Gordon Lightfoot Forums - View Single Post - Tampa-Char's Not Here????

RJ · 02-25-2008, 08:49 AM

Just a couple quickie words about Thursday night's show at the beautiful Tampa Theater..

It was much fun.. Gord had a few trouble spots vocally which he made light of.. He mentioned (before Trilogy if I recall correctly) that he had to "rewrite some of the song" to find good notes etc.. which in fact he did.. he very creatively put some new melody lines in key places which was really fascinating (and a sign of things to come I do believe (i.e.. since we can't just take the capos off and/or transpose the tunes etc., why not rewrite'em! etc.)).. If Children Had Wings was really a cool addition this year, as was My Little Love which had an interesting arrangement with Barry playing only a shaker throughout (no drum on this one; it was quiet and thoughtful and acoustic).. Clouds of Lonliness knocks me out every time.. Oh, and get this, a solo Tag Along opened the 2nd side, very unexpected, very cool, which, though Gord fumbled the guitar phrasing a bit, was really a nice choice.. With a "We'll do the Dylan song" as introduction, Ring Them Bells was outstanding, and felt very moving to me.. As Gord closed out the 2nd set to disappear before the encore he grabbed both hands around his own throat and went, "AAACCCKKKK!!!" and then smiled warmly, acknowledging his vocal troubles.. everyone laughed and it was great fun.. (please folks, no more "Breaking news everybody! His voice isn't what it used to be!" postings etc.. yes.. we know that.. thank you.. he's acknowledged it, we're moving beyond that now.. and going ever onward.. etc.).. Terry clowned around through the entire show.. in fact, all the guys were more animated than any show I've ever seen.. I sense that perhaps the death of B.H. (and of course Gord's own troubles a few years back etc.) changed the chemistry in as much as the guys might feel a little like they're out there now on "borrowed time" if you will.. with nothin much t'lose, etc.. they were very relaxed and having a good time throughout.. I loved it.. I had a great time.. Hopefully it's onto Massey in May for me.. but after what I experienced in Tampa, I'll make every effort to see them again somewhere.. sometime.. I truly hope..

02-25-2008, 08:49 AM	#11
RJ Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Twin Cities Posts: 194	Tampa Just a couple quickie words about Thursday night's show at the beautiful Tampa Theater.. It was much fun.. Gord had a few trouble spots vocally which he made light of.. He mentioned (before Trilogy if I recall correctly) that he had to "rewrite some of the song" to find good notes etc.. which in fact he did.. he very creatively put some new melody lines in key places which was really fascinating (and a sign of things to come I do believe (i.e.. since we can't just take the capos off and/or transpose the tunes etc., why not rewrite'em! etc.)).. If Children Had Wings was really a cool addition this year, as was My Little Love which had an interesting arrangement with Barry playing only a shaker throughout (no drum on this one; it was quiet and thoughtful and acoustic).. Clouds of Lonliness knocks me out every time.. Oh, and get this, a solo Tag Along opened the 2nd side, very unexpected, very cool, which, though Gord fumbled the guitar phrasing a bit, was really a nice choice.. With a "We'll do the Dylan song" as introduction, Ring Them Bells was outstanding, and felt very moving to me.. As Gord closed out the 2nd set to disappear before the encore he grabbed both hands around his own throat and went, "AAACCCKKKK!!!" and then smiled warmly, acknowledging his vocal troubles.. everyone laughed and it was great fun.. (please folks, no more "Breaking news everybody! His voice isn't what it used to be!" postings etc.. yes.. we know that.. thank you.. he's acknowledged it, we're moving beyond that now.. and going ever onward.. etc.).. Terry clowned around through the entire show.. in fact, all the guys were more animated than any show I've ever seen.. I sense that perhaps the death of B.H. (and of course Gord's own troubles a few years back etc.) changed the chemistry in as much as the guys might feel a little like they're out there now on "borrowed time" if you will.. with nothin much t'lose, etc.. they were very relaxed and having a good time throughout.. I loved it.. I had a great time.. Hopefully it's onto Massey in May for me.. but after what I experienced in Tampa, I'll make every effort to see them again somewhere.. sometime.. I truly hope.. Last edited by RJ; 02-25-2008 at 02:33 PM.