Phoenix 8/6

Hello all. My wife and I came down to Phoenix to see Gord, since there was no Denver date this season. : (

Sorry, but I didn't do a set list, due to the fact that anyone carrying anything is apparently a terrorist threat in the Dodge Center. I had a clipboard with paper, a photo for signing, and was told that it, in addition to my "contraband camera" (their words) would not be allowed in.

It was very similar to the Anaheim set list, but the opener was Triangle. Another nice touch was the closing to Ribbon of Darkness. Gord gave the long pause after "...this ribbon of darkness ---"
and instead of "over me," the band went straight into Sundown. It was kinda cool and got a great rouse from the crowd.

Left out from the Anaheim set were Restless, In My Fashion, Sea of Tranquility, Song for a Winter's Night. We got All the Lovely Ladies, Never Too Close, I'll Do Anything, Waiting For You, Uncle Toad Said (especially good performance).

Carefree Highway was well received by the local crowd, with a healthy laugh going up around the room when Gord gave a wry look and sang, "I wonder how the old folks are tonight."

Gord was vocally lower a step in the first set, but went up significantly after the break. Mike was trying a few different things on the keyboards that I'd never heard before. He looked over to Rick each time and always got an enthusiastic nod or a big smile. Wish I had the knowledge to tell you what I mean here. Terry and Rick played their customary winning performances with all the licks we've come to know and love. Barry was effective in his usual way, although hobbled somewhat by the building. More on that later.

Gord made a comment about how rotation works, and said the band has a lot of songs they like to do. "The ones I don't like to do, well I don't do them anymore." (I bet a lot of artists wish they had the luxury of that kind of body of work!)

The one encore was CRT. The band came back out, and Gord said. "I guess the show wouldn't be complete without the railroad song. Problem is it's too damn long." The crowd responded in numerous ways that he was mistaken on this account.

All in all, a very good performance.

All my downers are from the building, not the act. I have to go on a rant about the Dodge Center. I understand that's its a brand new building, and there are growing pains. But security was overzealous about a few things. Despite my clipboard, I am no terrorist. There was a very young kid playing a (silent) video game near us. When someone complained about the glow, the kid and his (parents?) were escorted out instead of just being told to turn off the game. They made it seem like it was half-past closing time when the show ended, giving everyone but pass holders the bum's rush. I told one person that I wanted to wait by the stage to get an autograph, and was immediately told that if I didn't leave now, I would be arrested.

In the side sections, there was a noticable echo from Barry's snare drum. It was like "Bang ... dit-dit-dit" and was kind of distracting, and never got solved.

This building is about 200 feet high and 400 feet back. It's like sitting in an airplane hangar, and feels about as intimate. This is not a good venue for the kind of crowd GL draws. Audience reaction is muffled and must seem like the most uncaring audience to the band.

Maybe I'm just spoiled by the laid back attitude of Denver's Paramount Theater staff and the great acoustics. But I wouldn't see Gord at Dodge Center again, even if free Orchestra Pit tickets were given to me.

Hello all. My wife and I came down to Phoenix to see Gord, since there was no Denver date this season. : (

Sorry, but I didn't do a set list, due to the fact that anyone carrying anything is apparently a terrorist threat in the Dodge Center. I had a clipboard with paper, a photo for signing, and was told that it, in addition to my "contraband camera" (their words) would not be allowed in.

It was very similar to the Anaheim set list, but the opener was Triangle. Another nice touch was the closing to Ribbon of Darkness. Gord gave the long pause after "...this ribbon of darkness ---"
and instead of "over me," the band went straight into Sundown. It was kinda cool and got a great rouse from the crowd.

Left out from the Anaheim set were Restless, In My Fashion, Sea of Tranquility, Song for a Winter's Night. We got All the Lovely Ladies, Never Too Close, I'll Do Anything, Waiting For You, Uncle Toad Said (especially good performance).

Carefree Highway was well received by the local crowd, with a healthy laugh going up around the room when Gord gave a wry look and sang, "I wonder how the old folks are tonight."

Gord was vocally lower a step in the first set, but went up significantly after the break. Mike was trying a few different things on the keyboards that I'd never heard before. He looked over to Rick each time and always got an enthusiastic nod or a big smile. Wish I had the knowledge to tell you what I mean here. Terry and Rick played their customary winning performances with all the licks we've come to know and love. Barry was effective in his usual way, although hobbled somewhat by the building. More on that later.

Gord made a comment about how rotation works, and said the band has a lot of songs they like to do. "The ones I don't like to do, well I don't do them anymore." (I bet a lot of artists wish they had the luxury of that kind of body of work!)

The one encore was CRT. The band came back out, and Gord said. "I guess the show wouldn't be complete without the railroad song. Problem is it's too damn long." The crowd responded in numerous ways that he was mistaken on this account.

All in all, a very good performance.

All my downers are from the building, not the act. I have to go on a rant about the Dodge Center. I understand that's its a brand new building, and there are growing pains. But security was overzealous about a few things. Despite my clipboard, I am no terrorist. There was a very young kid playing a (silent) video game near us. When someone complained about the glow, the kid and his (parents?) were escorted out instead of just being told to turn off the game. They made it seem like it was half-past closing time when the show ended, giving everyone but pass holders the bum's rush. I told one person that I wanted to wait by the stage to get an autograph, and was immediately told that if I didn't leave now, I would be arrested.

In the side sections, there was a noticable echo from Barry's snare drum. It was like "Bang ... dit-dit-dit" and was kind of distracting, and never got solved.

This building is about 200 feet high and 400 feet back. It's like sitting in an airplane hangar, and feels about as intimate. This is not a good venue for the kind of crowd GL draws. Audience reaction is muffled and must seem like the most uncaring audience to the band.

Maybe I'm just spoiled by the laid back attitude of Denver's Paramount Theater staff and the great acoustics. But I wouldn't see Gord at Dodge Center again, even if free Orchestra Pit tickets were given to me.

[Rebecca]

Adam,
Great review! Thanks.
Rebecca

[Wes Steele]

Great Review...

But....

Video Game in a Gordon Lightfoot concert???....They should have been thrown out... They Ain't Raisn' that boy Right!!! LOL

[mytoyota@earthlink.net]

Excellant review!
That venue sounds horrid in all ways.

Gord and the boys probably didn't like it either. I wonder what, if anything, he thought, coming out of the theater and no fans?

Glad the show was good.

Kim

------------------
paperback dreams . . .

[Bill Allen]

Thanks Adam! Great review, with some excellent and very thoughtful insights. My appetite is REALLY whetted for next week now!

Thanks again!
Derek

[telekidd]

Thanks Adam! Great review, with some excellent and very thoughtful insights. My appetite is REALLY whetted for next week now!

Thanks again!
Derek

[Borderstone]

I just read this one and this of course is the concert I went to last year and described on a different thread.

The only thing I can say is,including myself there were 30+ people waiting for Gord & crew after the show. We all waited until almost 10:30pm 'til they appeared. It was a Tuesday night and everyone was as calm as that day usually is.

They came out,talked to and signed things for everyone. (Except one member who said he doesn't do that.) I thankfully had no problems with security and I showed up nearly 3 hours before the show. If I had known how congenial Gord is about his fans I would have brought my record collection. Then again,I think actually meeting,talking to and shaking hands with him was even better than the autographs.

Even during the show he played a song he said he had wrote for Michael Douglas's first movie and I shouted out,"Hail Hero" and he said back,"You got it Man!" It's one of those things that have a very slim chance of happening again. For THE last time,I'll never forget that night!

Borderstone,outta here,not talking about the show anymore,and Alberta Bound! [IMG]

[ September 17, 2006, 16:53: Message edited by: Borderstone ]

I saw that same concert in the Dodge Center.
I thought it was wonderful. GL was great, the crowd was great and the building was great.
truely a memorable night.

Bob L.

I saw that same concert in the Dodge Center.
I thought it was wonderful. GL was great, the crowd was great and the building was great.
truely a memorable night.

Bob L.

[Borderstone]

You'll obviously get no disagreement from me BobJ. It was also great to finally go to a concert where the decible level wasn't comparable to a house 1 mile from an airport! Just a nice relaxing evenig of good music andwords you can understand.

After that night,GL stands as the most famous musical artist I've ever met. I also met The Little River Band (1995 lineup) and Alice Cooper. Been me,Aurevoir and long live 8/6/2002!

------------------
Borderstone,gonna post some lines tonight!:D

[Borderstone]

I am only bringing this topic up for 2 reasons.

One:Gord is going to be here in January and I "am" going to do a set list & keep it.

Two:If anyone,"anyone"!,has the set list for 8/6/2002,could you post it? I'm still kickin' myself for not thinking of doing it in the first place! I'd be most appreciative.

The lightfoot.ca site doesn't have that list,unfortunately.

[johnfowles]

Originally posted by Borderstone:

Two:If anyone,"anyone"!,has the set list for 8/6/2002,could you post it?
The lightfoot.ca site doesn't have that list,unfortunately.

Nothing on the newsgroup either Walter but young Mr Kirk posted the San Diego setlist fron two nights before at:-
http://groups.google.com/group/alt.m...4166e4f?hl=en&
Now even though as we all know Gord never does the same show twice and makes up the setlist "on the fly" as it were (even the band have no idea what the next song will be until Gord starts a'strumming}
The list that Doug posted will at least give an idea of what songs were in the then current "rotation".
Perhaps that list will stir your addled memory B .
I did note two unusual inclusions on the 4th
20. Ode To Big Blue
22. Ring Neck Loon

[ October 01, 2006, 17:51: Message edited by: johnfowles ]

[johnfowles]

Originally posted by Borderstone:

Two:If anyone,"anyone"!,has the set list for 8/6/2002,could you post it?
The lightfoot.ca site doesn't have that list,unfortunately.

Nothing on the newsgroup either Walter but young Mr Kirk posted the San Diego setlist fron two nights before at:-
http://groups.google.com/group/alt.m...4166e4f?hl=en&
Now even though as we all know Gord never does the same show twice and makes up the setlist "on the fly" as it were (even the band have no idea what the next song will be until Gord starts a'strumming}
The list that Doug posted will at least give an idea of what songs were in the then current "rotation".
Perhaps that list will stir your addled memory B .
I did note two unusual inclusions on the 4th
20. Ode To Big Blue
22. Ring Neck Loon

[ October 01, 2006, 17:51: Message edited by: johnfowles ]

[Borderstone]

I guess since there's no 8/6/02 list to be had,I'll just accept the San Diego list as being the same. Thanks John.

it's a funny thing,I can recall my life all the way back to age 3 but when it comes to concerts,once their over,I recall very little. Weird!