason the harmony vocals on the Live in Montreaux recording sound so crappy, is because that recording is taken directly off the soundboard, before any levels are adjusted so that the audience hears a more balanced mix. So we're not actually hearing what the audience at that concert heard. As a testimate to the band's harmonizing, one needs to look no further than the Live in New York city radio show Gord did in 1977. Both Rick and Terry sing harmony on that recording and their voices on "Race among the Ruins" and "The Circle is Small" are absolutely spot-on. I wish they were still miked today as they add a such a depth to Lightfoot's singing.

[Kenyon]

The reason the harmony vocals on the Live in Montreaux recording sound so crappy, is because that recording is taken directly off the soundboard, before any levels are adjusted so that the audience hears a more balanced mix. So we're not actually hearing what the audience at that concert heard. As a testimate to the band's harmonizing, one needs to look no further than the Live in New York city radio show Gord did in 1977. Both Rick and Terry sing harmony on that recording and their voices on "Race among the Ruins" and "The Circle is Small" are absolutely spot-on. I wish they were still miked today as they add a such a depth to Lightfoot's singing.

[Station Master]

for sure, lsh, and you'll see Barry Keane doing the same...maybe his drumkit mics are picking up HIS voice and NOT Barry's as i'd originally thought, lol

yeah, nobody more important than the mixing man

here's a quote from Richard from the NG:
May 30 2000, 12:00 am

I plead guilty to the *poor* mixing at Montreux. In those days Gord liked
the harmonies more up front, but not at ensemble level as in a group like the
Byrds. What I found interesting about the venue was that - unlike a normal
concert hall with two main speaker stacks, the room had roof support columns
with multi-directional speakers attached to each column- some 30-40 in all.
When I first walked in, I thought *This is never going to work* (no bass - 8"
speakers). But it did and,to my surprise, I got quite good sound out of it,
IMHO.

[jj]

for sure, lsh, and you'll see Barry Keane doing the same...maybe his drumkit mics are picking up HIS voice and NOT Barry's as i'd originally thought, lol

yeah, nobody more important than the mixing man

here's a quote from Richard from the NG:
May 30 2000, 12:00 am

I plead guilty to the *poor* mixing at Montreux. In those days Gord liked
the harmonies more up front, but not at ensemble level as in a group like the
Byrds. What I found interesting about the venue was that - unlike a normal
concert hall with two main speaker stacks, the room had roof support columns
with multi-directional speakers attached to each column- some 30-40 in all.
When I first walked in, I thought *This is never going to work* (no bass - 8"
speakers). But it did and,to my surprise, I got quite good sound out of it,
IMHO.

[seahawk11]

Yes, there were some 'cringing' moments with the background vocals on the Montreux recording (Race, Sundown, Summertime Dream), but there are also a couple of good spots (IYCRMM and High and Dry are wonderful). I think it all comes down to the fact that Gordon's voice has lost a lot of that old ballsy/baritone quality and it could be more difficult to hear his voice stand out exclusively from the others nowadays, IMHO...