Review text that couldn't be accessed earlier: He's rec'd bad reviews before - some deserved..some not so much..I always like to read all reviews to see how others, professionals included, see things and report on them... makes no matter to me what they report in the big scheme of things..
.. Concert review: Gordon Lightfoot a letdown
By Susan L. Pena
People attend concerts for many reasons: Some to hear something familiar; some to hear something new; some to hear a beloved performer, even if he is past his prime.
The mellow but enthusiastic audience who came to see legendary Canadian singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot on Friday night in the Santander Performing Arts Center obviously came for the last reason.
When Lightfoot, 76, stepped out on the dramatically draped stage to join his four-piece band, there were cheers from his fans, who remember him at his height, when his pleasing baritone could put across one of his folk-style songs with his poetic, often haunting lyrics.
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And perhaps that was what they were hearing when they sang along with songs like "Carefree Highway" and "Sundown."
But for this reviewer, who never had the pleasure of seeing Lightfoot perform live before, what happened on the stage was, sadly, a disappointment and a mere shadow of what I used to hear on the radio.
Looking gaunt and frail, playing passable guitar, Lightfoot whispered his songs in a ruined voice that barely rose above the instrumentalists, even though they were playing fairly softly. The real tragedy was that the lyrics - the legacy he will leave, his true art - were inaudible for the most part.
One of the most difficult problems for performers who are passionate about performing is knowing when to stop. And as long as loyal fans continue to support him and send him their palpable love, Lightfoot doubtless will continue until he can no longer stand.
In spite of the problems, the band played well; the ever-changing lighting, in rich colors and reminiscent in design of lava lamps, was pretty to watch; and the songs will always be wonderful.
He began with a song I couldn't identify, and then went on to mostly his familiar repertoire: "Waiting for You," "Drifters," "Once Upon a Time," "Rainy Day People," "Shadows," "Beautiful," "Let It Ride," "Much to My Surprise," and "Did She Mention My Name" showed up in the first half of the program.
His songs have a hypnotic quality, with their simple melodies and ability to conjure scenes and stories - they are in true folksong style. It's why he's Bob Dylan's favorite songwriter.
During the second half, Lightfoot paid tribute to veterans with the rueful "Drink Yer Glasses Empty." He sang "Sweet Guinevere," "Never Too Close," "14 Carat Gold" and "Rather Press On."
He sang the haunting "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald," perhaps his best-known song, a true ballad based on the sinking of the bulk carrier the SS Edmund Fitzgerald on Lake Superior on Nov. 10, 1975.
Because of an early deadline, I had to leave before the concert was over.
I would have enjoyed it much more if Lightfoot had simply read his lyrics over the band playing the tunes, with plenty of amplification.
Contact Susan L. Pena:
life@readingeagle.com.
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