(editor’s note – no ex post facto proof for the Good Brothers)
A flawless performance by Gordon Lightfoot
by Maggie Bucholt, Bennington Banner, August 17, 1979
Mellow is the word to describe the Gordon Lightfoot concert at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center Monday night. The Canadian singer-composer wooed the audience with a polished performance, singing in the now-famous distinctive voice that helped send his recordings to the top of the charts.
Renditions of “Sundown,” “Cotton Jenny,” and ” Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” won enthusiastic applause from the audience and a female heckler’s insistent request for “Rainy Day People” paid off.
Alternately switching from six to 12 string guitars, the man who made his mark as a composer before his career as an entertainer got off the ground touched the souls of the audience with “If You Could Read My Mind” and “Beautiful.” Backed by his studio musicians, Lightfoot’s on-stage live performance was understandably consistent with his flawless recordings.
Despite all the professionalism and good music, the performance lacked a main ingredient which in my opinion makes a good concert – enthusiasm. Lightfoot in concert has often been described as an “act without gimmicks” – no fancy light shows or large number of back-up musicians, just pure music. I can go along with his sincere approach to music, but I have a tough time with performers who give you the feeling they don’t want to be there.
Granted, after a few minutes Lightfoot did warm up somewhat and began interacting with the audience to a degree, but the movements were almost forced. Never having seen him in concert, it is difficult to say whether he was having an “off-night” (a syndrome that affects many traveling musicians) or his less-than-enthusiastic mood is a permanent defense mechanism.
Perhaps his seriousness stems from the tough training he received in coffee houses and barrooms where he often played to disinterested patrons during the beginning stages of his career as he struggled for recognition.
Lightfoot’s music caught on before he did. Far from an overnight sensation, Gordon Lightfoot gradually became a successful performer.
While playing in a Toronto tavern 14 years ago, Lightfoot – or should I say his music – was discovered by the singing duo Ian and Sylvia, who quickly selected two of his songs, “Early Morning Rain” and “For Lovin’ Me,” for an album they were making.
Later, the folk group Peter, Paul and Mary recorded the songs, and they went on to become hits. Following the success of his music, Lightfoot’s name started popping up more and more, and his popularity along with the number of concerts increased. A few years later he started recording his own hits.
A prolific songwriter (he has written more than 115 songs, 65 of them hits), Lightfoot now plays the concert circuit to modest-sized crowds that enjoy his unique folk ballads.
Although he rarely smiled Monday night, the audience didn’t seem to mind. Sitting in the amphitheater and on the grass in chilly temperatures, the Lightfoot fans responded eagerly to every note strummed on the guitar as they were whistling and clapping and begging for more.
The Post-Star, August 13, 1979
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