[nhaste]

It definitely does seem that Gord is playing a lot less guitar this tour... from the 3 shows I saw here is a list of songs that he previously has played guitar on but did not this time around:

Twist My Arm
Summer
Heaven
Use It Up
Chagrin Falls
Escape
We'll Go Too
Springtime

Nick

[screw_ball]

[Detrious]

But what do people prefer, Gord with or without?

I personally prefer without, although I am not sure why...

D

[googolplex]

You know it's cool that he likes to play guitar, but I think there's no question it's a better show when he doesn't, no offense Gord. He's just way more animated and exciting to watch when he doesn't stand still playing guitar. It also often gets completely lost in the mix and you can't even hear it, so what's the point?

[skippy the wonder dog]

The point is that when he's playing it, he doesn't have to dance around like a lunatic, all the while thinking: "I'm over 40 these days. This is starting to hurt."

[willthenurse]

I prefer him without the guitatr as well, but I think some songs, like bob and wheat it seems more appropriate for an acoustic guitar to be added in, and he moves around a lot less during those songs anyway...

~WIll.

[Rye]

He played guitar on Twist My Arm? I didn't know that. Mind you I haven't seen that song live since ARA '97 I think.

I have no problem with Gord playing guitar on an album or live. The problem that I have is that his guitar, especially live, is so low in the mix that you can't hear it...so what's the point of playing it then?

[Fleeter]

He seems to sing better or sound better singing when he's got the guitar on because he doesn't smother the microphone with his hand (a soundman's nightmare) but as Rye stated - if it's so low in the mix why bother - I wonder how much of it he hears in his monitor......

[Chris Tanz]

this is hypnotizing me.

ct

[direwolf74]

I think his guitar playing is perfect for tunes like Bobcaygeon, Ahead by a Century, Escape, etc... But I definitely prefer him without it for the up-tempo stuff. It's a much more entertaining show that way.

I don't remember him ever playing guitar on Twist My Arm.

[highlander]

The point is that when he's playing it, he doesn't have to dance around like a lunatic, all the while thinking: "I'm over 40 these days. This is starting to hurt."

He wasn't acting over 40 at the C'town show. Especially during Meridian and Rink..wow he's still got it..in fact he never lost it!

[IMissMyLungBob]

To me it doesnt really matter whether or not he performs with a guitar in his hands because he will always be putting on the same great show we have been drawn to for years. I would like to see Gord switching it up during shows, having some songs with a guitar and some without. However there will always be those priceless songs like "At the Hundredth Meridian" where Gord wont play guitar simply because of either a rant or just to make an exciting up tempo song that much better.

[mcwslc]

He played guitar on Twist my Arm in Los Angeles in Oct 2004 at the Avalon. Its one of my favorite songs of all time and I remember thinking how great it sounded, but I can't say if that was due to his guitar playing. I saw them at the HOB on Monday and I honestly can't remember whether he played it or not.

Another song that was not listed in the original post on this subject is Lionized. He played it on the Phantom Power tour in San Diego and Tucson, and it sounded amazing. I remember him strumming the opening chords while leaning back right before the drums and bass kick in. However he did not play it at the HOB on Monday and it was just as good, maybe even better. He was much more animated w/o the guitar and musically the version was sick, might have been my favorite song of the night.

[cochise]

Maybe I am having a brain fat, but has Gord ever played electric on stage before, or on record??

I can't think of an occasion where he has?? (but I am sure I am probably just forgetting)

[IMissMyLungBob]

I cant think of a time where Gord has had an electric in his hand. Its always an acoustic...(to my recollection)