TORONTO – Gordon Lightfoot’s legacy was once ringing throughout the rafters at Massey Corridor as outdated buddies, shut circle of relatives and a technology of younger skill united to pay tribute to the Canadian troubadour.
The sold-out Thursday live performance carried an additional particular marvel as Rush’s Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson made an extraordinary musical look in combination. They joined Blue Rodeo to accomplish the Lightfoot unique “The Means I Really feel.”
It was once one of the emotional turns right through Celebrating Gordon Lightfoot, a star-studded evening made out of crucial songs, deep cuts and a handful of recollections concerning the guy whose demise ultimate 12 months rattled tune enthusiasts.
“Gord was once a public hero and we had to do one thing that may convey him to the general public… and possibly convey folks some closure,” defined Rick Haynes, the bassist of Lightfoot’s band for greater than 55 years, sooner than the display.
“This night could be very significant on relatively a couple of ranges.”
Lots of the evening’s musicians handpicked the songs they carried out. It gave them a chance so as to add their very own views to Lightfoot’s songbook that balanced honouring his lyrical affect and solidifying it as a masterwork for long run artists to practice.
Lee and Lifeson selected essentially the most humble approaches, staying off the evening’s invoice and being provide for little greater than a hi and a track. They have performed in combination in public only a few occasions since Rush’s ultimate excursion in 2015, rejoining as soon as for a tribute live performance to drummer Taylor Hawkins in 2022.
After the display, Lee defined why this evening was once an outstanding circumstance.
“Gordon Lightfoot was once to musicians of my technology a real Canadian musical hero — and as well he was once a actually candy particular person,” the prog-rock singer wrote to The Canadian Press by the use of textual content.
“Each Alex and I actually sought after to pay tribute.”
Folks singer Meredith Moon introduced one of the most night’s maximum non-public performances. As Lightfoot’s youngest daughter, she shared recollections of her father right through her three-song set, which started with the lesser-known “Oh So Candy.”
“That is the track my dad used to music his guitars to,” Moon instructed the group sooner than atmosphere into it.
She adopted with “Gradual Shifting Teach” from her 2023 album, pronouncing of her dad, “If he is right here, which I feel he most probably is, he wish to listen it this night.”
Moon completed together with her father’s undying “If You May just Learn My Thoughts,” as Serena Ryder joined her mid-song for a passionate duet with the 2 buying and selling verses. Their rendition earned a status ovation from many within the room.
Tom Cochrane gained an similarly enthusiastic reception to his tackle Lightfoot’s lyrically complicated “The Ruin of the Edmund Fitzgerald,” which he nailed.
Dallas Inexperienced of Town and Color arrived wearing a denim go well with and white blouse to steer the group in a clap-along model of “Sunset.”
Different performers integrated Sylvia Tyson of Sixties people duo Ian & Sylvia, who landed a U.S. hit with the Lightfoot-penned “Early Morning Rain” lengthy sooner than its songwriter was once well known.
Tyson selected to not sing that one, alternatively, going with “On the Finish of the Day,” the identify observe off her 2023 album which displays on recollections of the previous and lives well-lived.
The night tribute was once break up between two space bands, beginning with Haynes’ Lightfoot Band, which recorded and toured with the Orillia, Ont. local for many years. He stated they plan to hold Lightfoot’s legacy on for years yet to come below new lead singer Andy Mauck.
Blue Rodeo served as the home band for the second one part of the evening. They introduced an help to Julian Taylor on “All I am After,” Kathleen Edwards appearing “Carefree Freeway” and Allison Russell’s tackle “Black Day in July.”
Band member Jim Cuddy stated it was once “a pleasure to deep dive” into Lightfoot’s meticulous songs as he ready for the tribute.
“They’re so exactly built, they keep on your thoughts,” he stated.
Cuddy lamented the lack of the musician who lit the trail for Canadian musicians who adopted, together with Blue Rodeo. He credited the “king” for uplifting different native acts to hunt luck in their very own nation main.
“We don’t have anyone main the way in which anymore,” he added.
“No person will take his position, however it was once a excellent reign.”
This file by means of The Canadian Press was once first revealed Would possibly 23, 2024.
