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Author
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Topic: Favorite Lightfoot Song & Why? II
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Brady Bunch
unregistered
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posted December 06, 2000 21:27
 
Anne -- I too saw Gordon in Lincoln City. We got to sit in the front row for his second concert on Saturday night, a magical event for me. It was the first time I'd seen him since 1982, so changes have happened! He seemed a bit tired at that one too, did 90 minutes straight. I left my business card, with requests written on the back, on the stage. He picked it up about 1/2 way through the concert, and I almost died right there. He read one of the titles out loud, "Never Too Close," said they'd done that one in the earlier show and "good songs are like tires, they must be rotated." Then, he put MY card in his back pocket!! I leaned over to my husband and loudly whispered "my business card is next to Gordon's rear!!" Char, are you listening? I didn't get to meet him as I had hoped, but this series of events was a big enough thrill for me for the evening. I kept waiting for him to call me at work, but he hasn't yet (LOL).As for my favorites (plural, not singular), IYCRMM, Seven Island Suite, The Watchman's Gone, I'm Not Supposed To Care, If Children Had Wings, All I'm After, Same Old Obsession, Hi'Way Songs, Lazy Mornin' (beautiful piano work by Gord), The Circle is Small, Circle of Steel, to name just a few!! He is simply the best, isn't he? I'm like you, Char, I feel so lucky and blessed to have his music in my life. I feel sorry for people who don't appreciate him!! Also, I have a 16 at home who thinks my obsession is nuts. Oh well... IP: Logged |
fenman
Member
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posted December 06, 2000 22:33
Picking just one favorite song is like just eating one potato chip , very difficult. On the other hand , a short list might be a better topic . My favorites include Beautful , Song For A Winters Night , IYCRMM , Don Quixote , and CRT . "The house you live in will never fall down if you pity the stranger who stands at the gate "------------------
Vern IP: Logged |
charlene
Moderator
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posted December 07, 2000 14:41
Brady Bunch!
how cool! send me your e-mail - I'll send you an appropriate picture!
westbrd@sprint.ca
chr
IP: Logged |
Ken Bailey
unregistered
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posted December 10, 2000 09:01
My favorite (of the many Gordon Lightfoot compositions I LOVE) is "Looking at the rain" (a lesser known song from the album "Don Quioxte"). Sometimes he can just paint a picture that goes beyond what words can: this one, a powerful picture of a person trying to cope with the loss of a love. The words, the melody, and the rise and fall of the strings come together to make this song at once sad and beautiful. Haunting, really. I don't think Gordon Lightfoot has ever gotten the credit he deserves. As a composer, he is on the same shelf and Lennon/McCartney, and Shakespere. I hope he keeps writing for decades to come.IP: Logged |
Megan
unregistered
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posted December 10, 2000 18:58
I really like Song for a Winter's Night. It is a beautiful song with good and pretty words and it now holds special meaning for me and a friend that I am about to lose.IP: Logged |
sdpops
unregistered
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posted December 10, 2000 22:37
Winters night,, Gordon is a fantastic song writer, one I admire a great deal., quote:
Originally posted by Florian:
What is your favorite Lightfoot Song & Why?(topic originated by Wes Steele)
[This message has been edited by Florian (edited February 26, 2000).]
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osubear
Member
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posted December 12, 2000 10:37
i first heard gl in 1968 and the first song i heard was ballad of yarmouth castle.so this would have to be my favorite gl song.i have been listening to gl ever since.IP: Logged |
bacall
Member
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posted December 13, 2000 05:22
Mine is an oldie: "The Last Time I Saw Her."
The song is very emotional, and very visually striking, when one listens to it, and closes their eyes. I would have loved to have made this into a video, many years ago...perhaps, even now. It's a wonderfully crafted song, and has held up well over the test of time.------------------
IP: Logged |
simplewood
Member
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posted December 17, 2000 14:27
East of Midnight. The best. Great instrumental feel with soaring vocals. I have played Gords' music on the streets of S.F. in the 70's. I wish I had used this one.IP: Logged |
Curtis
unregistered
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posted December 21, 2000 14:53
How about "Too Late For Praying?" Song seems to say it all. Hard pressed, I'd have to say "If You Could Read My Mind.""lord abide let us stem the tide, of helplessness, but then I guess, we're living, it's too late for prayin'" IP: Logged |
Meere
unregistered
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posted December 21, 2000 19:33
This week its "If you need me" from Dream Street Rose. I can play it over and over. It's a wonderful sentiment. I love finding these great melodies from my old albums.IP: Logged |
Jen
unregistered
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posted December 30, 2000 01:42
Well, here's my two cents. My favorite song is "Race Among the Ruins". I like it because I first heard it when I was going through a hard time with my friends, and it gave me a different perspective on things. IP: Logged |
FRROGGLEJOE@AOL.COM
unregistered
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posted January 02, 2001 12:55
"SONG FOR A WINTER'S NIGHT" IS MY FAVORITE GORD SONG. THE WORDS ARE SO SIMPLE, YET SO POETIC AND THE MUSIC IS BEAUTIFUL. ITS A WONDERFUL SONG. I WOULD SAY IT IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SONG EVER WRITTEN. IP: Logged |
Patrinky
Member
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posted January 02, 2001 20:02
My favorite song is 7 Island Suite -- the music moves me beyond description. I wish he'd play it in his concerts. It sets a great mood. ------------------
Patrinky
"Just think about the fool who by his virtue can be found in a most unusual situation playing jester to the clown." IP: Logged |
MISSMOOHERSELF
Member
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posted January 12, 2001 07:06
SO many favorites. Best of best is "Something Very Special" because of the words and the incredible music. Also, "Canadian RR Trilogy," "The Last Time I Saw Her" and "Song for a Winter's Night." New stuff isn't quite as good as old stuff but Gord is still GOLD and maybe even GOD!IP: Logged |
Leonardo Rossi
unregistered
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posted January 12, 2001 17:15
Gordon Lightfoot's best song? I think it would have to be "The Circle is Small". The contrast between the sadness of its subject matter and the uplifting, carefree, 'liberating' melodic theme is to my mind what makes it a great accomplishment, concept-wise. And if you should separate the lyrics from the melody, you would find that they can pretty well function by themselves. Lightfoot wisely gave it a more complex, refined arrangement in its "Endless Wire" version (the song had appeared previously on his "Back Here On Earth" album), but you could strum it on your guitar and it would come across as equally potent. I think this is the best of Lightfoot's many beautiful songs.IP: Logged |
George
unregistered
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posted January 17, 2001 21:51
For me it's easy!! "Anything For Love" is the most beautiful song ever!!!! The song is one of the very few that makes me feel kind of "funny" inside. It makes me want to cry and smile at the same time. The music is mesmerizing, and the lyrics are incredible. I'm just kind of disappointed that I'm the only one that posted this song.P.S. Is it just me or does this song remind anyone of Bryan Ferry of Roxy Music? IP: Logged |
young stranger
Member
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posted January 17, 2001 22:39
Wow, I just realized how long everyone has kept this topic going. Well, if anyone remembers, my absolute favorite Gord song will always be Carefree Highway. I wrote a rather heartfelt reason for that under another topic. I wanted to say that because I am going to mention another song now. I have quite a few that I absolutely love, as everyone does. These include Song For A Winter's Night, Shadows, and others. But those have been mentioned a lot. One that I haven't seen too many people mention, which surprises me, is Steel Rail Blues. I know it must be on many personal favorites lists, but most have failed to mention it. I love the pace of this song, Gord really got the tempo perfect on this one. I can't really specify too many of the reasons why I like it, mostly because I don't know that much technical info about music. All I know is that this would be one of the songs on my list if I could only have a few with me on a deserted island (uh, oh! sounds like a good subject for a topic). Anyone else feel this way about Steel Rail Blues?IP: Logged |
D. Gault
unregistered
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posted January 23, 2001 14:22
Sundown
I like to sing it and play it on the guitar.D. Gault IP: Logged |
ZoningK@aol.com
unregistered
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posted January 23, 2001 21:19
My favorite has to be "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" It's so haunting and brings back memories of me working myself to death in a factory, listening to this on the radio over the intercom. I can't wait for the upcoming movie for the Fitzgerald to begin production in June. Gord sings the song so beautifully--and haunting. I think it's the best.IP: Logged |
pablo60
unregistered
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posted January 25, 2001 19:57
THE favorite Gord light song of mine? Oh man, that is a hard question; many, sundown,wreck of the ed fitz. I can't remember all the names or albulms, but,you know, be kind to the stranger that stands at your gate, that song I've always lived by. All of 'em!IP: Logged |
Alyson
unregistered
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posted January 25, 2001 23:50
"Poor Little Allison"IP: Logged |
linda.greenberg@pepsi.com
unregistered
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posted January 26, 2001 22:45
quote:
Originally posted by Florian:
What is your favorite Lightfoot Song & Why?(topic originated by Wes Steele)
[This message has been edited by Florian (edited February 26, 2000).]
IP: Logged |
Shannon
unregistered
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posted January 27, 2001 00:06
Which favorite? Hmmm. The very first song I can ever remember hearing is "Sundown" when I was just a little kid and whenever I listen to that song it evokes memories of growing up and living in the mountains and my parents and their friends sitting around at night talking and listening to music, so in a way that is my favorite because of all the personal memories attached to it. But then there are several more. I love "Song for a Winter's Night" because of the visuals and the way it makes me feel, and "Canadian Railroad Trilogy" because I had relatives whom I never knew who helped build the Canadian Railroad and it feels like a "connection" to them and their time. Really though it is hard to choose an all-time favorite, now that I have to try to do it.IP: Logged |
Chester Morrison
unregistered
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posted January 27, 2001 19:54
Brave Mountaineers off Don Q."And I need to be there,
when the autumn wind goes singing
through the trestle we would climb..." And Ordinary Man as a close second, both
great songs to play and sing. IP: Logged |
Robert
unregistered
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posted January 30, 2001 07:11
Hey everyone. I just might be the youngest one here (21), but a huge Lightfoot fan already. My favourite song, which I don't believe has been mentioned at all yet, is Magnificent Outpouring! Am I the only one who thinks that song is as catchy as anything he's ever written? IP: Logged |
darryl
unregistered
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posted January 30, 2001 12:23
One of my favorite songs is Brave Mountaineers. When I was a child there was a wooden trestle here that my best friend (and later sweetheart) would climb and hold on for dear life when a train would pass. Another of our favorite things to do was climb to the barn loft and jump into a pile of hay. She, and those glorious days, are gone, but that song never fails to evoke a very sweet nostalgia.
IP: Logged |
Greg S.
unregistered
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posted January 31, 2001 01:06
quote:
Originally posted by Florian:
What is your favorite Lightfoot Song & Why?Canadian Railroad Trilogy is my favorite, because I grew up in the northwest (Washington state) and always heard the freight train's whistle late at night when I went to bed, a magical sound. Also, my grandfather worked for the Great Northern RR in Montana. Gord's tribute to the men who built the Canadian RR lives forever in my heart.
(topic originated by Wes Steele)
[This message has been edited by Florian (edited February 26, 2000).]
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Missa
unregistered
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posted February 12, 2001 20:51
My favorite song from GL is, "not supposed to care" from his summertime dream album, why is my favorite, because my dad used to sing it to me when I was just a wee lass. And that is one of my best memories of my father, plus it's a beauitful songIP: Logged |
leboeuf@csolve.net
unregistered
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posted February 12, 2001 23:14
I was listening to "Old Dan's Records" recently and I really like "That Same Old Obsession". Its a great song about lost love and the tormented soul. I like that album because "The Good Brothers" played backup banjo and autoharp for Gord and the Goods are from my home town of Richmond Hill, Ontario.IP: Logged |
leboeuf@csolve.net
unregistered
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posted February 12, 2001 23:22
Recently, I have been listening to "Old Dan's Records", and I really like the song "That Same Old Obsession".Its a song about lost love and the torment of separation. I also like the added depth that the "Good Brothers" provided on this album. I'm a bit prejudiced as well since they are Richmond Hill,Ontario boys like me.IP: Logged |
taylorch
unregistered
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posted February 24, 2001 10:02
The best GL song is "CAnadian RAilroad TRILOGY" Chris in MilwaukeeIP: Logged |
Westernstar9
Member
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posted March 01, 2001 02:11
Purely from a musical standpoint, I think "Now And Then" would be my favorite. Everything in the song works well. Terry's acoustic fills, Pewee's steel with a chiming effect, John's basswork that keeps the song from drying up, and Jim's steady percussion.Overall: Canadian Railroad Trilogy. I'm a railfan to begin with and in 1973 I rode Amtrak's "San Francisco Zephyr"(name has since been changed) from Reno to Oakland. In January. Over Donner Pass. I sat in the open vesitbule in the rear car on the train on a stepbox. Cold as it was Gord's description of building the Canadian transcontinental railroad rang true with me during that ride. Only instead of "Navvies" or white scandinavians building the RR we had "Coolies" and Chinese and Irish. And many are the dead men.....
------------------
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Westernstar9
Member
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posted March 01, 2001 02:20
quote:
Originally posted by George:
For me it's easy!! "Anything For Love" is the most beautiful song ever!!!! The song is one of the very few that makes me feel kind of "funny" inside. It makes me want to cry and smile at the same time. The music is mesmerizing, and the lyrics are incredible. I'm just kind of disappointed that I'm the only one that posted this song.P.S. Is it just me or does this song remind anyone of Bryan Ferry of Roxy Music?
George: It's a good song, but for most hardcore Lighfoot fans it's not really a "Lightfoot" song. The song was more of an attempt to crack the top-40, but failed because: a) It is lyrically too sophisticated for the general audience and b)
the record buying audience at that time saw the name "Gordon Lightfoot" and recalled that their parents have his records. That was the kiss of death. Remember that when that record was released in 1986, Gord was 48 years old.
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marvid@sniffout.com
unregistered
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posted March 01, 2001 04:29
Favourite Lightfoot song?
"Restless" The lyric "Do ya get that restless yearning when you think about yer Dad and the scrinshaw that he had of an old schooner rovin' 'neath a sky that's ironclad". Puts me in mind of my old Dad. I was born and live in England> My Father was a Canadian (Newfoundlander)came to Britain (WW2)met my Mother and remained. Being a Nwfy, he spent his young life at sea (fishing and rum running)My Mother left us when I was 7 and Dad did all that hard work getting me unscathed to my teen years long before social security eased the burden. Something for which I will be eternally grateful. Thanks Dad, and thanks to GL for some great songs.
My wife and I will be in the US in April and I have booked tickets for both Gordon's concerts in Milwaukee. Loking forward to it.
Dave H England.IP: Logged |
marvid@sniffout.com
unregistered
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posted March 01, 2001 13:10
I can spell "scrimshaw" and "looking"
Honest.
Dave H.IP: Logged |
Cole Cioran
unregistered
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posted March 02, 2001 20:07
Love and Maple Syrup has always gotten to me.How could poetry like: "When lonely lovers come to rest
beneath the trees they do their best
but still they can't be free." not? Second in line is probably "A Song For a Winter's Night," mostly because it reminds me of cold nights listening to Gordon Lightfoot. Cole IP: Logged |
sarah bachadonna
unregistered
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posted March 02, 2001 21:39
My favourite Gordon Lightfoot tunes are "Edmund Fitzgerald", because of it's haunting lyrics and "Steel Rail Blues" and tons of others, like "Ribbon of Darkness" and I can't remember the name of the one that was used in a National Film Board production about Canada....it was like the birth of a nation...anyone out there have a name for me?IP: Logged |
charlene
Moderator
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posted March 02, 2001 21:43
Sarah - Canadian Railroad Trilogy is the song you are thinking of.
Char
check out the lyrics in the SONGS section of this site.IP: Logged |
amie
unregistered
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posted March 03, 2001 12:35
My favorite Gordon Lightfo0ot song has to be "The Wreck of The Edmund Fitzgerald". Mainly because of tyhe memories it brings back. For anyone who has never heard this song it is about the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald ( a large reighter) in Lake Superior. The first time I had ever heard this song was crossing th Drake Passage, on New Year's eve. For anyone who doesn't know the Drake Passage is the body of watr between Cape Horn and the Antarctic Peninsula and home to some of th roughest seas in the world. Needless to say this was not the best song to be singing during the crossing , but we made it through. This song now serves as a reminder not only of our crossing of the Drake Passage, but of the many sailors who didn't make back from the "Terra Australis" and those who never made it around the Horn. IP: Logged |
ACG
unregistered
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posted March 09, 2001 22:41
There are so many incredibly great Lightfoot songs.
I was fortunate to be introduced to his music while
at UC Santa Barbara. I used to have headphones on
and study all night with Lightfoot and coffee.
I started loving IFYCRMM, Early Morning Rain, That's
what you get for loving me, I'm not sayin',
My roommates and I would get together and sing
"Did She mention my name?"...I love those songs,
but what cemented my love for his music was
"Song for a Winters Night". I heard it on Gords
Gold album, and I couldn't believe how beautiful
it is. After that, I decided to get all of his
music, and I cannot believe how great his music is.
Anyway, my all time favorite song.....I will
just have to leave a list.....
1) "Wreck"
2) The Watchmans Gone
3) Canadian Railroad Trilogy
4) Heaven Help the Devil
5) Don Quixote
6) Patriots Dream
7) IYCRMM
8) The last time I saw her face
....ah, forget it, there are tooo, tooo many.
"...and many are the dead men, too silent to be real."
"but that was so long ago, that I could scarcely feel,
the way I felt before, and it time could heal the wounds,
I would tear the threads away, that I might bleed some more...
Just incredible.IP: Logged |
pcbern
Member
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posted March 10, 2001 15:23
After 30 years of devotion to the music of GL, and 16 concerts, I have so many favorites...I will come back for more, but for now "The last time I saw her" comes to my consciousness, the lyrics are so poetic, and what imagery. "Her her eyes were bathed in starlight, and her hair hang low..." quote:
Originally posted by Florian:
What is your favorite Lightfoot Song & Why?(topic originated by Wes Steele)
[This message has been edited by Florian (edited February 26, 2000).]
IP: Logged |
DSnodg3491@aol.com
unregistered
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posted March 12, 2001 11:11
Favorite Song: Song for a Winter's Night
In February of 1992, I proposed marriage to my wife, Lori (then girlfriend). One of our favorite songs was "Song for a Winter's Night" and we decided we would use it in our wedding the following October. Shortly after accepting my proposal, Lori and I attended one of Gordon's concerts in Huntsville, Alabama. I was able to get a note to security requesting our song. Gord peformed the song for us that night. I could tell he was performing for us because he forgot many of the lyrics (it was not on his list to play). After 8 plus years of marriage, Song for a Winter's Night remains our song. Thanks Gord for keeping your music meaningful and wholesome.
IP: Logged |
McDan
unregistered
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posted March 13, 2001 10:58
Egads. I thought I was the world's greatest Lightfoot fan, but I now realize I'm just a rank amateur. Favorite song? Many I love, but I would suppose I'm the only fan to do this. I have 7 hours of my favorites on 1 hour cassettes. At the end of tape 3, side A, "Can't Depend on Love" and "It's Worth Believin'" from "Old Dan's Records". I found that I kept rewinding the tape in order to listen to those two songs over and over. They just go together so well. I finally broke down and made a tape that alternates those two songs for a solid hour. I need help.... IP: Logged |
pcbern
Member
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posted March 13, 2001 11:13
I could not agree more regarding steel rail blues. Any young man who had his heart broken by first love would know..."rid my mind of memories, and star my life again.." quote:
Originally posted by young stranger:
Wow, I just realized how long everyone has kept this topic going. Well, if anyone remembers, my absolute favorite Gord song will always be Carefree Highway. I wrote a rather heartfelt reason for that under another topic. I wanted to say that because I am going to mention another song now. I have quite a few that I absolutely love, as everyone does. These include Song For A Winter's Night, Shadows, and others. But those have been mentioned a lot. One that I haven't seen too many people mention, which surprises me, is Steel Rail Blues. I know it must be on many personal favorites lists, but most have failed to mention it. I love the pace of this song, Gord really got the tempo perfect on this one. I can't really specify too many of the reasons why I like it, mostly because I don't know that much technical info about music. All I know is that this would be one of the songs on my list if I could only have a few with me on a deserted island (uh, oh! sounds like a good subject for a topic). Anyone else feel this way about Steel Rail Blues?
IP: Logged |
Pgh58
Member
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posted March 14, 2001 15:42
It's interesting that most of the favorite songs are not because of the song itself but the memories people have for them. "The Wreck..." reminds me of fall days in my senior year of high school. Going to the park and hanging out with my friends. Later when my girlfriend (now wife) was in Florida and I in Pittsburgh, I'd sit listening to GL's music. "Song for a Winter's Night" took on all new meaning.IP: Logged |
ACGTwo
unregistered
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posted March 14, 2001 23:09
Regarding the post about Steel Rail Blues being about a young
man who had his heart broken by his first love...I think
the words that are quoted, (i.e. "rid my mind of memories,
and start my life again") is from "Sixteen Miles"...which
of course, is another one of my favorite songs....
Sometimes you just gotta get away from "toxic" relationships as
the song suggests is what is going on, but the line I love
in that song is when he talking about where he is going is
"in some hidden valley where the twirling river twines, where the
fish swim up and down, and sparking waters fall, where the thunder
rolls, and the lonely puma calls"--the contrast between
such a fanciful beautiful place with thunder/big cats, and the
big magnamimous nature versus a bad relationship is
so good...It does help that I love the outdoors, and
wide open spaces and wild animals, etc....
Man, he really just hits you...I find my self
visualizing that place...anyway...enough said.IP: Logged |
Amy
unregistered
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posted March 15, 2001 10:54
One of my very favorites is Old Dan's Records. I have a good friend named Dan and he is a collector of Lp's and Its also very uplifting and joyful. A wonderful way for your friends and family to remember you by.I really like it. IP: Logged |
Danny
unregistered
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posted March 17, 2001 21:25
My favourite Gl song is the Circle is Small.May be an odd choice but there's just something about that song. A close second would be Circle of Steel from the Sundown LP.IP: Logged |
Clay
unregistered
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posted March 17, 2001 22:51
It's a toss up between Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald and Dream Street Rose. My father's favorite song is Wreck of E.F. I have listend to GL since I was born and my fondest memories are fishing with dad and listening to Gord. Dad has most of his albums on vinyl and as a kid I remember listening to Dream Street Rose and it has stuck as one of my alltime favorite songs.IP: Logged |
