Carefree Highway, one of the first songs in Gordon Lightfoot’s Kingston K-Rock Centre concert this weekend, talked about picking up pieces of a dream and wondering about how the old folks are. He certainly didn’t have to look too far, if he really wanted to know. The sea of white hairs and shining bald pates (including those of his band) was looking complacent, bored, and maybe quietly hoping for a brief reconnection with their pasts – a past where people called them “beautiful” and said they would “never stray” and the future was still ahead. The cold spotlight of a Sunday night in Kingston was telling everyone something else, however.
Now, Mr. Lightfoot indeed looked pretty good for 72 – somewhere between lanky and frail - carrying his long gray hair well and striding out in cowboy boots with heels (not orthotic runners)! But his raspy voice had definitely seen the “better days” of his Carefree Highway years –and the passion was only there in the lyrics, certainly not resurrected on stage. He didn’t even seem to try.
Okay, maybe he was protecting his voice. Maybe all his health issues over the years meant this was as good as we could expect… and, for someone who had been pronounced dead by gossip earlier in the year, he was certainly damned healthy. Still, “not dead yet” is just not a good enough reason for a concert.
“See him while he’s alive”…might imply a tribute, of sorts, and I wholeheartedly believe it’s important a figure such as Gordon Lightfoot experiences our respect now (rather than watching us from a cloud after he’s gone). Nonetheless, I couldn’t help compare the concert to the one given by Leonard Cohen, who was just a tad older when he played here at K-Rock Centre last year. Even at 3 times the ticket price, that was five times the show.
We all have icons whom we’ll forgive for almost anything. I know there are a lot of others who felt exactly the opposite about the concert: that hearing the lyrics from Lightfoot himself was enough, more than enough, to send them into raptures. That was exactly the same way I felt about the Bob Dylan concert that was publicly reviled by so many a few years ago. And yes, I teared up for Early Morning Rain. And smiled at Rainy Day People. And nodded along with Sundown. And was glad that the K-Rock sound was actually so good this time we could (mostly) understand him quite well.
But mostly, it just made me sad. I’d rather have seen him on TV.
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"... I’d rather have seen him on TV." Why?
ReplyDeleteComplacent and bored? Are you projecting? Last concert of Mr. Lightfoot's I attended, complacent and bored were the last attributes I'd give his audience. Granted, that was at the "Church of Gord" - Massey Hall in Toronto - so maybe we were a livelier bunch. But there were almost as many 20-somethings in the audience as there were Gord's contemporaries.
I dunno, Leonard Cohen does nothing for me, so maybe it's all a matter of taste. Just because Gord isn't doing a Jagger backflip across the stage doesn't mean he is in any way the lesser as an artist. We're bloody grateful to have him.
Careful ARTSNOOP . . . you are treading in dangerous waters!
ReplyDeleteThe Lightheads will attack from all sides - defend their icon - and go back to the forum for a cuddle/bash fest.
Then - their QUEEN BEE will come in for the kill!
. . . but seriously,
Lightfoot is definitely an iconic Artist and has put out quite an impressive body of work, which you credit.
To this day, Gord is able to sit down with just an acoustic guitar and melt your heart with one of many songs.
That said... I do find truth and honesty in your words. I still attend the shows, occasionally wait for the meet and greet - and am always disappointed at the after show pecking order of wannabees and "do you remember me?" bunch; displaying unnecessary family photos and quilts hand made for the king.
On the forum (which I do monitor from time to time), there is a hierarchy - as in most forums - and a definite clique of fans that like to come across as "insiders!"
Gordon most likely will retire in a year or so and he will me missed - but merely pointing out that he is just going through the motions these days is a fair statement.
I do listen to him often, and admire the man.
I would like to add that the small group of guys (with guitars and some songs), that survived through the 60's and 70's owe much to the unsung (behind the scenes) people that played huge parts in their success!
(We) They were a group of very proficient artists and engineers and musicians this world will never see again. I recall a time when Neil Diamond showed up at an L.A. studio with a notebook, some sloppy chord patterns, an attitude that few would tolerate....and 16 hours later left with his next big hit record. This happened time and time again; and still does.
Remember -
"people don't know what they like - they like what they know."
Gord had Lenny W. for 10 albums or so and believe me most of the big radio songs have his blood all over the tracks! He would be working hours and hours into the night on the days sessions while Lightfoot was dining or sleeping....!
Ok - my words may not be important, or well received...but they are true!!
Careful ARTSNOOP . . . you are treading in dangerous waters!
ReplyDeleteThe Lightheads will attack from all sides - defend their icon - and go back to the forum for a cuddle/bash fest.
Then - their QUEEN BEE will come in for the kill!
. . . but seriously,
Lightfoot is definitely an iconic Artist and has put out quite an impressive body of work, which you credit.
To this day, Gord is able to sit down with just an acoustic guitar and melt your heart with one of many songs.
That said... I do find truth and honesty in your words. I still attend the shows, occasionally wait for the meet and greet - and am always disappointed at the after show pecking order of wannabees and "do you remember me?" bunch; displaying unnecessary family photos and quilts hand made for the king.
On the forum (which I do monitor from time to time), there is a hierarchy - as in most forums - and a definite clique of fans that like to come across as "insiders!"
Gordon most likely will retire in a year or so and he will me missed - but merely pointing out that he is just going through the motions these days is a fair statement.
I do listen to him often, and admire the man.
I would like to add that the small group of guys (with guitars and some songs), that survived through the 60's and 70's owe much to the unsung (behind the scenes) people that played huge parts in their success!
(We) They were a group of very proficient artists and engineers and musicians this world will never see again. I recall a time when Neil Diamond showed up at an L.A. studio with a notebook, some sloppy chord patterns, an attitude that few would tolerate....and 16 hours later left with his next big hit record. This happened time and time again; and still does.
Remember -
"people don't know what they like - they like what they know."
Gord had Lenny W. for 10 albums or so and believe me most of the big radio songs have his blood all over the tracks! He would be working hours and hours into the night on the days sessions while Lightfoot was dining or sleeping....!
Ok - my words may not be important, or well received...but they are true!!