The morning began a bit cloudy, but with some sunshine behind and between clouds. A friend and I set out for a roadtrip to Halifax. We stopped in Truro so I could get some supplies from the only store in the Atlantic area that seems to carry these products. Once in Halifax, we stopped at two stores for our other errands that can only be done in the 'big city' <smile>. We had a rest at the condo and then headed out for supper at a delightful Turkish restaurant. We shared the dolmas appetizer with warm flatbread. The Kafte entree was fantastic and the malbec paired very well with the spiciness of the kebab. Sadly, no baclava available that evening. It was still cooking. We headed out into the drizzle and walked the few blocks to the concert venue. Gordon Lightfoot was resuming his tour after a fall that left a major flesh wound last July.
What a wonderful experience. He so loves what he does. He's writing material for a new album. He stood for 90 minutes, performing song after song. This is the 80 Years Strong Tour. He turned 80 just before it got started and celebrated 81 a week ago. While he had some difficulty with rhinitis, once he cleared passages with a steroid inhaler, he hit some wonderful notes. Many hits were included along with some lesser known songs. It was fantastic to realize that most of the audience was softly singing along with him for the most well known songs. It was a gentle sound, not like that encountered at louder rock concerts when everyone just screams off key <smile>. It made me smile to see that not all audience members had silver hair -- good that those behind the Boomers appreciate the folk sound of this Canadian troubadour.
When back at the condo we had a glass of wine and talked. I was shocked when I realized it was 2:30 AM. Luckily no need to be up and headed back home really early. <smile> The two of us have been able to talk about everything for extended periods of time ever since we met. Good to have friends like that.
Needless to say, choosing songs for the this edition of the blog is challenging -- so many wonderful songs from which to choose. I've chosen two even though I want to do the full set list for you all <smile>. These aren't the bigger hits, but ones that made me smile in their gentleness and poetic lyrics and melody. I so love his vocal phrasing and delivery -- so distinctive. The first song speaks to aspects of moving through life stages. This live version was from over a decade ago. Most band members seen in the video are the same as tonight and have been with him since 1960s (bassist) and into the early 1970s (keyboards and drums) with the lead joining about 2011 when he replaced a lost lead of 40 years. Tonight, he played a single encore. He introduced the song noting it was about a season we are entering. It is beautiful. Enjoy!
A Painter Passing Through -- Gordon Lightfoot
Song for a Winter's Night -- Gordon Lightfoot
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