[johnfowles]

Of course the original 3 piece line up an the first 5 UA albums was often augmented by an orchestra, but the way that Mike nowadays fills in for the missing stringed instruments etc is quite remarkable especially his jazzy accompaniment on "Old Dan's Records", the strings on "IYCRMM" and the ethereal opening to "Restless". I also very much enjoy watching the facial expressions and ocasional singalongs by Barry
and his timpani effects add colour to many live performances. including last week the use for three concerts of his home made shaker filled with gravel from Asheville SC, for "My Little Love" (on the fourth concert we saw he used a standard issue shaker "because Gord changed his mind"!!)
But yes overall the simpler arrangements in the early days pleases me more as evidenced on the recording of the 1987 Folkfest radio broadcast. (from which the simplified (3 piece) "East Of Midnight" has to be heard to be believed
Of course solo performances are rare,those of us priveleged to hear "I'll Tag along" solo at Tampa will not forget that for a very long time.Perhaps Gord could be persuaded to do the first song after the interval at each concert as a solo.
Starting of course with "Sit Down Young Stranger"