Here's the scoop:
I have plans to play and sing at an open mike coffeehouse event in Hamilton. I don't think I'm especially gifted at singing, but I can sing on tune, and I can play any given Gord song I decide to work out. I want to do this just for the experience. Also, I have written some songs (influenced by Gord's style) that I want to share with someone other than me and my wife. I thought you Lightheads would like to help me out. I'm planning on playing one Gord song. Should it be

Song for a Winter's Night
If You Could Read my Mind
Shadows
Don Quioxte

or is there another that you think I should figure out (I already play the ones above).

I'm playing the one song to hopefully hook people to listen since Gord is familiar to some. Besides, I love Gord!

I look forward to hearing your comments.

Here's the scoop:
I have plans to play and sing at an open mike coffeehouse event in Hamilton. I don't think I'm especially gifted at singing, but I can sing on tune, and I can play any given Gord song I decide to work out. I want to do this just for the experience. Also, I have written some songs (influenced by Gord's style) that I want to share with someone other than me and my wife. I thought you Lightheads would like to help me out. I'm planning on playing one Gord song. Should it be

Song for a Winter's Night
If You Could Read my Mind
Shadows
Don Quioxte

or is there another that you think I should figure out (I already play the ones above).

I'm playing the one song to hopefully hook people to listen since Gord is familiar to some. Besides, I love Gord!

I look forward to hearing your comments.

Hi,Minstrel Man! Borderstone here. I would say,since it is a coffee house and that's kind of an intimate setting,I think you should go with either "Winter's Night" or "Don Q."
"Read My Mind" would be a good choice but I'm sure anyone who likes GL and wants to sing would do that one. "Shadows",a little more complex but overall I'd lean twords "Winter's Night". Mainly because for a large %-age of folks,it's obscure. Hope I helped you and as they say in show biz,"break a leg!" http://www.corfid.com/ubb/biggrin.gif Later! http://www.corfid.com/ubb/cool.gif

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Borderstone,gonna post some lines tonight! http://www.corfid.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

[This message has been edited by Borderstone (edited February 25, 2004).]

Wherefore And Why
Hi'Way Songs
Waiting For You
Did She Mention My Name

Wherefore And Why
Hi'Way Songs
Waiting For You
Did She Mention My Name

Why don't you play Alberta Bound, or High And Dry, and don't forget The Pony Man!

Why don't you play Alberta Bound, or High And Dry, and don't forget The Pony Man!

So many to chose from, how about Hi'way Songs, "coffeehouses, halls & bars".

Hope you have a great time and make some converts!

Without a doubt, Restless..

Wow! I'm intrigued. You've given me some interesting suggestions so far. A number of faster paced songs suggested. I like playing Restless too. Anyone else like to suggest their ideas? Thanks to those who have responded so far.

Lazy Mornin'
Carefree Highway
Restless is a great song
And I like The Watchman's Gone.
As an audience member I like hearing songs I can sing with, but Gord has so many great songs that people haven't heard or haven't heard a lot that it would be nice so something "off the beaten track." Good luck!

Lazy Mornin'
Carefree Highway
Restless is a great song
And I like The Watchman's Gone.
As an audience member I like hearing songs I can sing with, but Gord has so many great songs that people haven't heard or haven't heard a lot that it would be nice so something "off the beaten track." Good luck!

Minstral Man,

don't forget 'Too Much to Lose' and 'I'm
not s'posed to care','It's Worth
Believin''. So many to choose from ...

There you go - bring us some converts! http://www.corfid.com/ubb/smile.gif
Have a great time.
Good Luck!

Why don't you do yourself and the audience a favor and play them all. Or as many as you can.

Why don't you do yourself and the audience a favor and play them all. Or as many as you can.

quote:Originally posted by Minstrel Man:
Here's the scoop:
I have plans to play and sing at an open mike coffeehouse event in Hamilton. I don't think I'm especially gifted at singing, but I can sing on tune, and I can play any given Gord song I decide to work out. I want to do this just for the experience. Also, I have written some songs (influenced by Gord's style) that I want to share with someone other than me and my wife. I thought you Lightheads would like to help me out. I'm planning on playing one Gord song. Should it be

Song for a Winter's Night
If You Could Read my Mind
Shadows
Don Quioxte

or is there another that you think I should figure out (I already play the ones above).

I'm playing the one song to hopefully hook people to listen since Gord is familiar to some. Besides, I love Gord!

I look forward to hearing your comments.

Heaven Don't Deserve Me
And dedicate it to Gord.

Cathy http://www.cathycowette.com

Just don't play "Sundown". That song's boring, plus everyone's heard that one.

Just don't play "Sundown". That song's boring, plus everyone's heard that one.

quote:Originally posted by DMD3:
Just don't play "Sundown". That song's boring, plus everyone's heard that one.

I disagree that "Sundown" is boring, and the fact that everyone has heard it may actually work in its favor.

I would nominate "Winter's Night" and "Borderstone." I think they'd go over well in a coffee house.

Totally OT as far as GL songs go, but I once performed Martina McBride's "Cheap Whiskey" in a bar setting.

"Since the hour that she left he's been sober
And each breath that he draws makes him think
About the light of his life gone forever
When he traded her love for a drink
And the darkness still echoes her warning
You can't have two loves in your life
Now the things that will haunt him till the day that he dies
Is the smell of cheap whiskey and the sound of goodbye"

I didn't think it would fly, because drinkers wouldn't want to hear the "he's sorry he ever started drinking" message, and non-drinkers wouldn't be in a bar.

But it got big applause....

Audiences are unpredictable.

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"Pickin' up the pieces of my sweet, shattered dream..."

[This message has been edited by AZroute74 (edited March 01, 2004).]

quote:Originally posted by DMD3:
Just don't play "Sundown". That song's boring, plus everyone's heard that one.

I disagree that "Sundown" is boring, and the fact that everyone has heard it may actually work in its favor.

I would nominate "Winter's Night" and "Borderstone." I think they'd go over well in a coffee house.

Totally OT as far as GL songs go, but I once performed Martina McBride's "Cheap Whiskey" in a bar setting.

"Since the hour that she left he's been sober
And each breath that he draws makes him think
About the light of his life gone forever
When he traded her love for a drink
And the darkness still echoes her warning
You can't have two loves in your life
Now the things that will haunt him till the day that he dies
Is the smell of cheap whiskey and the sound of goodbye"

I didn't think it would fly, because drinkers wouldn't want to hear the "he's sorry he ever started drinking" message, and non-drinkers wouldn't be in a bar.

But it got big applause....

Audiences are unpredictable.

------------------
"Pickin' up the pieces of my sweet, shattered dream..."

[This message has been edited by AZroute74 (edited March 01, 2004).]

Canadian Railroad Trilogy, Poor Little Allison, and maybe even Bitter Green.

Canadian Railroad Trilogy, Poor Little Allison, and maybe even Bitter Green.

Hey Minstrel Man, have you performed at the Hamilton coffehouse yet? Give us an update of what you sang and the responses.

Long River:

Thanks for asking. I'm glad you thought of me. I have not yet taken the plunge to perform. The open mic happens weekly. So I just have to carve out the time and get up the nerve. I've been busy at work and home lately. However, fear not. I will get to it. I brought my guitar home from my workplace so that I have more opportunity to play and practice. I've just finished playing "I'll Prove my Love." I'll keep you posted as to when I will perform, what I perform, and how it goes. I will tell you that my guitar was at work because I performed "Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" for two classes of high school students. They enjoyed the story and the song. Have a great day.

Affair on 8th Avenye and If I Could are a couple of my personal favorites that I think work well in that setting

Affair on 8th Avenye and If I Could are a couple of my personal favorites that I think work well in that setting

MM,

Okay, I'm now in suspense! Looking forward
to hearing how and what you did. I
might personally recommend "The Wherefore
and the Why". Why not throw a real nice
feel good tune at them. Whatever you decide,
I'm sure you'l kick some *"#!*
Good luck

MM,

Okay, I'm now in suspense! Looking forward
to hearing how and what you did. I
might personally recommend "The Wherefore
and the Why". Why not throw a real nice
feel good tune at them. Whatever you decide,
I'm sure you'l kick some *"#!*
Good luck

Canadian Railroad Trilogy was the first song I ever performed in front of an audience, at an open mic night some eight years ago. It went over very well.

Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald gets a lot of requests, but as a solo guitarist in the absence of other instrumentation, you really have to keep it interesting by interspersing some fingerpicking (or other variation) with the strums. Otherwise, it can become a little monotonous for the listener to just hear the same four chords strummed repeatedly for 7 minutes. I used to play it more frequently, but now I usually just wait until someone specifically requests it.

I have also had good audience response with Boss Man, Don Quixote, Did She Mention My Name and I'm Not Sayin' (the full version, not the medley). However, the one that seems to ALWAYS go over is If You Could Read My Mind. I did that for nearly every open mic night and continued to play it after I started playing the local taverns and restaurants. If you can infuse that recognizable melody line - especially with the sixths on the instrumental part - it sounds great.

Personally, I prefer to do the more obscure Gord songs, but they're less popular because most audiences have never heard them. So you have to strike a balance between pleasing the crowd and playing what feels good to you.

Good luck!
Dan

[This message has been edited by The Intended (edited March 23, 2004).]

Canadian Railroad Trilogy was the first song I ever performed in front of an audience, at an open mic night some eight years ago. It went over very well.

Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald gets a lot of requests, but as a solo guitarist in the absence of other instrumentation, you really have to keep it interesting by interspersing some fingerpicking (or other variation) with the strums. Otherwise, it can become a little monotonous for the listener to just hear the same four chords strummed repeatedly for 7 minutes. I used to play it more frequently, but now I usually just wait until someone specifically requests it.

I have also had good audience response with Boss Man, Don Quixote, Did She Mention My Name and I'm Not Sayin' (the full version, not the medley). However, the one that seems to ALWAYS go over is If You Could Read My Mind. I did that for nearly every open mic night and continued to play it after I started playing the local taverns and restaurants. If you can infuse that recognizable melody line - especially with the sixths on the instrumental part - it sounds great.

Personally, I prefer to do the more obscure Gord songs, but they're less popular because most audiences have never heard them. So you have to strike a balance between pleasing the crowd and playing what feels good to you.

Good luck!
Dan

[This message has been edited by The Intended (edited March 23, 2004).]

minstrel man,

i could name the entire GL catalog but i won't. http://www.corfid.com/ubb/smile.gif

please keep us up dated on your performance plans.

regards,

ambrose

minstrel man,

i could name the entire GL catalog but i won't. http://www.corfid.com/ubb/smile.gif

please keep us up dated on your performance plans.

regards,

ambrose

Hey The Intended:

Thanks so much for your specific comments. It sounds like you have already attempted what I am planning. It is good to hear of your experiences with various songs. IYCRMM is a song that I was going to play for the very reason you suggested. I figured that people enjoy songs that they recognize. I thought that perhaps I could catch the audience's attention with IYCRMM and once they are listening, eventually try out one or two of my own songs. Problem is that IYCRMM is not one of my favourite songs to play. Nothing wrong with it, its just that I like the songs with a more lilting picking style (i.e. Don Quiote). From what you've said, I should stop wavering and be sure to include it. Thanks for your comments about the other songs as well. I already figured that Edmund Fitzgerald would not be one of the songs I'd play. I really enjoy playing Shadows, but I think there are other songs that are more accessible. As I've said before, I'll be sure to post my story when I take the plunge and sing for the house. Until then, enjoy Inspiration Lady!

Minstrel Man : Spring is upon us, therefore, more uplifting songs may be appropriate. The last thing anyone is going to want to hear after the long winter, is Song For A Winter's Night...Definately strike that one off the list! Maybe Songs like... Wherefore and the Why...Summertime Dream. You could email if you like, and tell me where and when you are playing in Hamilton, and I might make the journey from Niagara Falls Ont.

------------------
knightmoves

Minstrel Man : Spring is upon us, therefore, more uplifting songs may be appropriate. The last thing anyone is going to want to hear after the long winter, is Song For A Winter's Night...Definately strike that one off the list! Maybe Songs like... Wherefore and the Why...Summertime Dream. You could email if you like, and tell me where and when you are playing in Hamilton, and I might make the journey from Niagara Falls Ont.

------------------
knightmoves

quote:Originally posted by knightmoves:
Spring is upon us, therefore, more uplifting songs may be appropriate. The last thing anyone is going to want to hear after the long winter, is Song For A Winter's Night...Definately strike that one off the list!

Sorry, but I disagree. And Gord would disagree too. Remember, he wrote the song during a thunderstorm in July and he includes it in almost every concert. In fact, he generally doesn't tour during the worst of the winter season. SFAWN is one of his very best songs; if you can do it well, it should be high up among your choices.

------------------
Valerie Magee

Visit my GL fan site at gordonlightfoot.com and Cathy Cowette's web site at cathycowette.com

[This message has been edited by vlmagee (edited March 25, 2004).]

quote:Originally posted by Minstrel Man:
Hey The Intended:

IYCRMM is a song that I was going to play for the very reason you suggested. I figured that people enjoy songs that they recognize. I thought that perhaps I could catch the audience's attention with IYCRMM and once they are listening, eventually try out one or two of my own songs. Problem is that IYCRMM is not one of my favourite songs to play. Nothing wrong with it, its just that I like the songs with a more lilting picking style (i.e. Don Quiote).

Cathy Cowette recently wrote down the tab for IYCRMM for the way she plays it; you might want to ask her for a copy. She combines the rhythm part with some elements of the lead including the familiar riff, making the song sound more like the original and probably making it a bit more interesting to play. (But I don't disagree with you regarding the appeal of DQ).



------------------
Valerie Magee

Visit my GL fan site at gordonlightfoot.com and Cathy Cowette's web site at cathycowette.com

quote:Originally posted by vlmagee:
Cathy Cowette recently wrote down the tab for IYCRMM for the way she plays it; you might want to ask her for a copy. She combines the rhythm part with some elements of the lead including the familiar riff, making the song sound more like the original and probably making it a bit more interesting to play. (But I don't disagree with you regarding the appeal of DQ).



I find that IYCRMM is a song that always gets a good response out of the audience. People remember the song as being a hit, and the lyrics are so moving. Most people can identify with them, because somewhere along the line, we've all had a taste of a troubled relationship.
I play SFAWN during any season. If it's late winter, I remind the crowd that there's a possibility winter is not over yet, and just so they don't get their hopes up for spring too early, I'll play them a winter song. In the summer, I tell them I'm going to play them a winter song, just so they will appreciate the sun and warmth of summer a little more. And in the fall, I play it to remind them of what's just around the corner.
I've had good luck with Heaven Help The Devil. I always tell the story of how Gord wrote it for the Iranian hostages, but didn't release the song until after the hostages were released. He didn't want listeners to think he was taking advantage of a bad situation. I don't play it at all like Gord's rendition. I slow it down a little and Travis pick it and make it a bit more mournful. I've played it in local churches quite a few times and it always goes over well.


Cathy http://www.cathycowette.com


[This message has been edited by Cathy (edited March 25, 2004).]

quote:Originally posted by Minstrel Man:
Hey The Intended:

Thanks so much for your specific comments. It sounds like you have already attempted what I am planning. It is good to hear of your experiences with various songs.

No problem. It'd be great to be there when you do play - wish I could. I haven't played "professionally" (a term I use loosely) in over a year now, so the rust has started to form on whatever polish my guitar and singing used to have. But the open mic nights are a great way to warm back up. Like you, I have been trying to decide on three or four songs to play when I do go back. I worked out a neat instrumental part for Home From the Forest with drop D tuning, and am considering that one. Since it's just one guy (me) and one guitar, I have to choose songs that work well under those conditions. I'll probably do two GL tunes, one Paul Simon and maybe one other.

Dan
Playing up in Michigan

quote:Originally posted by Minstrel Man:
Hey The Intended:

Thanks so much for your specific comments. It sounds like you have already attempted what I am planning. It is good to hear of your experiences with various songs.

No problem. It'd be great to be there when you do play - wish I could. I haven't played "professionally" (a term I use loosely) in over a year now, so the rust has started to form on whatever polish my guitar and singing used to have. But the open mic nights are a great way to warm back up. Like you, I have been trying to decide on three or four songs to play when I do go back. I worked out a neat instrumental part for Home From the Forest with drop D tuning, and am considering that one. Since it's just one guy (me) and one guitar, I have to choose songs that work well under those conditions. I'll probably do two GL tunes, one Paul Simon and maybe one other.

Dan
Playing up in Michigan