Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs

28 Dec 04 - 07:54 AM (#1365793)
Subject: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: burntstump

Anyone still play songs written by Gordon Lightfoot, if so which ones?

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28 Dec 04 - 08:11 AM (#1365812)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: GUEST,Roger in Baltimore

I still get requests for "In the Early Morning Rain".

Roger in Baltimore

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28 Dec 04 - 08:44 AM (#1365835)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: GUEST,chinmusic

Though Gordon Lighfoot is in the twilight of his career, his tunes will continue to be sung, and recorded, long after he's gone. Songs like Early Morning Rain and If You Could Read My Mind, for example, are timeless.   Among his songs that I still sing are Rainy Day People, Old Dan's Records and Song For A Winter's Night. I also admire his talent for writing great melodies.

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28 Dec 04 - 08:59 AM (#1365844)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: Amos

I sing one of them -- Winter's Night. Ut is a powerful song, done right.



A

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28 Dec 04 - 09:30 AM (#1365874)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: Songsmith

He has released a new CD this year. JP Cormier will also release a tribute CD with 15 Lightfoot tracks and one JP wrote for him. Should be a dandy.

I still play quite a few of his tunes and get a great response when I do.

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28 Dec 04 - 12:07 PM (#1365966)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: burntstump

Early morning rain is a timeless classic, first heard it by Peter Paul & Mary, wonderful song.

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28 Dec 04 - 01:19 PM (#1366031)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: Pauline L

I'm glad to hear that people other than me play Song for a Winter's night. Nobody I play music with seems to know it. (I hope I'll be contradicted on this.) It's so pretty and evocative.

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28 Dec 04 - 01:22 PM (#1366033)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: Bloke in the Corner

I often play 'Boulder Dam'- a fine song

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28 Dec 04 - 01:35 PM (#1366043)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: cptsnapper

Harry Belafonte sang an amazing version of "Song For A Winter's Night" on his album " Belafonte On Campus" although I believe that it was listed as "The Hands I Love."

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28 Dec 04 - 04:50 PM (#1366184)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: Joybell

Here in Victoria, Australia there's a singer who does tribute concerts of Gordon Lightfoot's songs. He performs, mainly, at small venues and festivals, I think. Cheers, Joy

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28 Dec 04 - 05:23 PM (#1366212)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: Pistachio

My memory bank isn't up to much but years ago I had my collection of Gordon Lightfoot tape cassettes stolen and I'm struggling to recall what were the favourites. I never did get replacements...maybe that'll be a good task for the new year. Sorry I don't play his songs but I do recall loving the sound of his voice. Thanks for jogging my mind!
Hazel.

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28 Dec 04 - 05:54 PM (#1366244)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: My guru always said

I've been singing 'Ode to Big Blue' for years, and for years I've meant to try 'Don Quixote' too, but not sure my unaccompanied style will do it justice. Maybe one day...

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28 Dec 04 - 06:29 PM (#1366285)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: Once Famous

I still sing Early Morning Rain in a performance. In fact it is a set starter for me. I used to sing Canadian Railroad Trilogy years ago but have kind of rotated it out. Song for a Winter Night is such a great tune but I do not do it.

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28 Dec 04 - 06:36 PM (#1366293)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: number 6

Beautiful, Pussywillows Cattails.

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28 Dec 04 - 08:24 PM (#1366385)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: jimmyt

One of our standards from our play list is For Lovin'Me.   Early morning Rain is hard to beat.

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28 Dec 04 - 09:02 PM (#1366420)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: Cluin

Lots of great songs written by GL, of course. I used to do a lot more of his songs years ago, but in the last year or so, I think it's only been maybe Edmund Fitzgerald, Marie Christine, Early Morning Rain, Did She Mention My Name, Ribbon of Darkness, I'm Not Saying, High and Dry, and (once) Christian Island at a party on a friend's charter sailboat.

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28 Dec 04 - 11:14 PM (#1366481)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: GUEST,bflat

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28 Dec 04 - 11:17 PM (#1366485)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: GUEST,bflat

oops! hit the wrong key! I do play his songs. I especially like, Did She Mention My Name, Early Morning Rain, Ribbon of Darkness. But more than playing his songs, I like to hear him doing them.

Ellen

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28 Dec 04 - 11:35 PM (#1366500)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: Ron Davies

So many absolutely fantastic songs on one of his earliest albums--used to think it was the very first:---Long River, The Way I Feel, For Lovin' Me, Early Morning Rain, Steel Rail Blues, 16 Miles, I'm Not Saying, Ribbon of Darkness. I sure don't play them all but they're all great.

On the CD re-issue, you also get Song For A Winter's Night, Softly, and Canadian Railroad Trilogy, among others--not Did She Mention My Name?, another favorite,---- but still a good crop.

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29 Dec 04 - 02:07 AM (#1366538)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: GUEST

Joybell,

Is that Cliff Ellery you are referring to??

In between running an acoustic venue at the Albert Park Yacht Club (inner city Melbourne for the benefit of non Aussie catters) he has always done a lot of Gordon's songs both solo & with his group Triptych.

He sings them straight & with evident love & respect.

DaveA

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29 Dec 04 - 05:34 AM (#1366601)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: GUEST,Mel Pitts

I do Canadian Railroad Trilogy when I have the time. Also Early Morning Rain still goes down well.

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29 Dec 04 - 08:44 AM (#1366683)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: muppitz

I have been asked if I would learn "If you could read my mind".
Trouble is, I don't know it!!

muppitz x

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29 Dec 04 - 11:18 AM (#1366748)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: burntstump

I sometimes play "Loves Return" an unashamed love song, over the years I have performed, Don Quixote, Wherefore & Why, Big Blue, Trilogy,the one that always goes down well is The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, pun not intended.

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29 Dec 04 - 04:01 PM (#1366976)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: Strollin' Johnny

Minstrel Of The Dawn.
I'd also like to do 'If You Could Read My Mind' but I'm scared of the UK Folk-Nazis' reaction.

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29 Dec 04 - 04:27 PM (#1367005)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: Shanghaiceltic

We regularly do Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald amd the Poney Man.

My first Lightfoot album was Don Quixote.

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29 Dec 04 - 11:19 PM (#1367319)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: Miken

I've played his songs for years. the ones I do now are Early Morning
Rain, For loving Me, Winters Night, TooMuch To Lose, Alberta Bound, Steel Rail Blues, Pony Man and High and Dry.
Mike

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30 Dec 04 - 12:09 AM (#1367352)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: Cap't Bob

Christian Island ~ one of my favorites

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30 Dec 04 - 07:11 AM (#1367497)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: GUEST

I'm just a beginner (who rarely practices), but all I ever wanted to learn were Lightfoot songs (well, ok, I'd like to learn Bridge Over Troubled Waters too). And I have a D-18GL to learn on, so even simple chords sound great.

The songs I have worked on - and when I practice a little I can play at about 3/4 speed - are Song For A Winter's Night, Sit Down Young Stranger, and to a lesser extent If You Could Read My Mind and Heaven Help The Devil (written about the Iranian hostage situation, but eerily appropriate after 9/11 as well). Three of the four are Travis picked; IYCRMM uses a picking pattern that Lightfoot attributes to his dentist! (also used in Beautiful and Softly).

My friend, Cathy Cowette http://cathycowette.com plays a few dozen Lightfoot songs and you can listen to a number of them on her web site on the "music" page. Some are from a live performance with another "Lighthead" friend Derek Kidd. Cathy is a fingerpicker and has worked out some amazing arrangements that work beautifully solo (including IYCRMM, SFAWN and DQ in which she adds trademark elements of the lead to her rhythm playing). And in most cases they aren't difficult to play; I have even managed some of them (the SFAWN intro/bridge). Cathy has the tab for some of her arrangements and is always happy to share her arrangements with other Lightfoot fans.

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30 Dec 04 - 07:13 AM (#1367498)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: vlmagee

Didn't mean to post anonymously. Thought I was logged in ... sorry.

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31 Dec 04 - 04:07 AM (#1367860)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: burntstump

Hi Valaree

So pleased you are learning to play the Martin D18GL, they are such wonderful instruments they need to be played so others can enjoy.

I know it is a treasured possession of yours so keep practicing, the blisters will soon mend.

Happy New Year

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31 Dec 04 - 08:17 AM (#1367982)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: GUEST

What about "Home From the Forest" and "I'll be Alright", both on his first album?

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31 Dec 04 - 09:03 AM (#1368005)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: jacqui.c

I love doing Song For A Winter's Night - the words are wonderful.

I have a friend who does Edmund Fitzgerald beautifully, he also does If You Could Read My Mind.

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31 Dec 04 - 10:58 AM (#1368129)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: vectis

I have been singing Bitter Green regularly for the last 30 years and audiences still love it.
I used to do Early Morning Rain but stopped once I realised that many others did it much better than I did.

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31 Dec 04 - 11:17 AM (#1368146)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: Little Hawk

So many great songs from Mr Lightfoot! I do If You Could Read My Mind, Christian Island, Edmund Fitzgerald, and a couple of others. If it wasn't for Bob Dylan, I'd probably do a lot more of them.

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31 Dec 04 - 11:54 AM (#1368190)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: burntstump

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31 Dec 04 - 10:06 PM (#1368609)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: Pauline L

I'm still waiting for someone other than me from the Washington DC area to say that they sing Song for a Winter's Night.

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02 Jan 05 - 05:22 AM (#1369229)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: burntstump

I do, if I practice it first.
Great song.

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02 Jan 05 - 08:19 AM (#1369299)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: GUEST,Capo da Monty

Affair on 8th Avenue and Circle of Steel have been particular favourites. Have also included Looking at the Rain in a few sets when it seemed very appropriate!
Glad to hear GL is gigging again.
Happy and Healthy New Year to him and all Mudcat fans.

CdM

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02 Jan 05 - 09:52 AM (#1369330)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: Terry Allan Hall

I do a few...Sundown, If You Could Read My Mind, Seven Island Suite, Circle of Steel, Early Morning Rain, Don Quixote, a few others.

Big fan of GL!

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02 Jan 05 - 05:29 PM (#1369603)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: Joybell

Hello Dave, Well! a neighbour! Sort of.
Yes Cliff's the man. Cliff Ellery. He does do the songs straight and with a good voice. It's just the way I prefer to hear them. We've been at the same venue a few times. Lancefield winery's "Not The Port Fairy Festival" I always make a point of being in the audience when he's performing and he's always there when we are. I like him a lot. Nice to hear from you Dave. Cheers, Joy

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08 Jan 05 - 12:27 PM (#1374454)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: burntstump

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08 Jan 05 - 06:22 PM (#1374791)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: Richard Bridge

Workin on Boss Man (without the country)

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08 Jan 05 - 07:42 PM (#1374867)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: Lanfranc

I've sung "Early Morning Rain" since I was knee-high to a Martin uke, also "Loves Return", "Cotton Jenny", "A Minor Ballad". All GL songs that I learned early on, then I met my friend Rick Thomas, who majored in Lightfoot songs so I left them to him, only learning the lyrics in order to prompt him when he lost the thread momentarily.

One day I'll learn some more.

Alan

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09 Jan 05 - 05:15 PM (#1375337)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: George Seto - [e-mail]

I hope to get that JP Cormier Lightfoot tribute within a couple of weeks. He's working on a date here in Halifax, but has his schedule booked for this week and next in Ontario.

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09 Jan 05 - 06:28 PM (#1375390)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: denise:^)

I play "Ten Degrees and Getting Colder." I love that song...

I've been asked to do "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald," but I never have, so far. (I do workshops on "Michigan Songs," but "Fitzgerald" just looms so large and so long and so...well, I don't know, but I can't imagine sounding very good after the first couple of verses!!)

--denise :^)

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09 Jan 05 - 06:55 PM (#1375409)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: GUEST,shantyjohn

Great writer & performer.

I do a bad Cotton Jenny & an improving Christian Island.

John

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09 Jan 05 - 09:23 PM (#1375553)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: DaveA

Hello to you too Joy

Almost neighbours indeed(though I'm in Albert Park & I gather you are out in the scrub a bit).
Have you ever tried the Troubadour Weekend at Kyneton every November?
Cliff is pretty much a regular there & it's a really fun weekend.
Details are to be found on Andrew Pattison's website
    http://www.wineandmusic.net/

Maybe I'll find you iether there later this year or at Lancefield in March

Cheers

Dave

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09 Jan 05 - 10:14 PM (#1375599)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: GUEST,[e-mail]

yo! gord fans, i mainly got interested in folk music as a result of my first lightfoot record and presently do a few including two of my favorites "the yarmoth castle" (i think a much better song than "the wreck" which also is good. i also very much love and do "home from the forest" also a great and not well known song of his.

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09 Jan 05 - 11:54 PM (#1375667)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: Steve Latimer

Bluegrass Flatpicking Virtuoso Tony Rice did a Gordon Lightfoot CD.

http://www.acousticmusic.com/fame/p00312.htm

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09 Jan 05 - 11:55 PM (#1375668)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: Steve Latimer

Sorry, Here is the Blicky.

Tony Rice Sings Gordon Lightfoot

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10 Jan 05 - 11:23 AM (#1375814)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: GUEST,Jim

Early Morning Rain (signature tune)
If you could read my mind
Pony Man
If you got it
Canadian Railroad trilogy
I'm not saying
Poor little Alison
Sit Down Young Stranger
Somewhere USA
Edmund Fitzgerald
Your Love's Return
Minstral of the Dawn
Circle of steel
Approaching Lavender
Sundown

Needless to say - I'm a fan. I've sung Early Morning rain so many times over many many years I can't believe I'm not sick off it, but I still love it. When someone else sang it at a local folk club, someone leaned over and whispered to me "How do you feel about him singing your song?"
I whispered back "It's not my song, it's Gordon Lightfoot's"

My 24 year old son was on holiday in Spain 2 years ago and a busker was amazed that he was able to sing along to it. On another occasion he was walking down town behind "an old guy" (probably my age - cheeky bugger) who started singing "In the early morning rain" - my son then added "With a dollar in my hand"
The guy turned round and said "How do you know that song - you're too young"

If they're good enough - they get passed down and will be sung for generations. It was GL's music that forced me to learn fingerstyle guitar. Another toast to the great man....

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10 Jan 05 - 01:14 PM (#1375964)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: burntstump

Early Morning Rain sung by Peter Paul & Mary was one of my first folk influences, I have a video of them singing it in the 60s, makes me shiver even now.

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11 Jan 05 - 02:32 PM (#1376817)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: burntstump

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11 Jan 05 - 05:49 PM (#1377003)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: Joybell

Hello Dave, Yes I think True-Love - Hildebrand and O'Leary have been to that one. Hildebrand was on the bill for the opening of the original "Troubadour" and played there for years after that. He has a long association with Andrew. We've probably met. We now live about 3 hours West of you. Cheers, Joy

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12 Jan 05 - 03:15 AM (#1377274)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: burntstump

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12 Jan 05 - 12:43 PM (#1377437)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: RichM

An interesting tribute album by various performers including Harry Manx, the Cowboy Junkies, and Blue Rodeo:

HERE

Listen to Terry Tufts singing "For Loving Me"
Good voice, monster guitar player!

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12 Jan 05 - 09:45 PM (#1377864)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: Pauline L

Guest, Jim, thanks for reminding me of some of Gordon Lightfoot's great songs I had forgotten about. He certainly wrote a lot of great ones.

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14 Jan 05 - 11:50 AM (#1378971)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: burntstump

Jack Hudson will sometimes do a Lightfoot song if you twist his arm

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14 Jan 05 - 04:02 PM (#1379207)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: Capo da Monty

I have a Jack Hudson album "Summer Days and You" (later re-issued under the title"Homecoming") with Lightfoot songs:-
Summer Side of Life Your Loves Return In a Windowpane          Love & Maple Syrup The Last Time I Saw her

Rainy Day People was on his Starlights & Headlights album

Perhaps GL will pick up one of Jack's songs some day. He does do the occasional cover I believe.

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15 Jan 05 - 03:37 AM (#1379323)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: burntstump

Lightfoot will be sent a copy of Jacks new CD

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16 Jan 05 - 01:27 PM (#1379948)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: burntstump

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16 Jan 05 - 05:20 PM (#1380084)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: Cluin

Saw Terry Tufts doing "For Loving Me" in a little house concert a couple of years ago. But he did it at a faster tempo than that recording. I agree; great artist.

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18 Jan 05 - 12:42 PM (#1381405)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: burntstump

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22 Jan 05 - 03:34 AM (#1385001)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: burntstump

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26 Feb 14 - 11:26 AM (#3605061)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: Capo da Monty

Since teaming up with a brilliant lead guitarist (Frank Boyle)and Bass guitarist(Bob Burke)we often include:-

Song for a Winter's Night
Rainy Day People
Sundown
The Way I Feel
IYCRMM
Ode to Big Blue
Don Quixote
Sit Down Young Stranger
Cold on the Shoulder

CdM

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26 Feb 14 - 01:31 PM (#3605111)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: GUEST,Don Wise

Sang "The Ballad of the Yarmouth Castle" in public the other night.

"Early Morning rain" and "For lovin' me" are still firmly in my mind 'though I've not sung them in public for 40+ years.

I'm working on "Song for a winters night". I love "Edmund Fitzgerald" but I'm not sure that I can do it justice.

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26 Feb 14 - 08:16 PM (#3605235)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: PHJim

Gordon Lightfoot fan, singer/songwriter Aengus Finnan initiated a Lightfoot Tribute 12 years ago. It is now held yearly at Hugh's Room in Toronto.

Way We Feel

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26 Feb 14 - 08:20 PM (#3605237)
Subject: RE: Gordon Lightfoot anyone play his songs
From: PHJim

I first saw Gord as the tenor guitar player in the Two Tones at Mariposa in 1961 or 1962. He and baritone Ukulele player Terry Whelen played as a duo in Orillia. The next time I saw Gord, he was a solo act and had Three times as many strings on his guitar.

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