This has been discussed before and at the time I thought it might cause problems for the band. Others disagreed. Borrowing from CHar's interview, Lightfoot said :

"And as far as playing the music, we love playing the music, the keys are weird but we don’t care!"

So, the question is : Would it be wise to make weird even weirder, since they've been doing it a certain way for so long ? [/QUOTE]These guys are professionals. To lower the key would be like tying shoelaces. [/QUOTE]With today's technology, lowering the key a step or two would be simple. With the guitar, you drop the capo 1 or 2 frets. With modern keyboards, you can change the key just by pushing a few buttons, and still play it using the notes your used to. Barry wouldn't have to worry about a thing with the drums. Rick would have to manually play in a different key, but I think it would be quite easy for him, considering how long he's been playing bass, and the fact that he has a lot of musical know-how. [/QUOTE]Cathy,


Exactly!!! I have done the same in the recording studio. I am not the greatest keyboard player (guitar is my instrument). I would push a few buttons and all of a sudden I was performing a song in the key of B Flat but playing the piano in "G". Very cool indeed. Hey, whatever works!

This has been discussed before and at the time I thought it might cause problems for the band. Others disagreed. Borrowing from CHar's interview, Lightfoot said :

"And as far as playing the music, we love playing the music, the keys are weird but we don’t care!"

So, the question is : Would it be wise to make weird even weirder, since they've been doing it a certain way for so long ? [/QUOTE]These guys are professionals. To lower the key would be like tying shoelaces. [/QUOTE]With today's technology, lowering the key a step or two would be simple. With the guitar, you drop the capo 1 or 2 frets. With modern keyboards, you can change the key just by pushing a few buttons, and still play it using the notes your used to. Barry wouldn't have to worry about a thing with the drums. Rick would have to manually play in a different key, but I think it would be quite easy for him, considering how long he's been playing bass, and the fact that he has a lot of musical know-how. [/QUOTE]Cathy,


Exactly!!! I have done the same in the recording studio. I am not the greatest keyboard player (guitar is my instrument). I would push a few buttons and all of a sudden I was performing a song in the key of B Flat but playing the piano in "G". Very cool indeed. Hey, whatever works!

[quote]Originally posted by gretschviking1967:

Quote:

Once I pushed that narrow mindedness out of the way...

well, i've always been a bit of a stubborn, pinhead ;)

http://www.cartoonstock.com/lowres/jmo1413l.jpg

lol, i hear your replies, guys...i'll check out those tunes on the DVD, it's been years, not my fave piece of GL listening really...while me and several colleagues are in that 0.01%, i totally agree, if the clock is ticking in the studio, use whatever technology is at your disposal to get the job done...years ago i got rid of all my electronic stuff, my kid's gonna get the same grueling non-capo, non-transpose button upbringing that i had, lol....poor dude...one thing we do agree on: yeah, the band probably IS lazy! :) (j/k)

[quote]Originally posted by gretschviking1967:

Quote:

Once I pushed that narrow mindedness out of the way...

well, i've always been a bit of a stubborn, pinhead ;)

http://www.cartoonstock.com/lowres/jmo1413l.jpg

lol, i hear your replies, guys...i'll check out those tunes on the DVD, it's been years, not my fave piece of GL listening really...while me and several colleagues are in that 0.01%, i totally agree, if the clock is ticking in the studio, use whatever technology is at your disposal to get the job done...years ago i got rid of all my electronic stuff, my kid's gonna get the same grueling non-capo, non-transpose button upbringing that i had, lol....poor dude...one thing we do agree on: yeah, the band probably IS lazy! :) (j/k)

ps) for a thread with such a dim Headline, this sure contains some wonderfully touching posts from members, i just read Kerstin, DSR, RJ, BH, CW and all others, nice stuff:)

ps) for a thread with such a dim Headline, this sure contains some wonderfully touching posts from members, i just read Kerstin, DSR, RJ, BH, CW and all others, nice stuff:)

Lightfoot's voice has certainly changed over the thirty plus years I've been listening. Listening to "River of Light" is a prime example. My girlfriend says that he still sounds good.....Someone on this thread said that Harmony is a beter record that APPT - probably true. Albums like Waiting For You and Harmony sound like they have pared-down production, and I think that tends to help rather than hinder Lightfoot's voice - it's the real Gord, not an embellished, over-produced sound.

Lightfoot's voice has certainly changed over the thirty plus years I've been listening. Listening to "River of Light" is a prime example. My girlfriend says that he still sounds good.....Someone on this thread said that Harmony is a beter record that APPT - probably true. Albums like Waiting For You and Harmony sound like they have pared-down production, and I think that tends to help rather than hinder Lightfoot's voice - it's the real Gord, not an embellished, over-produced sound.

I listen to Harmony at least once a week, it's one of my very favorites. I jump back and forth between listening to young Gord, in-his-prime Gord, and now Gord. And I love all of them--the entire package.

Sorry if this sounds harsh, but If you don't like the way he sounds now, then just play his old CD's and don't attend a concert if you think you'll be disappointed. Your loss.

I think Mr Lightfoot is aware of his "limitations" and it's ironic that you use this song to illustrate the "horrors" of his "new" voice.

I think Mr Lightfoot is aware of his "limitations" and it's ironic that you use this song to illustrate the "horrors" of his "new" voice.

A thread like this should not be allowed to exist this long. What does it say to new fans? What if Lightfoot or one of his kids see it? How would this make them feel?

Discussing his voice changes is one thing, but the title of this thread and some of crap in it should be zapped.

I agree with Watchman and I'm boycotting it. Bye, and see you in a different thread. :)

[ April 18, 2007, 12:52: Message edited by: Gitchigumee ]

While the subject title is not to my liking this has been a topic of discussion several times and many have viewed their thoughts in the last couple of weeks without rancour or personal slagging.

Perhaps it seems off-putting to discuss it but it doesn't change the fact that his voice has changed. He's aware of it and makes changes accordingly.

Folks who have not followed his career since the 70's will be surprised, no doubt about it, but many who have come here after just finding Lightfoot seem to feel it's worth it to participate in these sorts of discussions.

Nothing is said maliciously, perhaps a bit of sensitivity was lacking at times in some posts but the topic is relevant.

And once again I do appreciate that there has been no personal insults between posters.

If you've posted your thoughts earlier in a thread and then choose to depart that's your privilege.

As was said earlier in this thread - "If you don't like the way he sounds now, then just play his old CD's and don't attend a concert if you think you'll be disappointed. Your loss."

The same thing applies if you choose not to post or read a certain thread that is not to your liking.

It was said there were some very touching posts earlier so I hope we have more of the same - perhaps along the line sof how some songs have changed for you with the voice change as I said how Beautiful seemed different to me...

perhaps the meaning has changed for you in a song? ..
I have a few others that I know make me hear and interpret things in a different way now that his voice has changed since the original recording.

Anyone else?

While the subject title is not to my liking this has been a topic of discussion several times and many have viewed their thoughts in the last couple of weeks without rancour or personal slagging.

Perhaps it seems off-putting to discuss it but it doesn't change the fact that his voice has changed. He's aware of it and makes changes accordingly.

Folks who have not followed his career since the 70's will be surprised, no doubt about it, but many who have come here after just finding Lightfoot seem to feel it's worth it to participate in these sorts of discussions.

Nothing is said maliciously, perhaps a bit of sensitivity was lacking at times in some posts but the topic is relevant.

And once again I do appreciate that there has been no personal insults between posters.

If you've posted your thoughts earlier in a thread and then choose to depart that's your privilege.

As was said earlier in this thread - "If you don't like the way he sounds now, then just play his old CD's and don't attend a concert if you think you'll be disappointed. Your loss."

The same thing applies if you choose not to post or read a certain thread that is not to your liking.

It was said there were some very touching posts earlier so I hope we have more of the same - perhaps along the line sof how some songs have changed for you with the voice change as I said how Beautiful seemed different to me...

perhaps the meaning has changed for you in a song? ..
I have a few others that I know make me hear and interpret things in a different way now that his voice has changed since the original recording.

Anyone else?

In my opinion, there are 3 Gord voices. The early days, the Sundown era, and the latter years. I love them all equally. Each voice is beautiful and I can't choose between them. It doesn't matter if I'm listening to 'the No Hotel' or 'Long River', I love it all!! I hope he comes with a new disc soon.