http://www.powerlineblog.com/archive.../09/018550.php
September 24, 2007
A painter passing through Minneapolis
When it was announced this past June that Gordon Lightfoot would be performing in Minneapolis at one of my favorite venues on September 22, I ran over to the theater box office and bought first row tickets before I realized I was otherwise committed that evening. I looked to give the tickets to someone who might enjoy the show as much as I would have and found Peter Zeller of the Center of the American Experiment. Peter saw the show this past Saturday and has graciously filed this comprehensive report:
The old ballad master Gordon Lightfoot continues to tour and sell out his gigs, satisfying a full house of 2,000 Saturday night at the State Theatre in downtown Minneapolis. The Canadian folk singer, now 68, recovered from a near-fatal abdominal hemorrhage that left him in a two month long coma five years ago. Age and time have made his emotion-laden lyrics that much more moving and he enjoys a tight bond with his fans.
Lightfoot originally gained recognition as a songwriter in the mid-1960s and his songs have been recorded by greats such as Peter, Paul and Mary, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, and Elvis. Later his unique songwriting and singing style established his trademark folk sound, and some now consider him one of the greatest singer/songwriters ever. He’s been nominated for five Grammies and sold over 10 million albums. His hits include “If You Could Read My Mind” (#5 in 1970), “Sundown” (#1 in 1974), “Carefree Highway” (#10 in 1974), and “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” (#2 in 1976).
Saturday night’s performance featured these hits as well as other crowd pleasers including “Beautiful,” "Canadian Railroad Trilogy,” “Cotton Jenny,” “Don Quixote,” “In My Fashion,” and “Rainy Day People.” Lightfoot has remarked that he enjoys being free to concentrate on his shows, and not being under the constant pressure to produce that comes with being signed to a record contract. His loyal band members include lead/rhythm guitarist Terry Clements (since 1969), Rick Haynes on bass (since 1967), drummer Barry Keane (since late/mid-1970s), and “newcomer” Mike Heffernan on keyboards (since 1980).
“The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,” the tale of the tragic November 10, 1975 storm related sinking of an ore carrier on Lake Superior that claimed the lives of all 29 crew members, has always claimed a special place in the hearts of most Minnesotans. The producers of “The Simpsons” had wanted to use the song in the “Radio Bart” episode but it never happened after Lightfoot insisted that they get okays from the families of all 29 crew members who had died. Following the 1984 election, the musical political satire group The Capitol Steps recorded a parody titled, “The Wreck of the Walter Fritz Mondale.” Also, one-of-a-kind Minnesota radio personality Tommy Mischke made the national media when he interviewed an expert on the tragedy by singing all his questions to the tune of the song. The unforewarned expert, however, answered each question in an academic manner.
Uncovered emotion, often personal, comes through so clear in the songs of the man that Bob Dylan has referred to as one of his favorite songwriters. There are the historical ballads and songs of love and love lost, but it’s hard not to notice the themes of heartache and loneliness heard in other songs he performed like “Never Too Close,” “Shadows,” “Clouds of Loneliness,” and “Restless.”
I’m sure, like all of us, he’s mellowed some over the years, but perhaps he has a few more wilder days behind him than the rest of us. He had done a fair amount of drinking (though he’s been sober since the early ‘80s) and a fair amount of messing around. Currently separated from his second wife, he had six children by four women, and his onetime girlfriend Cathy Smith’s claim to infamy is that she’s the one who shot up John Belushi when he died from a drug overdose.
One way he sees himself is as “A Painter Passing Through.” Here’s part of his song by that name:
Now that I am old, let me rest a spell
All that I am told, I can never tell
Never in my life, never will it pass
I am still alone, remembering at last
Once upon a time, once upon a day when
I was in my prime, once along the way.
Front row seats have many benefits, but unfortunately acoustics (in this case) weren't one of them. It was difficult to hear the words to his heart-tingling songs. Even so, I won’t soon forget my close-up view of the old legendary songwriter, in the spotlight at center stage, delivering a heartfelt performance of his life’s work on his well-worn guitar.
Peter's report is a terrific complement to our previous posts on Lightfoot including "Ten degrees and getting colder," "For Lightheads only," and "Reading Lightfoot's mind."
review on blog of Minneapolis show
