posted November 02, 2001 16:29           

Gord is very good with the topical songs, such as Don Quixote, Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, etc. Those are among his favorites. Did you know that "Heaven Help the Devil" was written about the Ayatollah and the American hostages that were taken in Iran in 1979? It could also be applied to the situation today with Bin Laden.

posted November 08, 2001 22:58           

I had heard of Gordon Lightfoot in the 1960s as a singer from Canada but had never heard any of his music until I watched the Johnny Cash TV show in 1969. Cash had a weekly segment called 'Ride This Train' where he sang songs about trains and sometimes introduced guests who sang the same types of songs. He introduced Gordon Lightfoot as a singer from Canada that would sing his song 'Canadian Railroad Trilogy'.

Lighfoot performed the song sitting in front of a large 3D type of movie screen that wrapped around the stage behind him. The movie screen displayed a film of workers building a railroad thru a wilderness. It was stunning. You could actually see the workers 'swinging their hammers' just like in the song.

I will always remember being mesmerized by this great song and the film shown in the background. If anyone can get a copy of the tape of this show, it would be priceless to any Lightfoot fan.

The song itself is a lyrical, melodic, and harmonic masterpiece that provokes much visualization.

posted November 17, 2001 05:00            

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Originally posted by Kenton:
Gordon Lightfoot has so many good tunes that I could never pick one but among my guitar playing friends Steel Rail Blues is pretty much on everybodys list. I mean the original version not the one on Gord's Gold. A lot of players like Alberta Bound also.I've always enjoyed Redwood Hill, Brave Mountaineers and 10 Degrees and Gettin Colder to play on guitar. I was very ill one winter and confined to bed for 10 days the only thing I could do was listen to a radio. I was 14 years old at the time . A local station played If You Could Read My Mind a couple of times a day and that was a time I looked forward to and I forgot about my pain for those few minutes when that song played. That was my inroduction to Gordon Lightfoot.Christian Island is another one of those songs that takes me away to another place and paints pictures in my mind so srongly that I feel transported to the place Gord is singing about and I'm onboard ship with him sailing down the western wind and liking the mood I'm in. Brave Mountaineers makes me feel like a young boy again and the scenes Gordon describes are very much like my own childhood. The run of great albulms from Summer Side Of Life,Don Q.,Old Dan's,and Sundown is so strong that few other singer-songwriters come close except fellow Canadiens Neil Young and Joni Mitchell and the great body of work Elton John put together in the 70's and Bob Dylans run in the 60's. Gordon Lightfoot is truly one of the greatest as singer,songwriter,performer and what a natural God given voice! I saw many concerts in the 70's at the Syria Mosque in Pittsburgh, Pa. but my favorite was 75 or 76 I can't remember for sure. I think it was the tour to promote Cold On The Shoulder and I witnessed something at Gord's show that I had never seen before. During any show the police or security guards would look bored out of their minds or dead serious about being the authority figures in charge. At that show I actually saw them listen and respond to Gordon Lightfoot like he was their grandson stopping by to sing a few tunes. They were just mesmerized by his performance as we all were. I remember telling my friends that it felt like we were all in this big living room and Gordon was giving a private concert to some old friends. I guess that's what it was. I remember a fan had done an oil painting on a huge canvass and presented to Gordon during the show. Also,Gordon brought his daughter out to sit on the piano bench with him while he sang Fine As Fine Can Be to her. It seemed like she was about 10 years old at the time but my memory might be off there. What I do remember is it was my favorite Syria Mosque show. They tore down the Mosque some years ago but they're not getting that show from me, I'm gonna carry that one with me till I'm tore down. It's the Same Old Loverman signing off for now. I could go on and on about the man and his music but so could you so I'll Go My Way.

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posted December 01, 2001 09:58         

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Originally posted by Capt Bob:
I like this site. I just moved from Florida to Minnesota and one of my inspirations to move here was "Song for a Winter"s Night". My wife and I are building a cabin, on the shores of Gitche Gumme, and the first song played will be just that. I know anyone on this website are big fans of Mr. Lightfoot, but I'm not sure how much some of you realize how huge this songwriter is. As humble as our hero is, there are many of his contemporaries who consider him the best songwriter of all time. How many songs were written by Misters Lennon and McCartney, in fact, how many by Mister Bob Zimmerman? OBviously a bunch but, I believe Gord has written at least as many and as us true believers KNOW.Who has done this with the heart, the passion,the honest courage, and truly the voice that came from you and me. I hope you all understand how lucky we are and I would hope you will frequent his tour dates. I hope to see Mr. Lightfoot up here in the frozen North soon. from a hero who often fails... Capt. Bob

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posted December 31, 2001 07:58           

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Originally posted by Steve R:
My favorite Gordon Lightfoot song was one that wasn't written by him. But no one has covered "Me & Bobby McGee" better than Gordon Lightfoot did. Not even Janis Joplin's cover surpasses Lightfoot's rendition of Kris Kristoffserson's country classic. Check it out on the "Sit Down Young Stranger" album. I also Don Quixote--one of the first songs I learned to play on the guitar. Great song!

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posted January 03, 2002 21:39            

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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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I've been avoiding this one, however, since it's the New Year, here are a few (rather few) of what can be considered favorites:
A Lesson In Love Affair on 8th Avenue
Can't Depend on Love Christian Island
Dreamland Home From the Forest
If Children Had Wings I'm Not Suppose to Care
It's Worth Believin' Lazy Morning
Mother of A Miner's Child Never Too Close
Ode to Big Blue Ordinary Man
Patriot's Dream Saturday Clothes
Sit Down Young Stranger Softly
Tattoo That Same Old Obsession
Too Late for Prayin' You Are What I Am
Your Love's Return Watchman's Gone

posted February 19, 2002 19:53           

I had a passing infatuation with "Ring-Necked Loon" but have always loved the mid-to-late seventies stuff the best. It's hard to say that Sundown is not my favorite since I fell in love with that song harder than for any girl up to that point in my young life.

Right now I'd have to say that it's a toss-up among Sixteen Miles, Farewell to Annabel, She's Not the Same, Hiway Songs. Choose one?

OK,OK! Sixteen Miles!

"Somewhere in the wilderness I'll build a cabin small, then forget so I won't remember you at all"

posted March 22, 2002 15:49         

I hate to have to name a favorite. There are just too many perfect songs.

posted April 25, 2002 16:38            

Hi-Way song is a great travelling song. East of Midnight is another good one as well. I'll make good note of these suggestions as I drive about 3500 miles per month for work. All up and down the New England states and coast, so without Lightfoot, the travel would be booorrrring!

posted May 02, 2002 20:29            

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Originally posted by djgettys:
Is there a better driving song that Alberta Bound?

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posted May 08, 2002 19:36            

"Restless" reminds me of those times and brings back memories just like they were yesterday. But there is a feeling that I can only describe as homesick, that stirs underneath. Life is full of changes...some for the better, some not. This song reminds me of all the good times we have had together and of a way of life that used to be. My job keeps me away from home for 3 weeks per month is not conducive to any kind of family life. Up until two years ago, my Dad, brother and I hung out everyday. All of our jobs don't allow that anymore.

posted May 10, 2002 23:04            

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Originally posted by girl monkey:
When I was very little my mother would sing The Ponyman to me, and it has always been one of my favorite songs of all time. I hear it and feel very comforted. I probably wouldn't even know who Gordon Lightfoot was if I didn't know that song.
Now I'm a mother too, and my little baby boy lights up when he hears The Ponyman.

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