[Gitchigumee]

I wanted to share one last thing with you on this topic, before letting (at least me) give it a rest. Here's a portion of the article in the promotional pamphlet for Riverside Concerts/Mayo Civic Center of Rochester, Minnesota. A lot of it is stuff we all know, but other parts are very perceptive and thoughtful writing on behalf of the author. Oh what the heck, here's the whole thing (I've bolded parts which I thought were particularly good):


"Gordon Lightfoot was born on November 17, 1938, in Orillia, Ontario, Canada. [/B]; his first appearance at Massey Hall in Toronto, now a revered standard in his tour schedule, was just before hHis parents recognized and encouraged his interest in musice turned 13, as the winner of a competition for boys with unchanged voices.[/B]

After a background in barbershop quartets, and as a member of a duo, Lightfoot struck out on his own in the early 60s. He had written perhaps 75 songs, when he was caught up in the country music scene and folk revival of the time; Bob Dylan's music and a song by Merle Travis, "Dark As A Dungeon," combined with his sensitivity, inventiveness and beautiful voice, resulted in his unique songwriting and singing style. In less than two years, between late '61 and some time in 1963, his sound and his life changed forever.

Gordon Lightfoot first began to gain recognition in the mid-'60s as a songwriting when his compositions "For Lovin' Me" and "Early Morning Rain" became hits for Peter, Paul & Mary, and Marty Robbins topped the country charts with "Ribbon of Darkness." Lightfoot's own style was understated, his tasteful folk arrangements topped by a gentle burr of a voice. His albums began to appear in 1966, but it was not until the start of the '70s that he became a big success as a performer, scoring in 1970 with Sit Down Young Stranger, which contained his hit "If You Could Read My Mind," a song with the typically flowing melodic line and genty poetic lyrics.

Gordon Lightfoot is the author and voice of these and many other timeless songs: "Early Morning Rain," "Canadian Railroad Trilogy," "Sundown," "If You Could Read My Mind," "Carefree Highway," "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald," "Beautiful," "Ribbon of Darkness," "Rainy Day People," "That's What You Get for Lovin' Me," "Did She Mention My Name," "I'm Not Sayin' That I Love You," "Race Among the Ruins," "Softly," "Song For a Winter's Night," "Summer Side of Life"...

Gordon Lightfoot has five Grammy nominations and 17 Juno Awards in his native Canada. In November 1997 he was presented the Governor General's Award--the highest official Canadian honor, which is conferred on very few, for their international efforts in spreading Canadian culture. Gordon was also honored as a charter member of Canada's Walk of Fame and most recently was elevated to the "companion" of the Order of Canada (highest level) in December. Lightfoot also was just inducted into The Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame. Six of his albums have gone "gold" or higher in the US, the most recent of which was Gord's Gold Volume 2 which was certified gold in September 2001.

Artists who have recorded Lightfoot's songs include Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, Sarah McLachlan, Barbra Streisand, Peter, Paul & Mary, Harry Belafonte, Jane's Addiction, Richie Havens, Glen Campbell, Anne Murray, Nana Mouskouri and George Hamilton IV.

All of this discussion is mostly about the music, always beautiful, inventive, and performed with perfection at every concert appearance - a tribute to his fine backup band as well as to Lightfoot himself But it is perhaps his lyrics, and the combination of his words and music, that set him apart from all the others. What is unique about Lightfoot is that he appears to have heightened senses; he sees, hears and feels things that most of us don't; and then he can create the music and lyrics to help us see, hear and feel what he does. Whether it is a love song, or a song of lost love, a historical balad - which he writes like no other songwriter of the last half-century - or a highly personal song, what he says and how he says it leaves a lasting and often evolving impression as the listener uncovers new layers of meaning in the song.

His legacy is thankfully still being written, as he continues to write and to tour. In a career spanning more than 35 years, he has recorded over 200 songs, and written many more. He has influence the sound of other highy successful artists who have credited him as a major influence (for example, Dan Fogelberg, Jimmy Buffett, Jim Croce and Ron Sexsmith). If you only know Lightfoot for his hits, then you are missing a lot of the treasures. If you like music, just about any style, you are sure to find a favorite song among the many he has written and recorded."

"Canadian Railroad Trilogy is an extremely fine piece of songwriting." - Johnny Cash

"Gordon Lightfoot; every time I hear a song of his, it's like I wish it would last forever."
- Bob Dylan