I remember hearing years ago in I think a radio interview someone who knew Gordon mention some kind of vocal paralysis in the late 70's or early 80's as the explanation for the change in vocal quality. I don't remember the exact term they used, or even who it was that was interviewed, but I had just bought "East of Midnight" after not having listened to him for a number of years and I remember being surprised by the change. I don't know how much truth there was to what was said though, or if it's ever been mentioned anywhere else.

And for anyone who cares, it's currently 62 degrees at 7,600 feet in Southern California without a snow storm in sight.


quote:Originally posted by closetcanadian:
The Albany concert certainly shows how weak, thin, and tired Lightfoot's voice has become in the last few years. Gwen, like you I became sad hearing him strain so hard to reach notes that once were so effortless. I have loved GL's music for over thirty years and it is hard to accept he is now only a shadow of the singer he once was.

It's curious that some singers age better than others. James Taylor is about ten years younger than Gord but his voice seems to be improving with age. He sounds better now than when he first started recording in the early 70's. Tony Bennett still has fabulous "pipes" and he is in his early 70s!

Watchman, I agree completely with your assessment that Lightfoot's voice has taken a lot of abuse over the years. 50 years of cigarette smoking coupled with over 40 years of singing on stage have exacted a severe toll on his vocal register. Spending months in a hospital ICU with a tube snaked down his nose and throat cannot have helped the situation. I don't mean to sound too negative as I still love the man's music but I find it hard to listen to his current voice. I expect I may get "flamed" for saying that so let me close by saying I hope Gordon makes a complete recovery, returns to the stage, and proves me wrong! Nothing would make me happier!

Best regards,
closetcanadian





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What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us.

--R.W. Emerson

I remember hearing years ago in I think a radio interview someone who knew Gordon mention some kind of vocal paralysis in the late 70's or early 80's as the explanation for the change in vocal quality. I don't remember the exact term they used, or even who it was that was interviewed, but I had just bought "East of Midnight" after not having listened to him for a number of years and I remember being surprised by the change. I don't know how much truth there was to what was said though, or if it's ever been mentioned anywhere else.

And for anyone who cares, it's currently 62 degrees at 7,600 feet in Southern California without a snow storm in sight.


quote:Originally posted by closetcanadian:
The Albany concert certainly shows how weak, thin, and tired Lightfoot's voice has become in the last few years. Gwen, like you I became sad hearing him strain so hard to reach notes that once were so effortless. I have loved GL's music for over thirty years and it is hard to accept he is now only a shadow of the singer he once was.

It's curious that some singers age better than others. James Taylor is about ten years younger than Gord but his voice seems to be improving with age. He sounds better now than when he first started recording in the early 70's. Tony Bennett still has fabulous "pipes" and he is in his early 70s!

Watchman, I agree completely with your assessment that Lightfoot's voice has taken a lot of abuse over the years. 50 years of cigarette smoking coupled with over 40 years of singing on stage have exacted a severe toll on his vocal register. Spending months in a hospital ICU with a tube snaked down his nose and throat cannot have helped the situation. I don't mean to sound too negative as I still love the man's music but I find it hard to listen to his current voice. I expect I may get "flamed" for saying that so let me close by saying I hope Gordon makes a complete recovery, returns to the stage, and proves me wrong! Nothing would make me happier!

Best regards,
closetcanadian





------------------
What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us.

--R.W. Emerson

Oma,

Yes, Gord had Bell's Palsy. He'd had minor symptoms for a while before it developed full-blown during a Massey Hall performance (in 1971, I think). He finished the concert thanks to some quick cortisone injections during intermission to quell the immediate inflammation but it took a (comparatively) long time for it to subside. BP can last from a few weeks to a year, usually clearing in about 3 months. He may possibly still have some very minor lack of feeling on the afflicted side (left) - it's not something he talks about one way or another. I don't remember hearing about any vocal paralysis in his case. It happens rarely; in regular BP there are problems of mouth/throat dryness and articulation of words. It can recur, too; about 7% get two or more attacks, usually at 10 year intervals. Cause is usually uncertain, and is generally ascribed to a virus.

Oma,

Yes, Gord had Bell's Palsy. He'd had minor symptoms for a while before it developed full-blown during a Massey Hall performance (in 1971, I think). He finished the concert thanks to some quick cortisone injections during intermission to quell the immediate inflammation but it took a (comparatively) long time for it to subside. BP can last from a few weeks to a year, usually clearing in about 3 months. He may possibly still have some very minor lack of feeling on the afflicted side (left) - it's not something he talks about one way or another. I don't remember hearing about any vocal paralysis in his case. It happens rarely; in regular BP there are problems of mouth/throat dryness and articulation of words. It can recur, too; about 7% get two or more attacks, usually at 10 year intervals. Cause is usually uncertain, and is generally ascribed to a virus.

violet,

I'm a SoCa resident as well but I'm a flatlander residing in Whittier. If you're at an elevation of 7600', I'm guessing you must live in the San Bernardino Mountains? I think you made other posters a tad jealous when you mentioned our weather! It's 11 PM as I'm writing this and it is still 65 degrees outside. Your local ski resort operators must be singing the blues!

P.S. Great signature quote by Emerson!

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"be calm in the face of all common disgraces...and know what they're doin' it for..."

Yep, Big Bear. I don't mind flatlanders, as long as they stay on the flatlands, LOL. Seriously, you're free to visit here any weekday, but the weekend crowds are a bit much. Ye'all got a difference sense of time down there too. It's kinda fun to go to a fast food joint here on a weekend and watch your idea of fast food and our idea of fast food collide.

The ski resorts are a little PO'd about the snow or lack there of. They were hoping for a big winter with El Nino rearing it's head, but I guess it's not to be.

quote:Originally posted by closetcanadian:
violet,

I'm a SoCa resident as well but I'm a flatlander residing in Whittier. If you're at an elevation of 7600', I'm guessing you must live in the San Bernardino Mountains? I think you made other posters a tad jealous when you mentioned our weather! It's 11 PM as I'm writing this and it is still 65 degrees outside. Your local ski resort operators must be singing the blues!

P.S. Great signature quote by Emerson!





------------------
What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us.

--R.W. Emerson

Yep, Big Bear. I don't mind flatlanders, as long as they stay on the flatlands, LOL. Seriously, you're free to visit here any weekday, but the weekend crowds are a bit much. Ye'all got a difference sense of time down there too. It's kinda fun to go to a fast food joint here on a weekend and watch your idea of fast food and our idea of fast food collide.

The ski resorts are a little PO'd about the snow or lack there of. They were hoping for a big winter with El Nino rearing it's head, but I guess it's not to be.

quote:Originally posted by closetcanadian:
violet,

I'm a SoCa resident as well but I'm a flatlander residing in Whittier. If you're at an elevation of 7600', I'm guessing you must live in the San Bernardino Mountains? I think you made other posters a tad jealous when you mentioned our weather! It's 11 PM as I'm writing this and it is still 65 degrees outside. Your local ski resort operators must be singing the blues!

P.S. Great signature quote by Emerson!





------------------
What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us.

--R.W. Emerson

I'm not a voice therapist or anything like that, but it does seem that Gord's voice took quite a hit beteen April, 2000 when the Live in Reno concert was taped and the April,2002 concert in Albany. Altho, his speaking voice, to me, sounded just the same as it has for a long, long time. I'm hoping that he does take the entire year of 2003 off and sees the best throat doctor in Toronto or wherever..perhaps vocal rehab is a possibility. I know he would like to keep performing, and wants to get at least one more album recorded. Those of you who followed George Harrison's solo career might remember the sad state of his voice on the "Dark Horse" album from '74. I've read that after that he sought medical help and therapy, and I think a couple of benign nodes were removed from his vocal chords. He was back in fine shape for the "Cloud Nine" album and even tho he was sick, his voice on
"Brainwashed" sounded even younger. So I think that if Gord seeks the proper help, and finally stops with the cigarettes, he may
regain his voice at least to the "Reno" level.

I'm not a voice therapist or anything like that, but it does seem that Gord's voice took quite a hit beteen April, 2000 when the Live in Reno concert was taped and the April,2002 concert in Albany. Altho, his speaking voice, to me, sounded just the same as it has for a long, long time. I'm hoping that he does take the entire year of 2003 off and sees the best throat doctor in Toronto or wherever..perhaps vocal rehab is a possibility. I know he would like to keep performing, and wants to get at least one more album recorded. Those of you who followed George Harrison's solo career might remember the sad state of his voice on the "Dark Horse" album from '74. I've read that after that he sought medical help and therapy, and I think a couple of benign nodes were removed from his vocal chords. He was back in fine shape for the "Cloud Nine" album and even tho he was sick, his voice on
"Brainwashed" sounded even younger. So I think that if Gord seeks the proper help, and finally stops with the cigarettes, he may
regain his voice at least to the "Reno" level.

I think one thing that some of us re forgeting is that the Reno concert was professionally, and leagally recorded. Sound engineers spent a few days making sure that they captured the best sound they could.
The Albany concert you are talking about is a bootleg, illegal, audience recording. I was at that concert, and everyone was searched for cameras and recording devices.

So, for anyone to record that concert, they had to sneak in a small recording device, and then stow it somewhere where it couldn't be seen. Not the best scenario for any recording. I know in person his voice sounded just fine to me, and he was in an exceptionally good mood that night. I doubt that comes across in this recording.

That said, I don't think the Albany bootleg you are talking about is a fair comparison, sort of like apples and oranges. Just an observation, not a critisim of the talk that has been going on here at all.

I know all of us that lurk and post here will take Gords' voice in any size, shape or form, especially after this last year.

Jenney

I think one thing that some of us re forgeting is that the Reno concert was professionally, and leagally recorded. Sound engineers spent a few days making sure that they captured the best sound they could.
The Albany concert you are talking about is a bootleg, illegal, audience recording. I was at that concert, and everyone was searched for cameras and recording devices.

So, for anyone to record that concert, they had to sneak in a small recording device, and then stow it somewhere where it couldn't be seen. Not the best scenario for any recording. I know in person his voice sounded just fine to me, and he was in an exceptionally good mood that night. I doubt that comes across in this recording.

That said, I don't think the Albany bootleg you are talking about is a fair comparison, sort of like apples and oranges. Just an observation, not a critisim of the talk that has been going on here at all.

I know all of us that lurk and post here will take Gords' voice in any size, shape or form, especially after this last year.

Jenney

Duly noted. It just sounds like the recording was "real-time" without enhancements...I have some recording experience...even tho you can hear some audience comments and localized handclaps, the "feed" sounds awfully pure. But if you were there, then I will aquiesce. I'm on Gord's side, I want him to keep recording/performing well into his 70's!

Duly noted. It just sounds like the recording was "real-time" without enhancements...I have some recording experience...even tho you can hear some audience comments and localized handclaps, the "feed" sounds awfully pure. But if you were there, then I will aquiesce. I'm on Gord's side, I want him to keep recording/performing well into his 70's!

quote:Originally posted by Jenney:
I know in person his voice sounded just fine to me, and he was in an exceptionally good mood that night. I doubt that comes across in this recording.

But it does, it does. I can hear the great joy he has in performing - one of the highlights for me.

[This message has been edited by Auburn Annie (edited February 02, 2003).]

quote:Originally posted by Jenney:
I know in person his voice sounded just fine to me, and he was in an exceptionally good mood that night. I doubt that comes across in this recording.

But it does, it does. I can hear the great joy he has in performing - one of the highlights for me.

[This message has been edited by Auburn Annie (edited February 02, 2003).]