Not being a veteran, but having seen 13 shows in 4 tours this was definitely
in the top 3.  Phenomenal.
I had the distinct privilege of hanging out with the band for an hour or so
after the show.  I met them at a GR show on the Fully Completely tour but
did not have time to talk.  This time through there were about 25 people and
we just kind of hung out and chatted.  Great group of guys. Unbelievably
down to earth.  Anyway, Gord's quote about the show was "well, if you have
seen a lot of our shows you know they are all different.  This one was
really powerful.  I really enjoyed it"  I think that sums it up nicely,
powerful.
They did a cool thing with So Hard which I have seen performed but not this
way.  They slowed it down a bit and gave it a grungier sound.  Made it down
right angry.  Way cool.
Talked to Gord a bit about the song (which I have been misquoting here
occasionally) that I heard in Chicago, "Lofty Pines Motel".  Gord said it
was a song he had been playing around with recently and thinks he has found
some guitar pieces for it he likes.  So, those of you on later dates may
hear this one in a little more detail.  I can say it was a really cool tune
in the "rough" in Chicago.
As Gord S was signing some stuff for me he said (with no prompting) you know
we almost played Boots or Hearts tonight.  I found this a little eerie since
this was part of a discussion here on the list I was part of earlier in the
week.  Coincidence I suspect.  (Or maybe not.  Hello, if your listening!)
Anyway, I asked him weather he was serious or just screwing around.  He said
he was serious.  One of the things they are doing on these small circuit
shows is messing around with old material.  He reminded me that they played
Eldorado in Minneapolis.  He said they played Boots as part of the
soundcheck and considered putting it into the set list but decided not to.
He asked what else I would like to hear and I listed my 3 (as stated
previously on the list) Boots, 38 and Fiddler. He smiled and said he would
mention it, "and hopefully Gord remember all the lyrics".
Spoke to Bobby about other US dates and whether they were going to go back
to the US after the Canadian tour.  He said no, they were trying to get some
US dates plugged into the Canadian tour.  He mentioned Detroit, Chicago,
some place East (sorry East Coast people I don't remember the city) and they
were looking at Seattle also.  He said there would not be a lot of them
because crossing the border is such a huge pain.

One thing of note about the show.  There were 2 stage based recording mics
through this show.  One on each side of the stage.  I forgot to ask about
them.  But, if anyone knows if the local radio station that sponsored the
show was recording it, please speak up.  This one would be a great one to
have.

Anyway, that is all for now.

Sorry about the length, but I hope the read was worth it.

Paul

Another 19 song set! It was great. The beginning (first 3) and the end
(fire, encores) are in order. The middle is just from memory and not in
order:

planet
twist my arm
something on
poets
bobcaygeon
fully completely
locked in the trunk of a car
fireworks
membership
ahead by a century
gift shop
so hard done by
chagrin falls
new orleans
fire in the hole
1st Encore
700 ft.
vapour trails
100th meridian
2nd Encore
nautical disaster