Gordon Lightfoot Forums - View Single Post

01-31-2003, 03:58 PM

I remember hearing years ago in I think a radio interview someone who knew Gordon mention some kind of vocal paralysis in the late 70's or early 80's as the explanation for the change in vocal quality. I don't remember the exact term they used, or even who it was that was interviewed, but I had just bought "East of Midnight" after not having listened to him for a number of years and I remember being surprised by the change. I don't know how much truth there was to what was said though, or if it's ever been mentioned anywhere else.

And for anyone who cares, it's currently 62 degrees at 7,600 feet in Southern California without a snow storm in sight.

quote:Originally posted by closetcanadian:
The Albany concert certainly shows how weak, thin, and tired Lightfoot's voice has become in the last few years. Gwen, like you I became sad hearing him strain so hard to reach notes that once were so effortless. I have loved GL's music for over thirty years and it is hard to accept he is now only a shadow of the singer he once was.

It's curious that some singers age better than others. James Taylor is about ten years younger than Gord but his voice seems to be improving with age. He sounds better now than when he first started recording in the early 70's. Tony Bennett still has fabulous "pipes" and he is in his early 70s!

Watchman, I agree completely with your assessment that Lightfoot's voice has taken a lot of abuse over the years. 50 years of cigarette smoking coupled with over 40 years of singing on stage have exacted a severe toll on his vocal register. Spending months in a hospital ICU with a tube snaked down his nose and throat cannot have helped the situation. I don't mean to sound too negative as I still love the man's music but I find it hard to listen to his current voice. I expect I may get "flamed" for saying that so let me close by saying I hope Gordon makes a complete recovery, returns to the stage, and proves me wrong! Nothing would make me happier!

Best regards,
closetcanadian

------------------
What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us.

--R.W. Emerson

01-31-2003, 03:58 PM	#26
violet Blue Horse Guest Posts: n/a	I remember hearing years ago in I think a radio interview someone who knew Gordon mention some kind of vocal paralysis in the late 70's or early 80's as the explanation for the change in vocal quality. I don't remember the exact term they used, or even who it was that was interviewed, but I had just bought "East of Midnight" after not having listened to him for a number of years and I remember being surprised by the change. I don't know how much truth there was to what was said though, or if it's ever been mentioned anywhere else. And for anyone who cares, it's currently 62 degrees at 7,600 feet in Southern California without a snow storm in sight. quote:Originally posted by closetcanadian: The Albany concert certainly shows how weak, thin, and tired Lightfoot's voice has become in the last few years. Gwen, like you I became sad hearing him strain so hard to reach notes that once were so effortless. I have loved GL's music for over thirty years and it is hard to accept he is now only a shadow of the singer he once was. It's curious that some singers age better than others. James Taylor is about ten years younger than Gord but his voice seems to be improving with age. He sounds better now than when he first started recording in the early 70's. Tony Bennett still has fabulous "pipes" and he is in his early 70s! Watchman, I agree completely with your assessment that Lightfoot's voice has taken a lot of abuse over the years. 50 years of cigarette smoking coupled with over 40 years of singing on stage have exacted a severe toll on his vocal register. Spending months in a hospital ICU with a tube snaked down his nose and throat cannot have helped the situation. I don't mean to sound too negative as I still love the man's music but I find it hard to listen to his current voice. I expect I may get "flamed" for saying that so let me close by saying I hope Gordon makes a complete recovery, returns to the stage, and proves me wrong! Nothing would make me happier! Best regards, closetcanadian ------------------ What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us. --R.W. Emerson