Best Vocals?

[joveski]

which ONE song do you think has gords best vocals on it?

I'll go for:

A Passing Ship

[gwen snyder]

just a little unfair here aren't we?
I could never pick a single song, his
music is so alive in every song I would be hard pressed to chose 1 with a best anything...sorry
GSS

[TheWatchman]

If I had to pick just one song I would pick it because it shows Lightoot's vocal range at it's best. The lower range mixed with those powerful, trademark mids are what put Lightfoot on the map as well as made him known throughout the world as having one of the greatest voices in modern music.

I would pick it to tell somebody that if they would just listen to this one song they could hear what an unmistakable, powerful, rich voice he has and also to get a very good idea of why many other musicians consider him one of the best lyricists.

This one song would showcase the perfection and art that Lightfoot masters time and time again.


There is none other than "Seven Island Suite" to show the above.

[BILLW]

Don Quixote

I'd have to say Restless.... that song just puts me to sleep.... close my eyes and I'm instantly transported to late fall early winter. The other one would have to " Is There Anyone Home" from Sundown

[Jenney]

I think I would agree with Seven Island Suite. I was tossing around Tattoo, and the Last Time I Saw her as well.
Jenney

[Rob1956]

I'd pick just about any song from Shadows.
His voice sounded weathered, world-weary (read:experienced), he would often emit a
uhhhh sound before launching into a phrase, like he was "ramping up"; example in "She's Not The Same" right before the line "...
with all of these false emotions...that's also my favorite song on the album.

[brink]

Well if I can only pick one song I guess it would be the Watchman's Gone, I like the little wind up that he does before some of the words. But that is my favorite song this month.

Hard question.
Shadows II

I have to agree with Rob.I think "She's Not the Same" is just quintessential Gord. That song just conveys a very lived in life by someone who has learned to pick his battles, understands what is important and knows when to move on. It's really quite intellectual.

[Oma]

"Seven Island Suite" would get my vote. It shows his range and it is nice and LONG!!! I put this song on "repeat play" all the time, when I listen to it once, I have to listen to it again and again (like right now! )!

[MaryEllen]

It's not my favorite, but I think "The Last Time I Saw Her" is Gord's best performance on record. And I've read that it was done in one take!

PS. I know you said ONE, but my FAVORITE vocal performance is "Looking at the Rain."

[TheWatchman]

"The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald" was also done in one take. He wrote the song in 2-3 days, had the band over to his house and they ran through some small parts and then the band left. That night, Gordon re-wrote the song until noon the next day and then they met at the recording studio and played it. They tried 2 or 3 more times to get it better, but they just couldn't top it. How can you top perfection?

This would be another great song to showcase what Lightfoot is capable of.

[seahawk11]

Miguel...really, I guess anything off of Summer Side of Life...and of course Triangle, always my fave Gordy tune.

[Martin/12]

Beautiful showcases his vocal abilities best. There is a certain level of difficulty because it has unusual intervals. His voice on this song has vibrato, warmth, emotion, even a high note toward the end(unfortuantely now unreachable for Gord).

[Borderstone]

Awww,Seahawk! You beat me to "Triangle"! Well,that's the one I'd choose for the ^80's but for the ^70's I would say it's a tie between "The Pony Man"/"Seven Island Suite"/"The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald" and "Summer Side Of Life". There's more from that decade I'd mention but it'd take too long. The ^60's is a little easier,only 3 songs tie. "The Mountains and Maryann"/"P. Willows & Cat Tails" and "Affair On 8th Ave." I would've spelled out the title of the second but the dude next to me keeps trying to look at what I'm typing! Some people! Anyhow. The ^90's? "Restless" or just about the whole,"Waiting For You" CD! "Much To My Surprise" & "Drifters" from A.P.P.T. Of course I could go on forever with titles but these will do. It's been me and I'll catch ya on the flipside of Sundown! (Oh! There's another!)

[gwen snyder]

Martin12 Yup
Has my vote if you tie my arms and hands and gag me and force the issue...
it is just what the title says
GSS