Great Topic!
It's not very often we get to hear a young recording redone filtered thru age. When we do it can be devistating (that's good.)
I think of Frank Sinatra singing Quarter to Three in his 50s prime, and then hearing it on a special some 15yrs later, and finally live nearing 70. Each season was unique beyond mortal man (sorry Superman,) but the point is he grew into it. And the "weary" that showed made the blood run colder.
Same-same Brother Ray and his final album. Here We Go Again (w/ Norah Jones) and his final two words after "one more time" - "I will" To the bone.
And w/ Willie Nelson (who always sounds the same somehow) a skin n' bones Brother Ray, almost w/ a dying breath, still grabs the notes that the word "shiver" was created for. Weary? Oh, my Lord, what a weary. But Alive.
Gord? A young man sang "The Last Time I Saw Her Face" An old man would not forget such a love. To hear him sing it now would be heartbreakingly, arrow true.
As a persons voice ages and changes you can fake the fast stuff. It's the soft ones where you can't hide. but you don't have to hit all the exact notes either.
Example: The Eyes of Sweet Virginia is one of John Stewarts best ballads. Comes from 82. I hear him sing it live (w/ guitar only) a few months ago. Virginia's Eyes were still haunting. He inverted some of the melody, lowered the key, and brought you to your knees w/ a voice he didn't possess in 82.
I figure the man Gord is today still need Susan's Floor, too. That would be something.
The Rez
. . . looking at the rain
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