Minneapolis- State Theatre- Sept. 17

I think it is amazing that he carries on so well despite the stroke. I talked to him this morning and he is about the same, just concerned about getting better so he can finish the tour! Such a great, humble guy. I hope he takes the time to take care of himself, however.

PJP

[Cathy]

It's a lot easier now that my thyroid has kicked back in and is at normal levels.
Of course, the type 2 Diabetes scare probably had something to do with it, too.

[Doug]

Originally posted by PJP:
I think it is amazing that he carries on so well despite the stroke. I talked to him this morning and he is about the same, just concerned about getting better so he can finish the tour! Such a great, humble guy. I hope he takes the time to take care of himself, however.

PJP

You talked to him?? Out of couriosity - where did you see him?

[Claudia]

Originally posted by PJP:
I think it is amazing that he carries on so well despite the stroke. I talked to him this morning and he is about the same, just concerned about getting better so he can finish the tour! Such a great, humble guy. I hope he takes the time to take care of himself, however.

PJP

You talked to him?? Out of couriosity - where did you see him?

[ELizabeth]

I am so worried about GL! I hope he recovers soon and is back on tour. However, I have a feeling that will not be the case. So many of our musical icons are aging...GL, John Stewart, Paul Simon and Arty, Ian Tyson, Meat Loaf, Don McLean to name a few. It's enough to make a girl feel sad and old.

[louisemnnpls]

We saw and heard Gord last night at the State Theatre in Minneapolis. You're all right. "what a trooper he is." He made light of his lack of dexterity in his hand, and just forged right ahead.
The reaction of the audience was especially touching. The feeling of empathy and "oneness" was
palpable. I've never quite had that experience before. It was if all the audience was willing his arm and hand to be able to work. Gord, may you be well, and your health be restored.
My husband has this year undergone major health problems, and last night I looked at two men, who in spite of all odds are still alive. There were two living miracles, and I just thank God for that. We don't know what tomorrow will bring, but God can work miracles.

[Gitchigumee]

Hello! I'm new and I cannot tell you how happy I am to have found this site. I was at the Gordon Lightfoot concert in Minneapolis on Sun. night, Sept. 17th, and before I go on, let me apologize for repeating information that may have already been posted. I have not read through all of the posts yet.

It was my first Gordon Lightfoot concert. I am a huge fan but I just haven't been into the concert scene that much other than when performers come to my home town, which is small and about a 3 hour drive from Mpls. I will spare you the details of how I came to know about this concert, but suffice it to say it was a very big deal for me to be able to attend the concert on Sunday night.

When Gordon came out on stage, I was not expecting to see the young man who graces the covers of my CD cases, and was not surprised to see a thinner, aging man in his late 60's. However, I recognized him immediately even from my vantage point of balcony seating. He began the concert with Cotton Jenny, and his voice was weak and he appeared to be having difficulty hitting the high notes, and I thought to myself, oh no. But...he found his voice in the second song, and his singing became stronger and stronger with each passing song. There were a couple of songs he did which sounded identical to the albumn recordings from 30 and 40 years ago. And except for the time when I was moved to tears as he sang Early Morning Rain, I found myself at the edge of my seat and smiling the entire time.

I know you've all discussed his health issues of recent days, which is heartbreaking after all he's been through, but I really believe he was having a good time, and in fact he said so more than once. It was awesome to see him smile, and he was actually really funny and had us all laughing at times. At one point he turned to look at his band members to pick up the tempo, and we were all clapping along you know, and so we thought we'd help pick up the tempo so we started clapping faster, and then he had to tell us to bring it down again. It was a very special and funny moment. It made me feel for an instant that I was a part of his music and that in some small way I had made a personal connection with him.

Forgive me for being sentimental, but you could really feel the love in that beautiful theater on Sunday night. The applause after each song was intense and long. The concert was interrupted several times by shouts from the croud of "I love you Gordon!" and "You sound great!" There were several small standing ovations, but at least three times the entire crowd was on their feet applauding.

But what struck me the most, I think, was his humanity. He did not try to hide any of his frailties, and in fact made light of them several times. He sounded excited about his right hand and the fact that the feeling was "coming back." In fact, he was very upbeat about everything, including the fact that he's been able to be productive the past few years, i.e. making music and touring. He seemed very humble to me and handled everything very gracefully.

I will never, ever forget the experience of hearing in person the voice which I have heard a million times on my car stereo, my office boombox, and at home relaxing in my back yard... the voice which has soothed me during many rough times in my life and the voice which I feel is itself a special friend all my own. Gordon's music has touched my heart deeply and I now have a very special memory which I will never forget of the man himself. Thank you, Gordon, for sharing with the world your wonderful gift of song. You are a treasure!

[joveski]

playing higher up the neck might be cause the frets are close together and requires less finger movement?

[Jesse Joe]

Hi Gitchigumee, and welcome to Corfid. I like your handle name, when I joined, I was going to take it, but it told me it was already taken. I guess I was spelling it the way it is in the song.

Thanks for your update, Gordon Lightfoot is the best. Regards!...~Jesse-Joe~

[Jesse Joe]

Hi Gitchigumee, and welcome to Corfid. I like your handle name, when I joined, I was going to take it, but it told me it was already taken. I guess I was spelling it the way it is in the song.

Thanks for your update, Gordon Lightfoot is the best. Regards!...~Jesse-Joe~

[charlene]

Originally posted by Gitchigumee: He seemed very humble to me and handled everything very gracefully.

that's the Gord we know and love!

glad to hear you had such a memorable time....
I'm hoping all goes well for him and he comes back home without any further medical events..

Char

[charlene]

Originally posted by Gitchigumee: He seemed very humble to me and handled everything very gracefully.

that's the Gord we know and love!

glad to hear you had such a memorable time....
I'm hoping all goes well for him and he comes back home without any further medical events..

Char

[Gitchigumee]

Thanks, I didn't look up the spelling. But the obvious reason I used it is because of Gordon. In fact, a month ago I spent a week in the Apostle Islands which are in Lake Superior, and when I told a park ranger there that I had tickets to see Gordon Lightfoot, she was so jealous. Everyone knows him up there, he's a part of their lore and will be forever because of Edmund Fitzgerald.

[Jesse Joe]

Sorry Joveski, we seemed to have type together, but you are right about the higher frets, less finger movements.~Jesse~

[Jesse Joe]

Sorry Joveski, we seemed to have type together, but you are right about the higher frets, less finger movements.~Jesse~

[louisemnnpls]

Originally posted by Gitchigumee:

"Thank you, Gordon, for sharing with the world
your gift of song. You are a treasure."

Gitchigumee, you captured the essence and deep feeling of Sunday night at the State Theatre SO beautifully! Yes, Gord's projection of his humanity and humbleness, endeared him (I'm sure to everyone there) even more than before.

That was funny when we all started clapping!
It did escalate, didn't it?

My husband just agreed. He said that it is THE BEST concert that he has ever attended, because of all the things we have been recounting. Somehow, because of Gord, it seemed like we were all one family.

[Cathy]

Welcome to our little world, Gitchigumee. You certainly made a very readible first post!

[Gitchigumee]

What's the word today? Didn't he have a concert last night in Wausau, WI?

Some of you folks seem to be very close to Gordon...I think one of the posters was even referring to him as boss. What's the scoop? I'm assuming some of you are Canadians, and live in or near Gordon's hometown. Are some of you members of his crew? If so, can I quit my job and join you on tour? ha ha (can't find the smiley faces, where are they?)

[Rossport59]

I was at the State Theater on Sunday eve. Any other performer would of cancelled in light of the events. Shortly after telling us about his TIA and appoligizing that his guitar playing wasn't 100%, he did "A painter passing through". It was a moment to remember. The set list posted in one of the other forums seemed accurate except he did oncore "Old Dans Records". Terry Clements playing was amazing!!! Sure glad I was there.

[hock]

I was at the State Theater on Sunday eve. Any other performer would of cancelled in light of the events. Shortly after telling us about his TIA and appoligizing that his guitar playing wasn't 100%, he did "A painter passing through". It was a moment to remember. The set list posted in one of the other forums seemed accurate except he did oncore "Old Dans Records". Terry Clements playing was amazing!!! Sure glad I was there.

[Gitchigumee]

Originally posted by hock:
I was at the State Theater on Sunday eve. Any other performer would of cancelled in light of the events. Shortly after telling us about his TIA and appoligizing that his guitar playing wasn't 100%, he did "A painter passing through". It was a moment to remember. The set list posted in one of the other forums seemed accurate except he did oncore "Old Dans Records". Terry Clements playing was amazing!!! Sure glad I was there.

You're right, when he played "A Painter Passing Through," it gave me goose bumps. It was very prophetic, and I think an excellent take on how we are all just passing through history, so we should try to make our mark. Gord has definitely done that (understatement of the year).

[seafarer62]

From the Sept. 22 Minneapolis StarTribune:

Observations of the Sept. 17 Gordon Lightfoot concert at the State Theatre


http://www.startribune.com/1526/story/692168.html

[Carlos]

My wife and I attended the State Theater concert in Minneapolis on 9/17, and despite the transiet stroke he suffered it was a good show. He started out with Cotton Jenny, but his vvoice was thin and weak. Thankfully his voice seemed to get a lot stronger with each song.
I was disapointed he didn't do anything from the Harmony album, but considering his state, I was happy to see him at all (last time was at Northrup Auditorium in 1978 I think!).
Does anyone have any recent info on the stroke he had on 9/15? Have the symptoms abated?

[shustad]

My wife and I attended the State Theater concert in Minneapolis on 9/17, and despite the transiet stroke he suffered it was a good show. He started out with Cotton Jenny, but his vvoice was thin and weak. Thankfully his voice seemed to get a lot stronger with each song.
I was disapointed he didn't do anything from the Harmony album, but considering his state, I was happy to see him at all (last time was at Northrup Auditorium in 1978 I think!).
Does anyone have any recent info on the stroke he had on 9/15? Have the symptoms abated?

[Kathy Number Four]

I had never been to Gordon Lightfoot concert.

My vision/perception of Gordon Lightfoot is and always be that of earlier years, those with which I grew up with. Those that will keep me a fan forever.

However, going into the concert, I expected the worst, with the years that I'd seen and obviously had he. And to be perfectly honest, I was somewhat disappointed, on the onset. Obviously, as stated, Gordon was not on his game (so to speak).

But, something has not been related, with respect to this concert. I haven't heard anything about the performance of Terry Clements. From my perspective, he carried the concert. Yet, his recognition from Gordon gernerated only a sheepish grin. He played with his mind into the music and, seemingly, cared for no attention.

I was mesmerized by Terry's performance. Perhaps that was due to no previous (Lightfoot) concert exposure (on my part), but I've never seen anything like it.

I just want to give applause where it is due.