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sunshine · 03-23-2011, 12:40 AM

Just returned from the concert in Melbourne, FL, very full house, lots of Canadians in the audience, 5th time Gordon had played the King Center. It was a pretty confusing night, the loss of Terry very deeply felt by those who knew him; also the loss of the band that we have been so devoted to in recent decades. That said, Carter was excellent. He knows all the songs, seems very confident, is quite an affable fellow, quick to laugh, very agile fingers that play with finesse and clarity. I expected that Gordon would choose a superior player, as he always has in the past, and clearly Carter is that: superior. While the arrangements have been kept pretty much intact, Carter brings a style all his own, plays with visible emotion, he's really into this music. He was very strong on all the pieces that feature him, elicited applause for his solo on Christian Island. He was also outstanding on his solos on Sundown, The Watchman's Gone, Beautiful, Baby Step Back. Carter seems to have a command of the repertoire, although Rick does seem to be providing some mentoring with the transitions between the pieces and with showing Carter support with comments, compliments, head nods, smiles. It appears that the new band is bonding very well, a high level of camaraderie visible, Gordon clearly the fearless leader. No reference to Terry was made. I'm sure it hasn't been easy for them to get to this point. On the one hand, it's sad to see life go on so apparently seamlessly, yet it's beautiful that the band can show such resilience and soldier on to let the music live. Gordon mentioned his new girlfriend and how she bought him a gift for Christmas that made his eyes pop: a shirt that was 3 sizes too small. I don't know if that is one of the new jokes that was mentioned in one of the reviews last week or a new development. Gordon was having trouble with his voice; the people around me were attributing it to allergies, the sound system, the theater, the mike being too far away, his age; they were guessing but they were noticing. Of course, they were also saying that the drummer was new, that there would be no intermission, and that Rick was Red, so maybe I was just seated with a particularly vocal group. On to Orlando tomorrow.

03-23-2011, 12:40 AM	#1
sunshine Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 56	Melbourne, FL Just returned from the concert in Melbourne, FL, very full house, lots of Canadians in the audience, 5th time Gordon had played the King Center. It was a pretty confusing night, the loss of Terry very deeply felt by those who knew him; also the loss of the band that we have been so devoted to in recent decades. That said, Carter was excellent. He knows all the songs, seems very confident, is quite an affable fellow, quick to laugh, very agile fingers that play with finesse and clarity. I expected that Gordon would choose a superior player, as he always has in the past, and clearly Carter is that: superior. While the arrangements have been kept pretty much intact, Carter brings a style all his own, plays with visible emotion, he's really into this music. He was very strong on all the pieces that feature him, elicited applause for his solo on Christian Island. He was also outstanding on his solos on Sundown, The Watchman's Gone, Beautiful, Baby Step Back. Carter seems to have a command of the repertoire, although Rick does seem to be providing some mentoring with the transitions between the pieces and with showing Carter support with comments, compliments, head nods, smiles. It appears that the new band is bonding very well, a high level of camaraderie visible, Gordon clearly the fearless leader. No reference to Terry was made. I'm sure it hasn't been easy for them to get to this point. On the one hand, it's sad to see life go on so apparently seamlessly, yet it's beautiful that the band can show such resilience and soldier on to let the music live. Gordon mentioned his new girlfriend and how she bought him a gift for Christmas that made his eyes pop: a shirt that was 3 sizes too small. I don't know if that is one of the new jokes that was mentioned in one of the reviews last week or a new development. Gordon was having trouble with his voice; the people around me were attributing it to allergies, the sound system, the theater, the mike being too far away, his age; they were guessing but they were noticing. Of course, they were also saying that the drummer was new, that there would be no intermission, and that Rick was Red, so maybe I was just seated with a particularly vocal group. On to Orlando tomorrow.