A man who is Canada’s living and breathing musical treasure stopped by the Seneca Niagara Casino this past Saturday night for a sold out engagement. That person is none other than Gordon Lightfoot. Lightfoot was in a jovial mood as he took the stage, waved to the crowd and said, “rumors about my death have been greatly been exaggerated.” This gave way to a bigger ovation as he opened the show with “Sweet Guinevere.”
In between some songs he offered the stories behind them, as was the case with “A Painter Passing By,” where he stated, “some songs take years to complete and some come to you quick,” claiming this song took 3 hours to finish. Lightfoot later worked the frets of a beautiful 12-string acoustic guitar for “Now and Then.”
Almost 40 years to the day (November 10, 1975) the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald happened and then was immortalized shortly thereafter in a folk song by Lightfoot. The song seemed to have extra meaning due to the anniversary of this tragic event.
He then talked about how many others covered his songs through the years, but when Elvis did “Early Morning Rain,” he was especially proud. The song was written for his son who was one and a half at the time. Now he is 54, which drew many laughs from the crowd and Lightfoot himself.
Lightfoot was front and center and didn’t work from a traditional set list. His band needed to be up to the task of staying on cue. Bassist Rick Haynes, drummer Barry Keane, guitarist Terry Clemens and keyboardist Mike Heffernan were all up to the challenge.
Lightfoot maybe 76, and his voice may not have the same subtleness as it once did, but his fans still adore him and he can still put on a quality show. These are the reasons why you should see him because living and breathing treasures don’t last forever.
Setlist:
Sweet Guinevere
The Watchman’s Gone
Waiting For You
Never Too Close
A Painter Passing Through
All The Lovely Ladies
Spanish Moss
Rainy Day People
Shadows
Let it Ride
Beautiful
Now and Then
The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald
Ribbon of Darkness
Sundown
Carefree Highway
I’d Rather Press On
14K Gold
If You Could Read My Mind
Restless
Baby Step Back
Early Morning Rain
Encore:
Cold on the Shoulder
We would like to thank Phil Pantano of Pantano & Associates for the credentials to review the show.
