• Gordon Lightfoot

    Posted by Michael Rife on 02/05/2023 at 12:04

    I just found that this morning that Canadian singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot passed away yesterday at 84. He was one of my favorites and he kept on having shows until he recently fell ill.

    Jeannette Wannamaker replied 1 year, 6 months ago 11 Members · 19 Replies
  • 19 Replies
  • Chris Weber

    Member
    02/05/2023 at 14:16

    Yeah, heard that on the radio last night. He was great.

    Lots of memories of listening to him and learning and playing his songs back when I was in high school and just started playing guitar.

    If You Could Read My Mind was probably my favorite, but I remember playing Carefree Highway back then too.

    When I started listening to Mona and Lisa, I realized it had been a long time since I’d done much listening to someone just playing acoustic guitar and singing. When I was younger I listened to people like Lightfoot, or Simon and Garfunkel, James Taylor, Dan Fogelberg, people like that. But I had gotten away from it.

    Maybe it’s more a reflection of my age than anything else, but it seems like we have lost so many greats in recent years.

  • Tim Arnold

    Member
    02/05/2023 at 18:15

    That’s sad. I seen him play on The Midnight Special a few times and always liked his songs. I love Sundown, Carefree Highway and of course The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. Such a haunting tribute. I agree with Chris, seems like a lot of great artists passing away recently. A sad result of growing older I guess.

  • Jacki Hopper

    Member
    02/05/2023 at 22:32

    Indeed a sad day for Canadians, a sad day for the Canadian Music Scene, I grew up on listening to his songs on radio and tv appearances, he even recorded a voicing of a song/poem on a recent Glass Tiger Xmas album …Indeed an iconic Canadian Music Legend, who’s left behind a plethora of beautiful heartfelt, diverse, rich music gifted to us all to embrace.

    Perhaps in the future, Team MLT could tackle a song or two of his, feature his music on a WOTT episode … RIP Gordon Lightfoot 😔🇨🇦🍁🤘

    • Tom Fones

      Member
      04/05/2023 at 03:27

      Hi Jacki et al,

      I winder if we could we get the Twins to cover one of Gord’s Gold if we could agree on one.

      I recommend Early Morning Rain.

      What say all?

    • Jacki Hopper

      Member
      04/05/2023 at 03:32

      Yes Tom, that would be good but I think any song from his legacy, could be tackled , in my thinking , equally….

    • Michael Rife

      Member
      04/05/2023 at 13:24

      I think a good one for MLT would be his song “Beautiful”. It would be light and could have some good harmonies going with MLT. Mike.

  • David

    Member
    03/05/2023 at 05:22

    Sad news that Gordon Lightfoot had passed away. His “Summertime Dream” album, with The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, was one of the first two or three albums I ever bought. I still have it, as a matter of fact, so I’ll have to give it a listen once I get a turntable set up to play my recently acquired MLT vinyls.

    I think it would be great if Mona and Lisa covered some of his songbook. One of his would be a natural for a Duo Session.

    I know some of you are Rick Beato fans, so you might want to see the Gordon Lightfoot tribute he posted a few hours ago: https://www.youtube.com/live/4Iw7Jei8XOo?feature=share

    • Chris Weber

      Member
      03/05/2023 at 08:49

      In the song the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, Gordon mentions Mariners’ Church in Detroit where every year they ring the bells 29 times for the sailors lost on that ship.

      Yesterday they rang it 30 times. Once for each sailor, plus once for Gordon Lightfoot.

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIq1ELxH2do

    • Jacki Hopper

      Member
      04/05/2023 at 03:24

      Hi there David …I also mentioned in my reply about how Team MLT could possibly cover Gordon’s songs… we must be all on same thinking wavelength here …. I grew up listening to Gordon ‘s stuff on radio, watched/heard him on TV as well …. Definitely a Canadian Iconic Legend …. He was so proud to be Canadian, and he will be missed but gifted us all with a wonderful Music Legacy, that is timeless, poignant, profound …🇨🇦🍁🤘🏻

    • Michael Rife

      Member
      04/05/2023 at 13:35

      I remember when “If You Could Read My Mind” was a huge hit in 1970. The immediate memory is that I was 17 years old singing it to myself as I walked in the snow to my part-time job. I knew the song was special then……but I was more into James Taylor then. I had a guitar playing buddy back then,,,,,,,he and I would “argue” about who was better: Gordon Lightfoot or James Taylor. Either one would win. Mike.

  • Jung Roe

    Member
    03/05/2023 at 15:07

    That’s sad to hear about Gordon Lightfoot. He wrote and left us some timeless brilliant songs. His best was “Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald”. It’s one of the songs over the decades I had to stop what I was doing and listen to with intent if I heard it, or turn up the volume if it came on the radio while I drove.

    https://youtu.be/9vST6hVRj2A

  • Tom Fones

    Member
    04/05/2023 at 03:15

    Michael et al,

    I am very sorry that i missed this post.

    I just started a GD post about Gordon…

    Two hour-long TV concerts from the 70s

    https://test2.monalisa-twins.com/forums/topic/rip-gordon-lightfoot-canadas-treasure/

    RIP Gordon Lightfoot. Canada’s Treasure

    • Michael Rife

      Member
      05/05/2023 at 13:34

      No problem. Gordon deserves multiple posts.

  • Stephen Krogh

    Member
    04/05/2023 at 04:46

    There is definitely a big piece of me that belonged to Gordon. His songs had a very special place in my psyche. I have often thought when listening to Gord’s Gold which song I would want Mona and Lisa to cover. There are so many. Circle of Steel would be perfect for next winter.

  • Thomas Randall

    Member
    04/05/2023 at 19:34

    It seems one of Gordon’s songs were always on top 40 radio back in the day.

    It’s always hard for me when one of these old timers leave us. It really reinforces MY age.

  • Jeannette Wannamaker

    Member
    07/05/2023 at 20:16

    Yes, we lost a national treasure in Gordon Lightfoot. I grew up listening to his music. My very favourite, and one which I know Mona and Lisa could do an exquisite cover of, is Pussy Willows Cat-Tails. The lyrics are beautiful and the arrangement is heavenly. I would love to hear and MLT version of it! There is room for harmonies, cello, and flute too!

    Pussywillows, Cat-Tails – YouTube

    • Tom Fones

      Member
      07/05/2023 at 20:31

      Great choice Jeannette.

      There are just too many good ones.

      I chose Early Morning Rain because i feel there is no great harmony version.

      Even though PP&M covered it 1st.

      Maybe we should just let the Twins choose one.

      Something from Gord’s Gold after it becomes What’s On the Table.

      Cheers

    • Jeannette Wannamaker

      Member
      08/05/2023 at 00:46

      Early Morning Rain would also be a great choice! And yes, Gord’s Gold on WOTT! I would love to hear what Mona and Lisa have to say about various selections on that album. Song for a Winter’s Night would be another good choice for a cover – I can almost hear the MLT’s sweet harmonies.

  • Daryl Jones

    Member
    07/05/2023 at 22:04

    Gordon Lightfoot was an amazing writer, musician, and a real treasure to the Canadian and the World music scene. I have long been a fan of his songs, style, and the way he told stories in his musical talents. His playing, writing, singing and his demeanor all added to the magic he brought to everyone that heard him. The word “icon” is too simplistic to describe him. I never had the opportunity to see and hear him perform live, but I did see many of his performances via recordings and videos. I enjoy playing some of his songs, and will endeavor to add more to my list.

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