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Bill · 05-09-2009, 09:08 AM

OK, kinda blearly here 'cause storms kept the dog barking and baby up all night after we got home...

Roanoke Performing Arts Theater is a great venue for acoustic music...typical stage with orchestra level and overhanging balcony. We were in row K off Gor'd right (where he seemd to focus his gaze all night). Crowd was mostly older, house 3/5 full.

Rough start after the band took the stage...Triangle was rough on his voice and he only got out wispers on some notes. He seemed to have nasal issues, which is pretty common for everyone this time of year around here (Springsteen had same Tuesday night). I felt bad for him with this rough start...and he didn't fare much better on Cottony Jenny. The high notes were going to be tough tonight, and you could see him taking obvious advantage of physical techniques to try and make it work out (chin drawn in/teeth in). I'm a thiryty+ year fan, so like all of us I cut him great slack, but I felt a little sad.

Then into 14K Gold (and I'll probably miss some tunes/set order since I wasn't taking nnotes). The band -- as usual -- was tremendous, and the sound balance was the best I've ever heard at any Lightfoot concert. Things were picking up. Next "Never Too CLose" off Summertime Dream, a particular favorite of mine, and his high range was improving. Then "In My Fashion" which I never liked on record, but finally "got it" at a Wolftrap show and have enjoyed since. Beautiful was slid in there somewhere, but perhaps not here -- wonderful rich rendition!

His coupling of songs mentioned in other posts was a very nice crafting of the pace and emotion of the show. Next was my show highlight: Mintrel of the Dawn flowing into Painter Passing Through. He has never been better than in that vulnerable moment pairing those tunes! There was a gravitas to his groansed emotional notes, coupled with the exquisite jangle of the guitars -- he laid himself bare in these moments and I've never seen him connecting with an audience better.

Next was an extended version of the Jerry Jeff Walker story inspiring Hangdog Hotel Room. He also mentioned hanging out with Kris Kristofferson, and how once at the Troubador Kris was asleep in the car and had to be awakend to go on stage (too much partying). After all these years Gord has finally realized (or seems to have) that the audience is there not just for the music, but to connect...he talked more than any show I've ever seen him in. He said for the Southeast US they added Spanish Moss, which flowed into Shadows -- another inspired coupling of emotional messges by flowing one song into the next. In these iPod days, playlists really matter!

Ribbon of Darkness flowed into Sundown (just as described in other posts). Finished the set with The Watchman's Gone.

Chatted with a work colleague during intermission who I hadn't known was a fan, but showed up.

Second set review is sketchier -- I jotted notes on Blackberry at intermission, but didn't get to do so for second half. He started by saying (with Rick as the fact checker) that it had been 32 years since they were last in Roanoke.

Started ith The Wreck with was proceeded by an extended version of his wrap on this, then he begins...but a few lines in he pauses and clarifies about the Indian tribes around that part of the Great Lakes! The crowd cracked up! Then launched back in for a very great rendition of the song. Several of these power tunes were played with more tender approach, perhaps in deference to his physicality these days, but it worked magic.

Next a request for some guy in the audience for Christian Island. Nice.

Alberta Bound came in second set, as did Don Quixote, If You Could Read My Mind, and Clouds of Lonliness (he said it reminded him of old girlfriend Kathy Smith). He had an extended story about first wife taking kids to France, and his riding on the Concord, and being so lonely for them that he wrote If Children Had WIngs (very touching cover with melody embelishments on this one).

He started to, got distracted, but never introduced the band. I think he did Shadows (sorry -- not sure).

Told about touring -- the band flies city to city on an Astra SPX 5 seater plane (Bill's personal not: OK small planes and singer/songwriters make me nervous). Mentioned the 18 wheeler driver Bill Taylor, the tour bus. Said the plane was a rental that doesn't eat much gas....and was the only way they can do what they do...fly out at noon everyday to the next town. Later in the show he told the Elvis meeting story, and got off on Elvis' plane...then said something about don't get him started on his canoe trips or that would it for the night.
Early Morning Rain was strong. Then encore of Song for a Winter's night, and Old Dan's Records...with a final return for just a bow (and he waved off autograpgh seekrs politely).
My cheap camera couldn't get a still image. I did manage low qulity video of 1st encore and part of Old Dan's Records...not sure how to get them here.
Fiteed red waist coat and black jeans/black boots with blue shirt...second half same except change to black hawaiian shirt with tan floral design. Suspenders...noticed wierd V-shaped expansion on sides of pants...perhaps can't fasten belts tight around?

Band was in great shape, the acoustic mix was exquisite, rough start voacally, great audience connection, inspired flow of songs, and voacals inproved. A most enjoyable concert even though I'd seen him in years past stronger...he let down the wall between him and the audience and made himself emotionally vulnerable more so than I've ever seen. A very satisfying night.

Walked out to a Tornado watch and drenching rains, so hanging about was not an option.

05-09-2009, 09:08 AM	#1
Bill Senior Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Lynchburg, VA Posts: 544	Roanoke VA Notes OK, kinda blearly here 'cause storms kept the dog barking and baby up all night after we got home... Roanoke Performing Arts Theater is a great venue for acoustic music...typical stage with orchestra level and overhanging balcony. We were in row K off Gor'd right (where he seemd to focus his gaze all night). Crowd was mostly older, house 3/5 full. Rough start after the band took the stage...Triangle was rough on his voice and he only got out wispers on some notes. He seemed to have nasal issues, which is pretty common for everyone this time of year around here (Springsteen had same Tuesday night). I felt bad for him with this rough start...and he didn't fare much better on Cottony Jenny. The high notes were going to be tough tonight, and you could see him taking obvious advantage of physical techniques to try and make it work out (chin drawn in/teeth in). I'm a thiryty+ year fan, so like all of us I cut him great slack, but I felt a little sad. Then into 14K Gold (and I'll probably miss some tunes/set order since I wasn't taking nnotes). The band -- as usual -- was tremendous, and the sound balance was the best I've ever heard at any Lightfoot concert. Things were picking up. Next "Never Too CLose" off Summertime Dream, a particular favorite of mine, and his high range was improving. Then "In My Fashion" which I never liked on record, but finally "got it" at a Wolftrap show and have enjoyed since. Beautiful was slid in there somewhere, but perhaps not here -- wonderful rich rendition! His coupling of songs mentioned in other posts was a very nice crafting of the pace and emotion of the show. Next was my show highlight: Mintrel of the Dawn flowing into Painter Passing Through. He has never been better than in that vulnerable moment pairing those tunes! There was a gravitas to his groansed emotional notes, coupled with the exquisite jangle of the guitars -- he laid himself bare in these moments and I've never seen him connecting with an audience better. Next was an extended version of the Jerry Jeff Walker story inspiring Hangdog Hotel Room. He also mentioned hanging out with Kris Kristofferson, and how once at the Troubador Kris was asleep in the car and had to be awakend to go on stage (too much partying). After all these years Gord has finally realized (or seems to have) that the audience is there not just for the music, but to connect...he talked more than any show I've ever seen him in. He said for the Southeast US they added Spanish Moss, which flowed into Shadows -- another inspired coupling of emotional messges by flowing one song into the next. In these iPod days, playlists really matter! Ribbon of Darkness flowed into Sundown (just as described in other posts). Finished the set with The Watchman's Gone. Chatted with a work colleague during intermission who I hadn't known was a fan, but showed up. Second set review is sketchier -- I jotted notes on Blackberry at intermission, but didn't get to do so for second half. He started by saying (with Rick as the fact checker) that it had been 32 years since they were last in Roanoke. Started ith The Wreck with was proceeded by an extended version of his wrap on this, then he begins...but a few lines in he pauses and clarifies about the Indian tribes around that part of the Great Lakes! The crowd cracked up! Then launched back in for a very great rendition of the song. Several of these power tunes were played with more tender approach, perhaps in deference to his physicality these days, but it worked magic. Next a request for some guy in the audience for Christian Island. Nice. Alberta Bound came in second set, as did Don Quixote, If You Could Read My Mind, and Clouds of Lonliness (he said it reminded him of old girlfriend Kathy Smith). He had an extended story about first wife taking kids to France, and his riding on the Concord, and being so lonely for them that he wrote If Children Had WIngs (very touching cover with melody embelishments on this one). He started to, got distracted, but never introduced the band. I think he did Shadows (sorry -- not sure). Told about touring -- the band flies city to city on an Astra SPX 5 seater plane (Bill's personal not: OK small planes and singer/songwriters make me nervous). Mentioned the 18 wheeler driver Bill Taylor, the tour bus. Said the plane was a rental that doesn't eat much gas....and was the only way they can do what they do...fly out at noon everyday to the next town. Later in the show he told the Elvis meeting story, and got off on Elvis' plane...then said something about don't get him started on his canoe trips or that would it for the night. Early Morning Rain was strong. Then encore of Song for a Winter's night, and Old Dan's Records...with a final return for just a bow (and he waved off autograpgh seekrs politely). My cheap camera couldn't get a still image. I did manage low qulity video of 1st encore and part of Old Dan's Records...not sure how to get them here. Fiteed red waist coat and black jeans/black boots with blue shirt...second half same except change to black hawaiian shirt with tan floral design. Suspenders...noticed wierd V-shaped expansion on sides of pants...perhaps can't fasten belts tight around? Band was in great shape, the acoustic mix was exquisite, rough start voacally, great audience connection, inspired flow of songs, and voacals inproved. A most enjoyable concert even though I'd seen him in years past stronger...he let down the wall between him and the audience and made himself emotionally vulnerable more so than I've ever seen. A very satisfying night. Walked out to a Tornado watch and drenching rains, so hanging about was not an option.