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Originally Posted by sunshine

As someone has mentioned before on this site, if one wants to hear the perfect young voice of Gordon Lightfoot, there are always the CD's. But there are many great reasons for attending a Gordon concert in person at this stage of his career. All you have to have is a realistic and non-judgmental spirit. Who among us can perform as well as we did 30 or 40 years ago? But there are also very few who have created the body of work, have command of the lyrics, and can produce the magical, soothing, some would say therapeutic sound that those five performers create on stage. What precision and achievement! I am inspired in my own life by Gordon's willingness to share himself as he is. A lesser man could keep the talent on the down low because it isn't as it once was, but what Gordon is doing now is even better, all the great music plus a lesson in how to adapt, adjust, and accept oneself. I think that persons who are "angered" at what the passage of time can do are reacting out of fear for themselves. It is unfair to compare Gordon to his former self or to any other performer, although even on his worst day, I think the comparison would still be favorable. To come back from serious illness, in good spirits, motivated to work and share himself, to keep his organization and band together year after year, to endure the hardships of the road, . . . I admire the man greatly. Having seen Gordon in Colorado and just last week in Nashville, Gordon still has a lot of performing left to do. It sounds like things didn't go that well in Milwaukee but let's put it in perspective, as an off night or a bad day at work, and not be calling for his premature retirement or "fading away". He still has lots to give, the evenings in the concert halls are still wonderful, and I can't wait to learn more about what is in store for 2008.

Well said. I couldn't agree with you more, you said it with a beautiful eloquence. Next time someone refers to the "vocal changes" I think I shall refer them to this post. Thank you.