From the CBC radio 2 Hip special last night, Rich Terfry quoted a circa 1988 Rob Baker as saying, when asked in an interview who writes the songs, "Gord Sinclair writes them, I arrange them, and Gord Downie forgets them."
spottrax Wrote:mark Wrote:spottrax Wrote:Folks...the guy had surgery to remove a brain tumor. It is a miracle and an extreme act of courage that Gord is performing at all. The rush and love that Gord feels from the stage must over-power him and surround him with a warmth that is irreplaceable. He has always missed lyrics for various reasons (as does every single singer on the planet). This tour Gord seems to really need to concentrate with the lyrics and timing. My late father had a brain injury and had memory issues. The challenges one faces are huge....and very complicated but....in some cases, other parts of the brain can overcome and fill in the blanks....and make things work. I cannot over-state....what Downie is doing is truly amazing. It is a treat for us fans and I really hope it is equaling as satisfying for him as well......He should be a world wide inspiration to all. Not only is he our beloved lead singer for our favorite band....The man is an inspiration to anyone with a similar ailment.... These shows are leaving me speechless!!! Heading to London in two days!!!! Turn that PA up and ROCK! Who cares about a few flubbed lyrics...
i never said i cared or thought it was an issue. i just asked if this was relatively new? like i said in the original post, i've been out of the "live hip loop" for a number of years now. it's been so long since i've seen them, i don't recall if he had issues with lyrics before.
Mark, I certainly wasn't being confrontational in any way. I probably got a little too serious with my response...sorry. I actually play in several bands and have recently had to revert to lyrics scrolling on a tablet (my version of a prompter)! I think our brains are like hard drives on a computer...after a length of time, they get clogged with so much information, it's hard to get it to run smoothly...I can't remember lyrics for the life of my anymore (older songs are fine...newer ones give me fits!). Springsteen uses a prompter....Vedder doesn't (amazing to me!!!). Getting older is a challenge.....Cheers! :thumb:
I
believe Eddie's using one now. He certainly was in 2013: I was sitting behind the stage in Seattle watching the lyrics to "Yellow Ledbetter" scroll across the teleprompter which, given the song doesn't have actual lyrics, is outstanding in every way.
The 4 shows I've seen on this tour have had their fair share of bungled lyrics. That's not the problem.
I just don't like how self-deprecating Gord has been afterwards. Multiple times he's talked about how "You've put up with a lot of shit tonight, mostly from me".
That breaks my heart.
He's a professional. A perfectionist. and he owes us absolutely nothing, but he still wants to give us everything.
God damn.
Gunn Wrote:The 4 shows I've seen on this tour have had their fair share of bungled lyrics. That's not the problem.
I just don't like how self-deprecating Gord has been afterwards. Multiple times he's talked about how "You've put up with a lot of shit tonight, mostly from me".
That breaks my heart.
He's a professional. A perfectionist. and he owes us absolutely nothing, but he still wants to give us everything.
God damn.
I cringe every time it happens. Not because it happens, but because I know he's beating himself up for it and that's what hurts.
I was wondering how Gord was coping with this issue...now I know, and I was afraid of that, i.e., that the guy who told Ghomeshi he needs "24 to 36 hours" to get over a mistake made while performing would really be flogging himself over the inevitable slips that accompany his condition, especially with these ambitious set-lists.
Look at that clip of "Machine" direwolf74 posted in the "Youtube" thread. It's true that he's relying on the teleprompter. It's also true that he's frigging nailing the song.
Like everyone here, I really, really hope he is NOT filled with self-recrimination every night after the show. If only he knew how much it means to all of us that he's up there kicking ass on this tour. Many other veteran performers have made more mistakes, with far less excuse. He's doing GREAT, not just for a sick man, but great, period.
One particularly interesting thing I noticed in Winnipeg is that although Gord was relying heavily on the teleprompters, he hardly used them at all during "Springtime in Vienna". I remember reading or hearing an interview somewhere where Gord said this is one of his favourite Hip songs, so I guess that might have something to do with it. Rather interesting though, since it's not a song that's played as often as others.
I never quite "got" what he loves so much about "Vienna," but that's another story.
Killer Whale Tank Wrote:I never quite "got" what he loves so much about "Vienna," but that's another story.
It's in my top ten (maybe top 5)
Love this song live.
It's a nice enough song...but like I say, I never really heard what was so surpassingly awesome about it. Still don't.
Tthip Wrote:Killer Whale Tank Wrote:I never quite "got" what he loves so much about "Vienna," but that's another story.
It's in my top ten (maybe top 5)
Love this song live.
same here. it's always been one of my favorites.
Tthip Wrote:Killer Whale Tank Wrote:I never quite "got" what he loves so much about "Vienna," but that's another story.
It's in my top ten (maybe top 5)
Love this song live.
Have always loved the song, especially when Gord would be going crazy with the bells.
Shane
Tthip Wrote:Killer Whale Tank Wrote:I never quite "got" what he loves so much about "Vienna," but that's another story.
It's in my top ten (maybe top 5)
Love this song live.
It's my second favourite. It's hard to explain.
Not necessarily related to lyrics, but related to the teleprompter... We were sitting behind the stage at ACC #1 last night, and noted that the main teleprompter (ie. front & centre) looked to have some photos in front of it. We were too far away to see for sure, but there were definitely some add'l papers/something on the ground in front of the prompter (aside from the setlist).
boot Wrote:Not necessarily related to lyrics, but related to the teleprompter... We were sitting behind the stage at ACC #1 last night, and noted that the main teleprompter (ie. front & centre) looked to have some photos in front of it. We were too far away to see for sure, but there were definitely some add'l papers/something on the ground in front of the prompter (aside from the setlist).
A little rearview seated birdie told me it was family photos.
Srb718 Wrote:The first show Hip show I saw back in 2004 (in Rochester), they played an "extended intro" to Wheat Kings during the encore. Before singing, Gord stated that he had to ask Paul for the first line to the song. I'm sure this happens more often than you think (with other bands too), and I can't think of anyone else who could roll with it better than Gord.
I was at this show. Rochester AUD theatre I think?