I love Lightfoot's music. By why does every article praising a Canadian have to compare and contrast hiom or her with an American? The "little man" syndrome is constant in Canadian media.
Now I'm gonna have that damn song in my head all day...
Looks like I have another album to buy.
Ping
I saw him this past February here in Florida. It was the third time I had the opportunity to see him. The first time was years ago and he announced that one year earlier, from that night, the Edmund Fitgerald had sunk. This last one you couldn't help but notice his voice wasn't as strong as it had once been, but nonetheless it was a great concert. One of the greats of all time.
"Low key" is the perfect description for his act. He made music. That's all. He didn't strut or fret or pontificate. He played the music that made him famous.
When he got to "Don Quixote," I almost got misty. Songs like that come from the days of the troubadour, not from the plastic bands of the post-Modern world.
For a few hours that night, I was reminded of the heights to which Man can aspire.
And isn't that the purpose of art?
Still remember listening to "Steel Rail Blues" on my two-transistor radio back arund 1964...
I've lost count of how many Lightfoot concerts I've attended. I've been a fan for about four decades.
He's a genius.
Although he has had some songs that describe war,or it's
aftermath, it always seems to be a commentary on mans
condition, not really some anti-specific war screed.
Pride of Man- he covers a Hamilton Camp song on 1st album.
Leaves of Grass--on live album
Lost Children--on live album
Patriots Dream--Sundown album
Protocol-Summertime dream album
are a few songs that come to my mind...if you have a chance
pick up some of his albums....and listen to the words....
Try "Minstral of the Dawn"
Good for Gordon Lightfoot. There's no need for him to trumpet his support for the troops. Just that fact that he does it, is important.
He is my all-time favorite singer. Geez, I gotta go shopping for his albums.
Legendary singer/songwriter Gordon Lightfoot will accept honorary membership in the Barbershop Harmony Society Saturday, April 22, in Toronto. Lightfoot is being honored by the Society for his support of barbershop harmony and the impact he’s had on the world of music.
A native Canadian, Lightfoot will receive his award during the Champions Show, immediately following an Ontario regional barbershop competition at 7:30 p.m. at the Sir John A. MacDonald Collegiate Institute.
Drayton Justus, president of the Society, will bestow the honor. “It is our great pleasure to honor Gordon Lightfoot in this way,” Justus said. “His music already has etched an indelible mark on modern culture. We like to think his early experience in barbershop harmony encouraged him in some way.”
Lightfoot was a member of the Orillia, Ontario, chapter of the Society. His first barbershop quartet, The Collegiate Four, was formed in late 1952 prior to Lightfoot entering high school. They won first prize on the CBC television talent contest “Pick the Stars” in the fall of 1953.
His second quartet, Teen-Timers, competed in regional barbershop contests and placed second in November of 1955. The group’s performance schedule is said to have rivaled that of groups performing more contemporary music. The quartet disbanded as its members pursued university education.
Lightfoot volunteered his time to perform during a barbershop chapter’s charity auction in 2001. As part of that event, he sang with the award-winning Toronto Northern Lights chorus.
The singer/songwriter has five Grammy nominations, 17 Juno awards and the Governor General’s Award, the highest official Canadian honor, among many other honors.
He joins artists such as Dick Van Dyke, Irving Berlin, Meredith Willson, Victor Borge, the Osmond Brothers, Sherrill Milnes and Gene Puerling in an elite group who also have been honored by the Barbershop Harmony Society.
Contest tickets will be available at the door based on seat availability.
Good post. I usually cringe when I hear performers express an opinion. Most of them have the IQ of a turnip and are much less well informed.
But, Gordon's not a performer - he's a poet bard. Glad to hear he's healthy and still making beautiful music.
I always liked Gordon Lightfoot.
Gordon Lightfoot is the only musician I have ever paid money to watch in concert. Very "old school" performance. Some musicians on sitting on stools with a lot of guitars and sound equipment around them - that's all. But that was what we wanted.
He has struggled with his health and was close to death a few years ago. His musical talents are not what they once were but, at his age, that can be forgiven.
He wrote some anit-Vietnam songs in his youth (even got "banned" in Detroit for one of them) so I am glad to read he is supporting Canada's soldiers now.
Go Gordy! I have LOVED his music for decades, there is no voice like his!!!