Oct. 6th. Macky Auditorium, Boulder, CO...

[seahawk11]

We were a little late in getting out to the show, as we wanted to see if the Twins would win their play-in game or not (they did). Boulder being Boulder, you are punished for driving a car in their city. You are expected to walk, run, bike, parachute-in, or worst case, ride a bus to the venue - but for God’s sake, DON’T drive your car there, as parking is almost nonexistent (we ended up leaving the car in a bike lane at an intersection and were surprised that we weren’t towed, and the car hadn’t been ‘keyed’). Nice up-hill hike to the venue, then another surprise: no cocktail bar! Oh well, Gord and the guys put on a nice show for us.

Is it me, or is Gord getting even thinner? He now appears almost skeletal. And, shades of the Unfortunate Orange Sports Coat Tour, has anyone seen Gord’s new jacket yet? It’s bright and red and velveteen, and made me think that Halloween isn’t too far off. He looked just like a skinny Jack Palance vampire up there, in need of lots of blood….but, to the show:

As usual, Gord’s voice was a little sketchy to start, almost whisper quiet, but warmed up as he went along. Most of the usual suspects were played, including favorites ‘Triangle’, and the lyrically complex ‘Restless’, which he pulled off just fine as fine can be. Speaking of fine, I’ve been watching the setlists for this leg of the tour and noticed that they’ve been playing ‘If Children Had Wings’, so I told my wife they were going to pull a surprise song out of the hat for this show - then they didn’t play ‘Children’ for us! Oops. But, they did play ‘Fine as Fine’, which is rarely performed, and was a nice substitute. ‘Sundown’ came off extremely well: Gord’s microphone is so responsive that Big Blue’s (Rick Haynes) background singing was easily picked up, which fattened the vocals a bit, and made for one of the high points of the night. ‘Song For a Winter’s Night’ was especially nice, too. He didn't attempt CRT at this altitude.

I shouldn’t diss Boulder too much. In their defense, this was one of the most superior audiences I’ve ever encountered at a Lightfoot show: quiet, respectful, knowledgeable – not a hint of clapping at all during that pregnant pause towards the end of Don Quixote! Gord was chatty and funny, talking about his ex-old ladies, kids, and songs. He explained that ‘Hangdog Hotel Room’ was written during a 3-day binge with Jerry Jeff Walker. And, after some confusion, said that Clouds of Loneliness was written for his 8 year old kid.

One encore, ‘Old Dan’s Records’, a final bow, then off to Billings, Montana. All part of the longest tour leg they’ve ever attempted. The guys just keep plugging away.

Best,

Tony

[RM]

Originally Posted by seahawk11

Is it me, or is Gord getting even thinner?

Geez, I hope not.

Glad to hear it was a good show. Thanks for the report.

[charlene]

oh yeah - Gord's been wearing that jacket/waistcoat (and a blue one) for a few years now..
He seemed thinner from when I saw him in April and then again in September..A year ago in Buffalo he told me he weighed 148 pounds...
This is a very long tour - Sept.30 till October 25 with 5 days off..Tires me out just thinking about it.
thanks for the report!

[Jenney]

The set list for Boulder:

Cotton Jenney
Carefree Highway
Sea of Tranquility
14K Gold
Never Too Close
A Painter Passing Through
Let it Ride
Rainy Day People
Shadows
Beautiful
The Watchman's Gone
Ribbon Of Darkness
Sundown
Wreck

Intermission

Triangle
Hangdog Hotel Room
Restless
Minstrel of the Dawn
Clouds of Lonliness (introduced as a song he wrote for his 8 year old daughter, then afterwards he said "wrong song! You sure wouldn't write that one about an 8 yr old)
Waiting for You
IYCRMM
Baby Step Back
Don Quixote
Fine as Fine can be (that's the song I wrote for her!)
Early Morning Rain
Song for a WInters Night

Encore
Old Dan's Records

I started off in the last row as this was a last minute decision, then went up and sat in the second row with Deb after the intermission. It was great to see Andy again, one of my first internet friends. He barely squeaked in there before the concert began!
It was a good show, and even though Gord is having some sinus problems, the altitude didn't seem to bother him much. This was show #92 for me, can't wait till Massey!

[Andy T.]

How can you keep track of how many shows now? lol I'm only around 20 and I'm not totally sure on that.

Yeah, it was great to see you (Jenney) again too! (Has it been since I visited you on my huge road trip several years ago?) I totally forgot I had my camera or I would have gotten a photo or two.

Up in Casper he played If Children Had Wings, and FAFCB, I think I'd heard the latter in concert before, but not Children , I liked the guitar arrangment they had on it.

Also, I expected him not to play Triolgy, after not having the breath to carry some of the harder parts up in Casper 2 nights before. Plus, doesn't he usually trade those off night to night with Early Morning Rain? (which, as Jenney said, he did do)

We ran into some traffic problems, plus we left a bit too late, which is why we got there at the last minute. I had my Dad in his wheelchair, which was good because we got to park right up front. But... my brother got sick and had to cancel, so it was just me and my Dad and no one to help bring my Dad in while I got the tickets from will-call... then they had problems finding my tickets. Then I had to go back out and get my Dad and bring him in, and we only got to our seats as they turned down the house lights. (I also have to wonder, there was only one seat by the handicapped spot for my Dad, while there were supposed to be two. In that regard, good thing my brother didn't show because we would have had to figure THAT out too)

-Andy

Enjoyed reading this... and even the 'Unfortunate' colored-jacket . Sounds like it was a nice show!

I mentioned this concert to my old drinking bud from the mid-80's...whom I saw a few weeks ago. She was back East for the 1st time in 5 years since moving out to CO.

So I told her that the concert was in Boulder (wishful thinking to go, because I'm rather broke these days) and perhaps we could go and also do some gold panning if I was able to stay a few days. NO WAY would she go to Boulder and went on about how they're too green and yuppie there. Now I get the picture about what she was alluding to -from the start of your post here lol.

[jj]

great reads, Tony, Andy, Jenney, thanks for the details too

and thanks for clarifying the Clouds of Loneliness intro...he titled it so, 'cause it was written during a thunderstorm, no?

[formerlylavender]

I hope Gord isn't losing weight! I sort of like the velvet jackets - gasp!

Thanks for posting your review.