How about this for a possibility....Gord's lifestyle back in the 70's and early 80's
artifically made his voice deeper, huskier,
in essence, he was abusing it. After he cut down smoking (I dont think he ever stopped),
and downing all that whiskey, and he generally got healthier and became something of a workout addict, his voice kind of went back to where it would have been all along, if it hadn't been abused. Yes, I can hear some straining and faltering in parts of Painter...but he gets thru "Much to My Suprise" unscathed, and "On Younge Street" sounds effortless, so he still has it in him..but of course, in the recording studio, if he's having a bad voice day..he'll just wait for another day. It doesn't matter to me, I have always enjoyed his diction, the way he attacks words...on words that end in an "s" he leaves a certain gap between the rest of the word and the "s", you all know what I mean. That is what is unique to him, moreso than what tones and overtones his vocal chords can provide. Frank Sinatra, it is said was in his vocal prime in his 50's, kept going thru his 60's, and then things fell apart between 68 and 70 or so...he really abused his body when he was younger.
Gord will change his singing, writing, and performing to suit his aging body...but he'll be around...I just hope he gets a Kennedy Center Honor before the good Lord calls him home! That would be very cool. They
just announced that Paul McCartney will get one to be televised in Dec....you dont have to be an American to receive one.
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