Hi STK,
Wanted to let you know I feel the same. The golden voice is really gone- but the golden man is still with us, which is cool. I think one should be aware that gord is in a possition where he once was a mega star, and now mainly remembered by loyal fans.
This means that legends like him have either all-fans (hardcore fans) or no-fans, who may simply not know him. I've read all the postings here, and man- what people will say to convince themselves the voice is still arround. Here are only some excuses for the unsetisfying voice and performences : new tour, new night, new croud, voice wasn't warmed up, microphone problems, sound mix, off night, off key, was getting over a lingering head cold...
Anyway, all-fans here will say that if you don't like the voice (which frankly is nasal and long gone) you don't have a clue, if if you really love everything the man does, then you hit the nail.
Someone claimed here that it is "painfull" to listen to gord these days (these days being about two decades) while another fan said we should just lower our expectations. To tell you the truth STK, I think most hardcore fans here would be just content with seeing gord on stage going through he motions (he doesn't really have to sing)- as one fan here put it: the standard of performance ...isn't that important...the fact you were there in the same hall as the man himself is.
So- if you want to hear the golden voice- get Lightfoot 60s & 70s cd's. Want to hear a great live show? get "Sunday concert", want to hear a great contemporary live show? go somewhere else. And yes- there are great performers from the golden days that did take good care of their voice (someone here mentioned Peter, Paul and Marry- yes they are bald and put on a few pounds, yet the voices are mainly there and they still put up a worthy act).
It isn't a question whether Lightfoot lost his voice- it's a fact (smoking, drinking- what ever). It is really a straining experience to listen to him now (live or on cd).
The hardcore fans here won't acknowledge this- I guess being such a hardcore fan is like being in love, one is in love with the performer, and as in love, it is blind.
I guess this makes STK and myself Lightfoot fans (as opposed to hardcore fans), but if listening to "Now And Then", the two of us can't be wrong...
Salute
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