[charlene]

I think Gordon should, in his way, reflect on the lost of small-town hometowns to the monotonous box store sprawl. Gordan should have a particular sore from this devastation because his hometown, Orillia, is currently turning farm fields and forest and wetland to scraped earth and tarmac. But then... once again Gordon observed this decades before it was part of our mainstream consciousness. He depicts the dingy, isolating cold of the city in 'Home from the Forest'.

Posted by: Jennifer Hoare | November 19, 2008 08:09 PM

I'll be 60 in December, so I remember Gordon Lightfoot as being really big. I think that he might consider writing about why people talk about him more than they play his music.

I listen to the show every morning from Detroit(yes, that Detroit), and like it a lot,but it seems to me that a number of songs or artists get played fairly regularly. Are you planning to expand your playlist?
Well, best of luck. Great hat in your picture. I LOVE Molly Johnson's voice.

George Killoran


Posted by: George Killoran | November 20, 2008 06:51 AM

Tom
Here's what I think about what Mr. Lightfoot should be writing/singing about:
It is the task of a child to trip through life in oblivion and wide eyed wonder.
An adolescent's job is to begin the journey of learning.
A teenagers unfortunate role is to be angry .. and sad.
A young adult should be the one to sound the alarms and keep us on track.
A mature adult's role is sadly cynicism and reality.
Midle age is for longing looks back to younger days.
But it's the elder statesman's job to always bring us hope and optimism - to say "I have witnessed much and still have look forward with that same wide eyed wonder I began with ...
And we all must continue to sing about love!

Posted by: Liz McNally | November 20, 2008 10:00 AM

terry, i have tender tears rolling down my chapped wind burnt cheeks from your eloquent thoughts. i have not read and been touched as i just have by your voice and the dentist's voice, these past weeks.

"This is because Canadians are not a particular people from a particular place. They are the embodiment of the human spirit of freedom. Everyone who holds to that spirit, everywhere, can be a Canadian."

terry, i finally have the words of what touched my spirit in 1996 when i first [ i hail from new mexico ] came to reside in alberta, then british columbia. your sharing the words of the australian dentist are my experience.

i am immensely grateful to your comment and insights and would take columns of this post to respond, but alas not a possibility. i am intrigued though [why and how i came back to the post just now, to comment]
that the question posed for joni mitchell's birthday; the response was more fluid in volume. gordon lightfoot's is of a lesser, although the question asked may not be within the humbleness and nobleness of canadian spirit and community to suggest what another, human should consider to actively participate in.

terry you are a gift this day. and it is my truth of my life lived in the great country called canada. for when i resided in the usa, my birth place, i was never considered accomplished, enough. even though i employed 60 fantastic people, bequeathed to my state for children in dire need long term, voluntarily put forward a co-op for struggling artists to live and work. just getting the zoning in place was near a nightmare level, plus the ability of patience of the slow process. luckily i had both.
i am not going to continue the list, for it is not my purpose, but what i want each and every one of you canadians to know with CONVICTION, is that as i have been a part of your community i was honoured to the highest for being a full time mum. and no; canadians NEVER asked "what i did?". that coup de grace all american question.

and if you are just not quite there yet with conviction, i tell you i have resided in western europe, scandinavia and central america. canada is of nurturing spirit like no where else on this planet. please know you are blessed by your birthright.

best and gentlest,
cynthia

Posted by: cynthia | November 20, 2008 12:53 PM

Tom, I'm thrilled that you have chosen this incredibly important Canadian icon as a subject for your blog! Gordon Lightfoot was a comforting sound of Canada as I grew up in NZ; whenever I was homesick I would pull out "Gord's Gold" for a quick fix!
Last month my wonderful boyfriend took me to the Canyon Club in Agoura Hills, CA, to see Gord for my birthday. I only cried 3 times! Gord, if you're reading this, I am NOT the woman who shouted "You're awesome and I love you!", but I AM the one who shouted "Come to Vancouver!!!"; and you listened! We'll be in the 12th row when you play here in April!
Gord, the songs that I love most are those that represent Canada, and those that touch my heart as they tell tales of lost love or homesickness. These are themes that almost anyone can relate to!
In this day and age so many people are dislocated from their loved ones, whether by travel or family reconfigurations; I would love it if you wrote about the struggles and successes of split families or blended families. At the Canyon Club when you mentioned your "first old lady" and your "second old lady" it really brought home the fact that we all have a past, and even if our initial attempts at happiness didn't succeed, they helped to make us who we are! And I'm happy with my life (especially since you're coming to town! You're AWESOME and I love you!!)!
Thanks for listening! Shan

Posted by: Shan | November 20, 2008 01:05 PM

Hi Mr.Tom, Last night I had a thought about a great artist for parents & kids to agree on: Buck 65! I can't vouch for this, except to say that "the kids these days" are naturally inclined towards hip hop. It is the pop music of today, and so they are very capable of listening to it. This his much more difficult for most parents, though, not least of all because the subject matter is often not of interest. Buck 65, however, should inspire interest in any intelligent soul who enjoys good stories and impressive word-play! So..what do you think? Maybe you should play some Buck 65 on your show, and see what people think!


Posted by: marke | November 21, 2008 10:07 AM

Happy Birthday Gordon Lightfoot! In my opinion Gordon has well earned the right to compose whatever he pleases! I have especially enjoyed Gordon’s description of the Canadian landscape. If I were to suggest a theme for a song it would be the tumultuous times we live in; the great economical and political changes we are experiencing in North America contrasted to the unwavering beautiful terrain of Canada.
I had the opportunity of meeting you Gordon some thirty years ago. You were playing in Vancouver and I called The Okanogan Valley my home. A mutual friend, a canoe buddy of yours, introduced a small group of his friends to you back stage. Time flies by in a blink of an eye. I look back at the Canadian Pacific North West as a place where my soul was at home. Thank you Gordon for entertaining us all with your lyrics that have dipped into your soulful heart and the landscape of Canada, from the skyline of Toronto, with the chinook wind blowing us through to the wild majestic mountains that stood alone against the sun. Do what gives you happiness.

All the best,
Nancy Cullen


Posted by: Nancy Cullen | November 21, 2008 06:58 PM

Gordon Lightfoot has not only framed the Canadian experience in his lyrics, but I think he has been a significant influence in defining what it means to be Canadian and has succeeded in getting that message out as he performed his wonderful music around the world. If however, there is yet a stone unturned, it may to get the rest of the world to accept once and for all, the name of that hat is toque.
Thank you Gordon, and happy birthday.

Posted by: Ros Bangham | November 22, 2008 05:48 PM

Gordon Lightfoot should, if he is so inclined, write about the natural beauty of Canada, possibly the National Parks, closer to home, Killarney Provincial Park where the Group of Seven painted in the last century.
Happy Birthday, Gordon Lightfoot

Posted by: Rob Zettler | November 28, 2008 10:04 AM