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99 of 101 found the following review helpful:
 Lightfoot Live - Need I Say More?Nov 13, 2001
By Valerie L. Shainin
"Valerie Magee"
This is Lightfoot's first concert video, and is in fact his first officially released live recording since 1969. Recorded at the Pioneer Theater in Reno, Nevada on April 19, 2000, the video captures the warmth and intimacy of a Lightfoot concert, brought into your home for the first time.The DVD contains 22 songs, almost the entire concert. Lightfoot performs all of his hits - songs that charted in the top 40 for him - as well as songs he wrote that were hits for others. And he includes some of his other great songs which, though never chart hits, are among the best songs ever written. None of the hits are omitted, so you will hear If You Could Read My Mind, Sundown, Carefree Highway and Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald, among others. The other songs come from throughout his career, dating back to the early/mid 60s with Early Mornin' Rain and For Lovin' Me, to the title song from his latest original album, A Painter Passing Through. Lightfoot is backed up by his band all of whom has been with him for at least 20 years, and the first two for 30 or more. They are: Terry Clements (lead guitar), Rick Haynes (bass), Barry Keane (drums and percussion) and Mike Heffernan (keyboards), and they are among the finest musicians around. The fact that they have recorded and toured with Lightfoot for so many years says volumes about them and about Lightfoot. The full set list is: Don Quixote, I'll Prove My Love, House You Live In, Sundown, Carefree Highway, Restless, Blackberry Wine, For Lovin' Me/Did She Mention My Name (Medley), Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald, Waiting For You, Fading Away, Rainy Day People, Shadows, If You Could Read My Mind, A Painter Passing Through, Make Way For The Lady, Early Mornin' Rain, Baby Step Back, Song For A Winter's Night, Canadian Railroad Trilogy, Old Dan's Records, Cold On The Shoulder. Amazing list of songs, isn't it? (Note: I have not seen this North American release of the concert, but I have seen the UK DVD as well as the original videotape from the production company). by Valerie Magee
97 of 99 found the following review helpful:
Oh Canada, Thanks for the Memories GordonApr 14, 2005
By Brian E. Erland
"Rainbow Sphinx"
I'm in complete agreement with Sam Graham's editorial review above. It was Gordon's "gaunt looks" and "frail voice" that has become so visible in recent years that almost prevented me from watching this DVD. I wanted to remember Lightfoot as he was the first time I saw him in person at the Univ. of Irvine cafeteria in '68. Virtually unknown in California at the time, there was a small but enthusiastic crowd that evening for what was to be his first ever appearance in Orange County and to this day ranks as one of my all-time favorite concert experiences. I was sixteen at the time and since that Irvine concert I have become one of Gordon's staunchest fans with a total of 19 Lightfoot concerts attended and hoping for at least one more before I'm through. You might say Gordon and I have grown old together.
Overcoming my initial fears of watching a fading shadow of what once was, I purchased the DVD and hesitantly watched it one night after my wife and daughter went to bed. I wanted to judge the concert on my own without any input from the family, this was between Gordon and I. Now I can say that I'm happy with my decision. Whatever may have changed through the years, it's still Gordon Lightfoot! Surrounded by some of the same musicians who performed with him long ago in that first concert in '68, I soon forgot about how old and frail he looked and once again became absorbed in the music that has meant so much to me through the years.
Gordon Lightfoot's songs certainly haven't grown old. They still convey all the passion, introspection, regret and wonder of life that they always have. They always will.
25 of 25 found the following review helpful:
 Respect for a LegendDec 27, 2002
By Sonny Mayo
I've seen Gordon Lightfoot in concert, on average, once a year since 1972. I've also met him several times and even received a bit of advice from Lightfoot regarding my own career. I bought this DVD for posterity--out of "respect for a legend." The set is a stellar collection and example of the artist's best songwriting. True, Lightfoot doesn't have the voice he had 30 years ago, but he's still far more expressive than many of his peers. Lightfoot and his band still play with precision and clarity such that few bands would only hope to aspire to during a live concert. Meanwhile, their performance of "Old Dan's Records" is rousing, "Make Way for the Lady" bluesy and inspired, "Early Morning Rain" and "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" completely authentic. Some of Lightfoot's newer songs, like "I'll Prove My Love," "Waiting for You," and "A Painter Passing Through," sound almost exactly like the studio recordings. Some reviewers have commented on how Lightfoot looks "frail" and "gaunt." Well, when he enters this Reno stage to start the show and, later, returns for his encore, Lightfoot has a noticeable spring in his step and appears totally youthful! With complete confidence, he and the band "nail" "Cold On the Shoulder" to end this DVD collection--something all fans should have for "posterity."
20 of 20 found the following review helpful:
Simply The Greatest Song Writer!Mar 09, 2002
By Kim A. Kenny
I've been listening to Gordon Lightfoot's music for over 30 years now. I have all of his music and found that every one had something special to offer. Each one of his songs is an experience in another place or time. When you're listening to "Canadian Railroad Trilogy", you can picture the images in your mind of the men hitting the spikes: "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald", you can almost feel the wind: Or the classic, "If You Could Read My Mind", the hurt in the man's heart when Lightfoot metaphorically sings, ..."you know that ghost is me...and I will never be set free as long as I'm a ghost and you can't see". What Steven Spielberg does for movies, Gordon Lightfoot does to music. It's true that after 30 years, his voice has changed. But that doesn't matter. That's like saying as one grows older and their looks fade, that our love for a person fades as well. Everyone knows grandparents have the most to offer and so does Lightfoot's music. So many artists have just done a record or two and then fade into oblivion. To see Gordon Lightfoot perform on this DVD to a full house brought tears to my eyes. Because he hasn't been in the mainstream for so long, you wonder how many people love his music and this concert proves that a great performer can still pack them in. The song "Restless" sent a chill through me as his group performed that one. It was better than the CD version. Also the audience was professional. Not a yell, cough or premature clap before his songs were finished, proving that they knew his music well to sit and hear every note. I am a station manager of a country radio station and I play his music on the air every day. I put Gordon Lightfoot on the play list daily right between artists like Garth Brooks, Ray Price or Shania Twain. It's too bad many other radio stations have left out some great artists...I don't! We still get requests for Gordon Lightfoot almost every day. All I can say is.. "Thank you Mr. Lightfoot for over 30 years of great music including this concert"...
17 of 17 found the following review helpful:
The Legend Lives On.....Mar 14, 2002
By Trawlerman
Gordon Lightfoot has been a big part of my life for over 30 years. His music remains original, and though seldom contemporary, I always await Lightfoot's next project or visit. The Live in Reno DVD/VHS is a long overdue video representation of what you would expect to hear and see at one of his shows. It would have been nice to have had one of these every 5 years over the course of his incredible career; but this is most likely our one and only chance. As any true Lightfoot fan will attest - there are no smoke and mirrors here, no lights in motion to augment a mediocre talent - just Lightfoot and his awesome band doing what they do best and consistantly year after year. This DVD is not for everybody; especially for the guy in the sixth row that insists on yelling "rock and roll" at the top of his lungs at the quietest moment of the evening - just to share his rude ignorance with the rest of the crowd. While viewing this concert keep this in mind: you will be seeing a true member of international music history who has outlasted thousands of bands and acts over a course of 35 years!
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