The song "If You Could Read my Mind" stole my heart. I consider Gorden Lightfoot my favorite singer songwriter. I am used to getting every album, sheet music book, picture, literally anything related to him.
I had a songbook he had autographed in Eugene, Oregon which was stolen and that bummed me out. But the important thing I have from GL is the inspiration and heart warmth he give me. I also look forward to anytime he is within a thousand miles and I can get away to see him.
Songs I like? I have trouble narrowing it down. What I don't like is a more managable data base in my brain housing group to narrow down to paper. Some of his stuff from "Endless Wire" and a couple of albums of that era had seemed too lounge oriented and had a too heavy drumbeat. "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down," and "The Auctioneer" are not good versions of other people's material and I would have prefered him to publish his songs which we have not heard enough of. I question the premise of the line in "The Canadian Railroad Trilogy" which says "They built the mines, the mills, and the factories for the good of us all." More like they built them to exploit resources and people to make capital and build political punch, so I winch when I hear that.
His stuff he has written in his later years shows he has gotten better at his craft, and I look forward to many more years of him working at it. I salute him for capturing my heart and imagination and holding them so long. I wish I could give him half of what he has given me. "I may not be alone each time I see you, along a street or in a small cafe. But still I won't deny you or mistreat you, baby if you'll let me have my way..."
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