Calgary & Edmonton, Alberta PICS

[KHester]

Nikki,

That's another great Lightfoot meeting. It seems like no matter how big of fan we are
before a concert and meeting Gordon. We're so much bigger fans after.
It's always amazing the new stories we hear about Gordon and his fans. Then we think that's what Gordon does he was so nice to me also.

Kevin

[charlene]

1. Cotton Jenney
2. Carefree Highway
3. Sea Of Tranquility
4. 14 Karat Gold
5. Never Too Close
6. Let It Ride
7. A Painter Passing Through
8. Rainy Day People
9. Shadows
10. Minstrel Of the Dawn
11. Beautiful
12. Watchman's Gone
13. Ribbon of Darkness
14. Sundown
15. The Wreck Of the Edmund Fitzgerald

Intermission

16. Triangle
17. Hangdog Hotel Room
18. Restless
19. Clouds of Loneliness
20. Waiting For You
21. If Children Wings
22. Make Way For The Lady
23. If You Could Read My Mind
24. Don Quixote
25. Baby Step Back
26. Canadian Railroad Trilogy

ENCORE

27. Song For A Winter's Night
28. Blackberry Wine

[charlene]

Edmonton, Alberta - Tuesday April 14, 2009 – The Jubilee

Bonnie and I headed out from Calgary in a light snowfall which was totally unexpected! I saw my last view of the Rockies heading north to Edmonton to see Gord one more time before I headed back home.

All of the arrangements had been made to change my flight back to Toronto and all was good at home too! The further north we drove the windier and snowier it got. It was blowing from the west and at times one of the lanes northbound were completely covered and we were unable to drive on it. There were a few cars off the road and in the ditches and one had flipped right over. We arrived about 2 1/2 hours later and at her home in Edmonton we took a nap that was much needed after the previous late night. Gord and the boys flew over us around 11:30 a.m. and avoided the bad weather. Lol

I called and let Mr. Fiedler know that we were in Edmonton and he said he`d make arrangements for us at The Jubilee. We had dinner at Bonnie`s with her mum and dad and son. It was great to see her dad again. He was with Bonnie in Hamilton for the concerts Gord did for the McMaster hospital. We tried to get him to come with us but he had other plans.

We arrived at The Jubilee about 30 minutes prior to showtime to have a look around. What a beautiful hall! The Jack Singer in Calgary was great too and had a suspended wooden acoustic drop ceiling. Both halls looked almost full. Our seats were almost centre and 8 rows from the stage. Very nice Mr.Fiedler!! Thankyou!

As always the show started right at 8 p.m. with the band striding out and The Man right behind them acknowledging the standing ovation with a wave and smile.

I can’t be positive but I would like to believe he was looking for me in the front row..lol

He had on the red velvet jacket, white shirt and black pants. The first thing I noticed was that the volume was twice what it always has been. In several reviews over the years, as well as comments here, it’s been noted that the volume at times was too low to hear his vocals. It seems that part of the problem has been Gords proximity to the mic so he was standing closer and the volume was crystal clear and amazing.

He told the “hare” joke, mentioned the ex old ladies and gave the band an opportunity to kick him in the slats and said they’d never taken him up on it tho. “I can be mean!” he added in a low menacing tone and a glance around! Prior to a “toe-tapper” he exclaimed “at my age they’re all toe-tappers!” At one point he had one leg up on his stool and then said, “if I can lift my leg like that then I”m gonna be alright!”

The night before when he spoke backstage he mentioned he wasn’t doing both CRT and The Wreck during the concerts but alternating each with Early Morning Rain. After Clouds of Loneliness he said “That’s a good song. I like it.”
He also mentioned forgetting his slippers, his favourite slippers in Vancouver. “They were great slippers – the 2nd ex-wife gave them to me!”

In Calgary he sang 28 songs and in Edmonton he sang 27. During the second set he wore another brocade vest and looked great.
The crowd in Edmonton seemed louder and there were more shout-outs of song titles and “I Love You Gordy” than in Calgary. In Calgary as he walked off stage he took an album from someone by the stage who wanted an autograph and after he had done his encore the tour manager brought it back to the person. In Edmonton he signed one thing and shook a few hands as he left the stage. The audience gave an extended ovation after the encore but there were no more songs.

At one point I called out for “I’ll Tag Along” but he didn’t deviate from his setlist.

Bonnie and I went to the Green Room with Mr. Fiedler and along with 8 others waited for Gord and any of the band who came in. Barry came in to speak with a couple who asked specifically for him and Mike sat and talked with me and Bonnie for quite a while. We never saw Terry either night.

Gord finished with everyone else and then came over to us for a quick visit. I asked him about “I’ll Tag Along” (I am relentless) and he said he has to get the orchestration for the band. I suggested that since he wrote it and it was his song that he sing it like he did in Florida – with just his guitar. I try to be helpful..lol

He mentioned his many visits to the exercise club and told me to let everyone know “I’m feeling great, have lots of energy and I’m going to keep plowing on!”

After snapping a few pics, a hug and peck on the cheek for Gord and Mr. Fiedler, we were all out of there and on our way as they headed to their hotel and Bonnie and I drove back to her place.

I am very grateful to Bonnie for her airmiles, her driving, her homes to sleep in and the great company she was during my visit to Alberta. She will be in Toronto for all four Massey shows so we’ll catch up again in a few months. I hope she posts some of her thoughts about the shows as well.

After seeing Gord in Toronto at Hugh’s Room in January I thought that my next concert would not be until the Massey shows and it seemed so far away, especially when hearing of all the folks here getting to so many concerts! This quick trip was originally meant for me to see the Calgary concert only, but fate stepped in and blessed me with a chance to get to a second show..

The stars were aligned and shining on me fer sure eh?
I’ll Tag Along any way I can…
Edmonton setlist
1. Triangle
2. Cotton Jenney
3. 14 Karat Gold
4. Never Too Close
5. In My Fashion
6. A Painter Passing Through
7. Rainy Day People
8. Shadows
9. If Children Had Wings
10. Beautiful
11. Carefree Highway
12. Hangdog Hotel Room
13. Ribbon of Darkness
14. Sundown
15. The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald
INTERMISSION
16. The Watchman's Gone 17. Alberta Bound
18. Restless
19. Clouds Of Loneliness 20. Waiting For You
21. If You Could Read My Mind 22. Don Quixote
23. Minstrel Of The Dawn
24. Baby Step Back
25. Early Morning Rain
26. Song For A Winter's Night
ENCORE
27. Old Dan's Records

[charlene]

pics

[Yuri]

Wonderful photos Char, thanks for sharing them!

[imported_Next_Saturday]

Great report, as always Char.

Thanks for sharing your adventures!! Sounds like it was an experience of a lifetime . Gee...too bad about the weather and we're just getting around to more Spring-like down here.

[RM]

Originally Posted by charlene

At one point I called out for “I’ll Tag Along” but he didn’t deviate from his setlist.

Ma'am,

I think you should forget about ever hearing that song performed in your presence. Lightfoot went out of his way to play it for you when you were a "no-show" in Florida. Now he's using the old 'orchestration' excuse.

You blew it.

[charlene]

Originally Posted by RM

Ma'am,

I think you should forget about ever hearing that song performed in your presence. Lightfoot went out of his way to play it for you when you were a "no-show" in Florida. Now he's using the old 'orchestration' excuse.

You blew it.

Well at least I have the video of the Florida performance...and I know several folks who witnessed it so I guess I'll have to settle for that and a handshake from the stage in Calgary and a warm welcoming hug backstage...
sheesh.
times is tough..

Maybe I'll pick a new song to request...hmm. he already sings Beautiful..and Restless and Make Way For The Lady..and Shadows..I'll have to ponder on this a while longer..
lol

[BILLW]

Nice pics Char - Bonnie & you look great, good to see she's "Still Alive & Well" !

Bill

[johnfowles]

Err Umm
It is possible that I was to blame for Gord doing I'll Tag Along for the unfortuneately absent Char in Tampa in February 2008
I am not sure if I reported this or told Char in May but the evening before In Orlando I did suggest that he should sing it for Char
but probably I confused him or I did not say when. Whatever he obviously assumed that Char would be at the Tampa concert.
It was quite a surprise when he sauntered out to do it solo in Tampa.
Personally I think he should do more solos like this, as it would avoid the worry and time to ensure that the full orchestra had rehearsed it. I think all who have the privilege of talking to him should suggest this,
Just think if he only did one solo of a different song every night for the next 4/5 years or so he could cover his entire song output (beyond the usual 35) and throw in and a few rarities that we would all love to hear him do (including the greater Toronto Telephone Directory!!)
I bag Four Strong Winds on behalf of catmanron. where is that fellow??
his most recent posting was on 4/29/2008
No I lie it was 29\4/2008
29th of April

[charlene]

Gord knew I was going to attend the Tampa and Orlando shows. BUT He didn't know that I had to change those plans at the last minute. I never thought he'd even consider singing it as I requested/begged, even with your prodding!
lol
I told him he could sing it alone like he did in Tampa cuz it was HIS song and he could do what he wanted..
lol
Another song he could sing without the band and that is currently in the setlist is Restless...it's lovely to hear with just voice and guitar.

[lighthead2toe]

Char. This is simply beautiful!

You told 56,000 stories with those photos.

Ron J.

[charlene]

Originally Posted by lighthead2toe

Char. This is simply beautiful!

You told 56,000 stories with those photos.

Ron J.

A picture is worth a thousand words..



That reminds me of Gord saying something backstage about his writing of songs during times of emotional turmoil and I said maybe I should write a poem for the emotional turmoil I've been going through and he can write the music for it!
lol

Maybe I should send him a picture..

[RM]

Originally Posted by charlene

That reminds me of Gord saying something backstage about his writing of songs during times of emotional turmoil and I said maybe I should write a poem for the emotional turmoil I've been going through and he can write the music for it!

Let me guess what his response was : " No CHar, I am NOT going to play I'll Tag Along."

[charlene]

Well I am ever hopeful seeing as he's never said he WON'T play it..!!


But once again he did say my name with the "CH" - he has said it with the soft "ch" for a while now. Bonnie got a kick out of it..

[brink-]

Hey how did you get those pictures??? It says on the tickets No Cameras or recording devices. hmmm another one of those mysteries eh?

[charlene]

at half time in calgary the little camera nazi came along and warned me to stop during the first half.
so i did.
in edmonton i waited till the last song.
i am a good girl.
the camera nazi in calgary came to bonnie and i in front of the stage where we were to meet with Mr. Fiedler after the show. i told her we were waiting for Mr. Lightfoot's promoter and our names were on the backstage list.
she said we had 'a minute and a half' to find someone with that list.
she was about 70 years old and in heels was about 4'11"..
i called over to the stage manager and asked him where the list was and he said he'd seen my name on the list.
so the little lady moved on and left us alone.
i'm a good girl.
no mystery there..

[RM]

Originally Posted by charlene

But once again he did say my name with the "CH" - he has said it with the soft "ch" for a while now. Bonnie got a kick out of it..

I'll be dipped......that's encouraging.

I assure you... I hope you have the opportunity to hear that song in person at a concert. But I fear it's much like I hope I win the lottery....there's a chance, but the odds are slim.

I'll keep my fingers crossed.

[brink-]

Originally Posted by charlene

at half time in calgary the little camera nazi came along and warned me to stop during the first half.
so i did.
in edmonton i waited till the last song.
i am a good girl.
the camera nazi in calgary came to bonnie and i in front of the stage where we were to meet with Mr. Fiedler after the show. i told her we were waiting for Mr. Lightfoot's promoter and our names were on the backstage list.
she said we had 'a minute and a half' to find someone with that list.
she was about 70 years old and in heels was about 4'11"..
i called over to the stage manager and asked him where the list was and he said he'd seen my name on the list.
so the little lady moved on and left us alone.
i'm a good girl.
no mystery there..

the real mystery is why you keep trying to convince us about the "I'm a good girl".

[charlene]

[Oh, Linda]

Very nice review, Char; so glad you had a great time and were able to arrive despite the bad weather.

[formerlylavender]

I'm glad you had such a great time, Char. I'd LOVE to hear I'll Tag Along too! Maybe all the fuss will cause Gord to reconsider??? If we have our way he'll have it down pat for the Keswick in July! It's all about me...

[talbot10]

Glad you had a great time Charzo!
Bill

[jj]

a great time and cool Gordwich shot, guys (but he looks pissed off )

these are some of my fave shots of you with Gord...nice burgundy top

big hi to bjb and her dad ...our bonnie lies over the prairie....