This old psychadelic rocker was a "closet" Lightfoot fan from the '60's. His songs have always caught my ear although I cannot claim to have followed his career from 'day one'.
I love most musical formats although RAP always seems to bring me physical pain and mental anguish. Mozart may touch me most deeply yet should I listen only to his works to the exclusion of Bach, Wagner, Tchaikovsky and the like. I grew up with the 'Beatles','Iron Butterfly', 'Deep Purple', 'The Doors' and 'Mountain' just to mention a very few.
Was I cheating on Gord? (of course not!)
Always having been aware of Gord's magic, I suppose the first album I bought was 1970's 'The
Best Of Gordon Lightfoot. Couldn't let my 'Yes' and 'King Crimson' fans find out!
Even in my childhood I fell in love with the rugged Canadian northland with it's granite backbone pushing through the sparse soil like the knees through some teenager's jeans. Miles and miles of lakes framed by trees of every colour and discription. The cry of the loon as the rising sun attempted to burn off the morning mist. The beauty, the solitude!
In later years the natural progression of the love affair with my country lead to wildermess canoeing. Other than the "song of the paddle" what better soundtrack to this adventure existed than Gordon's heartfelt compositions.
For years I felt that the songs were written exclusively for me and this land!
Ashamed to admit that the next album I got around to buying was 1976's 'Summertime Dream'. I was staying at a friend's apartmetent in Toronto and saw it at "Sam The Record Man" on Yonge Street while "doing the town" the evening before. I was up before dawn and while the other revelers slept, I took the subway back down to "record haven" and walked out with my celophane sealed treasure.
After that there was no turning back and in "record time" I aquired what I believe to be every 33.5 rpm vinyl ever pressed with Gord's name emblazoned on it. (K-Tel included)
With the internet, I was shocked to find that there were others that were as deeply touched by
Gordon's magical gift. How could that be?? He is mine, all mine!! I always have claimed that Lightfoot'ts music is the soundtrack to my life.
But mingling with the internet people, cautiously at first, showed me that Love for Gord has no bounds as his music has no barriers. It exists for all to share and enjoy!...and what wonderful people I have met through this group!
We ARE a family, a family by choice and not bound by papers and legalities. We are not bound by age, race, political fanatacisms, nationality or any other such incumberance.
We care for the environment although we are not "tree huggers". We love our respective countries yet respect the nations we all originate from. We all admire Gord, yet he doesn't have to fear stalkers. Without any intention of lecturing us, he has educated us all. We are all better people for inviting Gord into our lives.
Hokey as it sounds, I feel that having bent over the side of my canoe and taking a long cool drink of water straight from a remote Canadian river, that water has entered my cells and in some way that river has become a part of me for all time. (perhaps there is a Native-American rationalization for such beliefs?)
In an analagous way, Gord's music has resonated throughout my soul and is part of me in no less a way than my blood and cells are. When I spin my last disk, play my last CD, decode my final MP3 etc., a part of Gord will be laid to rest with me for all of eternity, and I find that very, very omforting.
The understanding, love and respect woven through his songs has been instilled in all of us. Humbly, this group simply mirrors the gift he has given all of us, to shine back on himself.
My initial jealously in realizing that I had to share Gord's music with others has turned to joy.
The analysis, insights, discussions expressed here are a delight to share in. Priceless!
What has touched me to a depth that I cannot even begin to explain is the love, concern, prayers and well wishes I received from "Corfidians" from all over this globe during my life altering illness.
Gord was always loaded into my 'Walkman'for emotional support. The 'Get Well' cards and e-mail printouts my wife brought to my bedside with your support were invaliable in my continuing recovery. (they reside in a dedicated album to their honour)
Can anyone here imagine life without Gordon or our Corfid family??? I can't!
(p.s. My closest friend recently told me he's been a Lightfoot fan for years. Think of all the talks we could have had! Then, suprise of suprises, he finally got up the courage to reveal to me that even during those wonderful "British Invasion" years, he was a closet Frank Sinatra fan.
Face your fears - you'll find you'll have more company than cold isloation.)
Yuri
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