Gordon Lightfoot Documentary CBC

Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot Documentary CBC
From: meself
Date: 15 May 20 - 02:59 PM

Ask the man himself. He himself despises the lyrics to ... Lovin' Me, obviously feeling they have no redeeming quality. I'm just agreeing with him.

As for 'Steel Rail Blues' - it's blatantly about a loser through his own weaknesses. 'Alberta Bound' has a couple of silly, politically incorrect lines in it that are clearly there for filler; it's not a song the whole basis of which is a celebration of cruelty to women. Lyrically, it's not much of anything, really, just a string of rhyming cliches. 'Second Cup of Coffee' I don't remember.

Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot Documentary CBC
From: GUEST,Jerry
Date: 15 May 20 - 04:15 AM

So how about ‘Steel Rail Blues’? You could argue that’s from the same mindset, but more blatantly about a loser through his own weaknesses. Even ‘Alberta Bound’ and ‘Second Cup of Coffee’ have a couple of dodgy lines in for today’s sensibilities.

Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot Documentary CBC
From: meself
Date: 14 May 20 - 10:55 AM

I've always tried to convince myself that those lyrics had some redeeming quality - there must some sign of irony or angst in there that I'm too dull to see - but the man himself doesn't seem to want to allow that, and seems to feel nothing but shame concerning the song.

But back to my original point - why they would start off the documentary with several minutes of GL going through torment over that song is beyond me - I've watched the whole thing now, and the song is never mentioned again, nor is shame any kind of theme in it. He does express some regret here and there about this and that, but nothing that justifies that opening.

Some of the talk from the 'personalities' is worthwhile - some anecdotes and gossip from the early days, a few musical insights - but most of it is fluff. The whole thing should have been edited down to about an hour (from an hour-and-a-half).

Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot Documentary CBC
From: GUEST,Jerry
Date: 14 May 20 - 09:55 AM

I’ve not seen this yet, but look forward to doing so. However, it does seem that no one is able to make music documentaries these days without relying on endless personalities extolling the virtues of the subject artiste. Much better is to hear from the man himself, interspersed with some live concert footage to my mind. As for For Loving Me, whilst it seems a bit sexist to modern ears, I hear it as rather ironic, ie. a self confessed loser rather than a boasting braggart.

Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot Documentary CBC
From: meself
Date: 13 May 20 - 08:47 PM

I would "hate to say it" because I really don't like the tendency of the Canadian cultural and political elites to tear down those among us who succeed - sometimes, as in this case, at the same time as they are ostensibly honouring them.

Have watched about half an hour - I could do with much less of the 'personalities' telling me how great Gord is - and a lot more of the archival footage.

Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot Documentary CBC
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 13 May 20 - 08:27 PM

Why would you "hate to say it"? I have watched it twice so far. Worth another look/see soon. It is really special. I never thought about him before I saw the movie; had no idea of the breadth of his music. Well done!

Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot Documentary CBC
From: meself
Date: 13 May 20 - 10:04 AM

"his mea culpa at the start" - I just started watching, and, maybe it will all make sense later, but it seems really odd that you would kick off a documentary of a great songwriter with him beating himself up over one unrepresentative song he wrote 60 years ago. Hate to say it, but it seems a particularly Canadian way of approaching the celebration of an accomplished Canadian.

Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot Documentary CBC
From: Hagman
Date: 12 May 20 - 07:48 PM

Happy to accept PM's for further advice on tracking it down.

Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot Documentary CBC
From: gillymor
Date: 12 May 20 - 09:58 AM

Hopefully it will show up there, many docs do.

Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot Documentary CBC
From: GUEST,Starship
Date: 12 May 20 - 09:49 AM

It runs for one hour, twenty-eight minutes, seven seconds in the event you're looking for it on YouTube. I just checked and it isn't there at this time.

Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot Documentary CBC
From: gillymor
Date: 12 May 20 - 09:26 AM

Won't play for me here in the states, yet another reason to move to Canada.
Actually it will probably show up on Youtube or Vimeo before long.

Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot Documentary CBC
From: GUEST,Starship
Date: 12 May 20 - 09:20 AM

For those who can get to it, here's a link to the documentary:

https://www.cbc.ca/documentaries/specials/gordon-lightfoot-if-you-could-read-my-mind-1.5102331

Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot Documentary CBC
From: Hagman
Date: 12 May 20 - 02:43 AM

Agreed. And it's just as interesting about his middle years - the "lost" Hollywood times.... he knew how to party!

Most interesting is his mea culpa at the start while watching an early clip of himself performing "That's What You Get For Lovin' Me."

Subject: Gordon Lightfoot Documentary CBC
From: GUEST,bernieandred
Date: 12 May 20 - 02:25 AM

Just watched a great documentary on CBC Gem, (their streaming service) probably only available in Canada, but if you can find it, check it out. Title is "If You Could Read My Mind".
Some interesting stuff about his very early days.