Interesting topic. I idolized Lightfoot in my youth. Personally, I think what made him so unique was that not only was he an incredible songwriter but he also was one of the all time great singers, a rare combination.
I kept up with his music through Shadows but once I got married and had kids I sorta found I did not have as much time to keep up with him, John Stewart, John Prine and all the rest of the great songwriters.
The first time I noticed the change in GL's voice was when I got a cassette of Gord'Gold II. I think the reason it stands out so much is because he redid all those classics like "Alberta Bound", "Pony Man","Christian Island" and it just invited comparisons to his originals.
While it's true that voices are altered over the years the change that occured to Lightfoot's was pretty extreme, much more so than Ray Charles or Sinatra or any I can think of.
Please don't thing I'm being critical, It's just that the guys voice was so awesome it's hard to hear it be otherwise. The first time I heard "A Painter Passing Through" I felt kinda sad. I'm sorry, but to be truthful it's just not a very pleasing voice to listen to. Still I listen.
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