Thoughts on Gordon Lightfoot

Subject: RE: Thoughts on Gordon Lightfoot
From: Peter T.
Date: 28 May 01 - 11:26 AM

Hi Valerie, there are many, many fans of Gordon here (not just because there are lots of Canadians about). Apart from "Canadian Railroad Trilogy" (the greatest Canadian song ever written), I have always liked "Did She Mention My Name?" For some reason just the sound of it evokes every small town in Canada.

yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: Thoughts on Gordon Lightfoot
From: vlmagee
Date: 28 May 01 - 12:09 PM

I too love both of those songs. Canadian Railroad Trilogy is my #1 favorite Lightfoot song. I went to my first concert because I loved Wreck (from radio airplay), and it is probably my #2 favorite still. I was shocked to discover that Lightfoot and not Peter Yarrow or Paul Stookey had written For Lovin' Me and Early Mornin' Rain, two of my favorite folk songs from the 60s. But when Lightfoot performed Trilogy, a song I had never heard before, time stood still. I have never been the same since that night. (My husband might not think that is such a good thing).

Subject: RE: Thoughts on Gordon Lightfoot
From: vlmagee
Date: 28 May 01 - 12:18 PM

Some comments on Lightfoot's demeanor in concert - then and now. The thing that many people don't realize is that even today - after some 40 years in the business - Lightfoot is very shy. He is also a very committed professional, and he starts almost every concert with a bit of nervousness and tension. When he says little, it is not because he is standoffish - and any fan who has had the privilege of speaking with him after a concert will attest to the fact that he is a very warm person. A fan speaking with Lightfoot for the first time is always amazed as how much like an old friend he is.

In recent years, he has definitely relaxed a lot more in concert, but there are many nights when he says little. But it isn't standoffishness. He is intense and committed, and the singing comes a lot easier than the between songs banter. But even on a relatively quiet night, you can usually pick up a lot about Lightfoot the man by listening carefully to what he does say.

I just put up a review of the Saturday Massey concert at my web site at http://gordonlightfoot.com . I think that if you read it, you will get some sense of what his concerts are like, and of what he is like as well.

Subject: RE: Thoughts on Gordon Lightfoot
From: vlmagee
Date: 28 May 01 - 12:38 PM

For anyone who is trying to reach my site, my domain name hosting service is down (for the first time), much to my dismay. However, you can also reach it at http://mageenet.net . That won't help anyone else but if you want to at it now you can use that ...

Subject: RE: Thoughts on Gordon Lightfoot
From: Little Hawk
Date: 28 May 01 - 04:10 PM

vlmagee - fascinating info! Thanks for joining in here and sharing it with us. I saw Lightfoot at Mariposa last year, and he did a meticulous and very friendly performance that was excellent throughout.

- LH

Subject: RE: Thoughts on Gordon Lightfoot
From: Joy Bennett
Date: 31 May 01 - 11:26 PM

Ok, so I'll finally jump in here -- I had the pleasure of meeting Gordon Lightfoot in the early 1970s (it was either 1972 or 72) at Lincoln Center in New York . Didn't hear him perform live again till the late 80s or early 90s - at carnegie Hall --

I love his music -- all those that have been mentioned here ( yes, love EF too - the story is dear to my heart) and some others not mentioned here like Approaching Lavender, Beautiful, Song for a Winter;s night and one of my all time favorites - Affair on 8th Avenue. I have two very old and used vinyl copies of Gord's Gold and the new cd which left off Affair on 8th Avenue (much to my dissappointment) - but of course I found it on another cd release (yesss!!!)

And if you ever log onto this site, thank you Gordon for all your wonderful music over the years. you inspired me to sing, made me laugh, cry, and helped me through the ups and downs of life.

Valerie -- I will check out your website. And thanks for having it.

Subject: RE: Thoughts on Gordon Lightfoot
From: Joy Bennett
Date: 07 Jun 01 - 07:59 AM

refresh

Subject: RE: Thoughts on Gordon Lightfoot
From: vlmagee
Date: 08 Jun 01 - 12:17 PM

Thank you Joy. I am sorry for not responding to your post earlier, but I couldn't think of anything to say other than "thanks", and "me too". My web site is a "labor of love", as you can see if you visit it.

As far as logging on to this site (Mudcat), or any site, I don't think our Gord is Internet savvy. He knows about it - the good and the bad - but last I knew, he didn't even have a computer at home. He does, however, have a sense of the wide following he has - and of the many people on the Internet who love his music and have been able to share that love with other people because of the Internet. There were about 70 of us as a group at his concerts in Toronto (and undoubtedly others that we didn't know). Most of us once thought we were the only one! As I said in my review of the Saturday concert, he dedicated a song to us - Sit Down Young Stranger. And the wonderful thing about it was that several of us had independently requested it!

I don't know how much the folks here want to talk about Lightfoot, but if you get me started I won't stop! Feel free to write me directly as well (e-mail address is at my web site).

PS: If you haven't discovered his boxed set yet (Songbook, Rhino Records, 1999), you are in for a real treat!

Subject: RE: Thoughts on Gordon Lightfoot
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 28 Jan 04 - 03:29 AM

nice thread.

Subject: RE: Thoughts on Gordon Lightfoot
From: Bo Vandenberg
Date: 28 Jan 04 - 04:05 AM

I'm really grateful to Lightfoot for the dark hours where I've listened to his recordings and just wandered in his storytelling. I find it interesting that 'Pride of Man' came up because the lyrics of it often come to me. I've never heard anyone else sing it and I suspect they wouldn't be able to displace Gord's voice or sincerity.

He's a rare talent and I imagine a rare soul.

I can't think of another song as long as his railroad trilogy that I willingly listen to over and over.

He makes music that you want to share. It fills you up while giving you a story to tell, or perhaps puts your own life in a new light.


If you ever read this, Thank you Gord.

nice thread

Sigurd

Subject: RE: Thoughts on Gordon Lightfoot
From: open mike
Date: 28 Jan 04 - 04:56 AM

There is a tribute album which has been released last year.
It is called Beautiful, and has some wonderful artists doing
Lightfoot songs. It is on Borealis records. check Borealis and northern blues reviews

Subject: RE: Thoughts on Gordon Lightfoot
From: GUEST,Strollin' Johnny
Date: 28 Jan 04 - 05:39 AM

Gord's the Daddy! A lot of writers and performers owe a very great deal to his influence. It's sad that he seems to be perceived in the UK as being too 'Americanised' nowadays, at least that's how it appears, but drop one of his songs into a set and you can guarantee it'll get a good reception.

Undoubtedly one of the Superstars.
IMHO,
Johnny

Subject: RE: Thoughts on Gordon Lightfoot
From: Cluin
Date: 28 Jan 04 - 05:01 PM

Grew up listening to Lightfoot and cut my teeth playing and singing his great songs. I owe him a lot, though I have never met him.