By now,most of us have heard both of these versions of this song. Gord's,originally titled,"The First Time",and Miss Flack's which added "Ever I Saw Your Face." I truly do like them both,even though Roberta's went to #1 and was featured in a TV commercial. I feel Gord's shows a man truly and deeply in love with a woman for "the first time". R.F.'s projects how deeply and sensual a woman's love can be as well as the woman herself. Do you think they're equal? ..or do you have a preferred version? Tell me and or us. http://www.corfid.com/ubb/smile.gif Been me,later! http://www.corfid.com/ubb/cool.gif!

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Borderstone (An,"Avid Listner" of G.L.)

(I'm sorry to say that) Flack's version far better displays the melodic beauty of the song.

Roberta Flacks' version is quite moving. . . . it just does something to listeners.

Yeah ... puts 'em to sleep. Sorry, but I always found the tempo in the Flack version wa-a-a-y too slow, almost to the point of irritation.

Really? I think the complete title of Lightfoot's version is "The First Time Ever I Took Excedrin PM." It's tempo is rather plodding and, the way he sings the melody, I hardly recognize the song as the great one it is...

Chacun a son gout, I guess. From what I could find, Gord's version runs 3:13 to Roberta's 5:19 (with Celine Dion's version falling in-between at just over 4 minutes.) Oddly enough the first cover I can find of this song is by Peter, Paul & Mary way back in 1965, with everybody from Elvis to Nana Mouskouri (sp?) having a go at it. It was written in 1957 by McColl for his life partner, Peggy Seeger (yeah, those Seegers).

Well B,

I prefer Gordon's version. "But that's why they make vanilla, chocolate & strawberry ice cream." (that's a really old expression)

Bill http://www.corfid.com/ubb/smile.gif

I have Peggy Seeger's version of this song on a Ewan McColl album 'Antquities' it is a very basic version, guitar and voice, 2:28 long. With a very basic arpeggio accompaniment. It's very simplicity makes it an extremely beautiful version.

However of the 2 mentioned, I think I prefer Gordon's.

In this corner,Auburn Annie and over in that corner Restless! Tonight they'll be wrestling over the topic of Gord vs.Flack in the epic battle of "The First Time"! http://www.corfid.com/ubb/eek.gif Didn't mean to start a war. http://www.corfid.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif /// I had no idea the song was that far back in time! I knew GL hadn't written it but I thought he was the 1st to record it. As for Celine Dion's version,I haven't heard it and I think I'll keep it that way. I like her but when she covers a song,she always over does it! When she did,"River Deep-Mountain High",I fell over laughing because Tina Turner she's not! I'll stick with my opinion of the primary 2. By the way Annie,never listen to the Flack version unless you're alone with your significant other. http://www.corfid.com/ubb/smile.gif Later! http://www.corfid.com/ubb/cool.gif

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Borderstone (An,"Avid Listner" of G.L.)

Also, for my left-to-the-jaw, I'd say this track is an example of Gord's sometimes excessive vibrato not serving him well. (I really do like Lightfoot! I swear!)

quote:Originally posted by Restless:
Also, for my left-to-the-jaw, I'd say this track is an example of Gord's sometimes excessive vibrato not serving him well. (I really do like Lightfoot! I swear!)

C'mon,c'mon. Put 'em up,put 'em up. I'll fight ya with one hand tied behind ma back. I'll fight ya on 1 foot! http://www.corfid.com/ubb/biggrin.gif Seriously,to each his or her own Restless! http://www.corfid.com/ubb/wink.gif

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Borderstone (An,"Avid Listner" of G.L.)

I like both versions. However, given the choice, I would prefer to hear Gord sing "The Last Time I Saw Her." I guess I just prefer to hear about endings rather than beginnings!

quote:Originally posted by Restless:
Also, for my left-to-the-jaw, I'd say this track is an example of Gord's sometimes excessive vibrato not serving him well. (I really do like Lightfoot! I swear!)

Excessive vibrato? Alright, Mister! Put 'em up! I'm climbing into the ring!
Seriously, I love that vibrato. Whenever I hear one of those old ballads, no matter what I'm doing, I have to stop and listen to that beautiful vibrato.

Cathy

Yes, yes, Kathy. I love his vibrato, too. I was thrilled the first time I heard Gordon's version of The First Time . ." Every time I hear it I have to hear it again. It really turns me on.

Didn't The Chad Michhell Trio's version sound simmaller to Lightfoots? BTW when was there version released?

I don't know about the Chad Mitchell Trio Touhy but...

for the record it's S-I-M-I-L-A-R. :D (Hee,hee! ;) )

P.S. : Thanks for bringing my 2 & 1/2 year old topic back to the top! :cool:

from an epinions review of the 2 CD "The United Artists Collection"
"The United Artists Collection is actually a compilation of the four studio albums that Lightfoot recorded in the 1960s. This collection packs nearly 50 songs on two jam packed CDs. It contains gentle folk arrangements made smoother by Lightfoot's soft burr of a voice as well as transitional folk-rock tunes.

With two notable exceptions, Lightfoot wrote all of the songs in this collection. The first of the two covers is The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face by Ewan McColl. It is as pure of a folk song as has ever been recorded. There's nothing there but Lightfoot's voice and a guitar. McColl's lyrics perfectly capture the feeling of brand new passionate can't live without you love."
"Soft burr" "perfectly capture" amen.It captivated me in 1966 and the Flack version was a step backwards in my opinion because Gords version is perfection. Sorry
John Fowles
very interesting opinion touhy regarding the Lightfoot like sound of the Chad Mitchell Trio on their version of "Your Face".i must try to hear it
As I recounted on another topic at:-
http://www.corfid.com/ubb/ultimatebb...=003392#000002
on their version of the classic Ian Tyson song "Four Strong Winds" to my ears Mike Kublik sounds incredibly like Gord
John Fowles

A lawman came to capture him The gun jumped in his hand

Lightfoot’s songs capture the spirit of Canada

I like both version of "The First time", they both sing about love that a person feels.

Peggy began learning the piano at six, guitar at 10, and banjo at 15. There was so much music in the suburban Maryland home, she says, that she only listened to her radio for The Lone Ranger, Inner Sanctum, and Backstage Wife. Frequent visitors included Woody Guthrie, Leadbelly, Ramblin' Jack Elliott, and Elizabeth Cotton. The diminutive Guthrie, her equal in height when she was nine years old, carried his guitar without a case, dragging it by its strap like a dog on a leash. Elliott also happened to be on the S.S. Maasdam when Seeger left Radcliffe College to kick around Europe; they had hootenannies in every corner of the ship.

She would find the other major influence in her life across the puddle: British playwright and songwriter Ewan MacColl (1915-89), her life partner for over 30 years. "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face," his best-known song, can be tied to a precise moment: "March 25, 1956, at 10:30 in the morning," Seeger remembers—the moment they met.

"The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" was written by Ewan MacColl for Peggy Seeger during the course of a transatlantic telephone call in 1957, who needed a short fill-in number for a concert she was giving in the States.

Hey head 2 toe,I know how you feel. The girlfriend I loved (& always will) married another. So sometimes it's tough to listen too,"My Love For You",but it's not as bad as it was,thankfully. :)

Haven't listened to Flack's version in years, but I remember it really spoke to my heart the very first time I heard it and so it is hers that I think of.
Kimberly

I feel that the song is better suited coming from a man's heart. To me, Ms. Flack's version may sound more dynamic, but it's Mr. Lightfoot's version that seems more genuine and, therefore, complete.

Borderstone, I just saw this thread today -- I wholeheartedly agree with your interpretation. You hit the nail on the head! Although they gave Roberta's version so much airplay I was SO sick of it after hearing it so much, it is a beautiful song. I prefer Gord's version. (surprise!) LOL

Found Roberta's version a yawn-a-rama. Wake me when it's over.

Exactly - too slow, almost hynotic (as in sleep-inducing)

Perhaps this was mentioned but Lightfoot's and even Flack's version have the part where the verses such as To the dark and empty skies my love are repeated twice. Problem with Flack's version the edited it for top 40 radio. I heard Gorld's version once, can'r remember it as well know I'm sure better Michell's version is also pretty good and might be in the same tempo though it's barely 2 min. and the verses I mentioned weren't repeated. Still also a very good version.

I tend to preferr RF's version over GL's. I remember seeing a special [can't remember who produced - maybe National Geographic?]during early 70's about the stages of developement of a human fetus. It was the first time they used computer enhanced images [right term?] on film and it was fascinating. When they came to the time of birth they started playing Roberta Flack's "The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face" while showing mother's with their newborns for the first time. It was very touching and definitely gave another meaning to the song for me. Believe me, if you saw this, the tempo of RF's version wouldn't have bothered you. Does anyone else remember this?

I never have seen that national geographic special. I did see in Jan. of 1983 the PBS film,"Miracle Of Life" in it's very 1st airing.

When it aired I only had "sort of" an idea about how babies come into the world. Thanks to that film (and my mom's shyness about the "birds and the bees" ) I finally got the clear picture. ;)

My God-daughter watched it just a few weeks ago,a "big" eye-opener for her too. :redface: <----She was even redder than that! LOL!

Now a great treatment of this song was Joe & Eddie's.. If anyone remembers them.

Does anyone here recall the 1970's commercial that used that song? I only remember some woman in a car with her husband. :confused:

Sound familiar? Anyone?

Hi all! :) I'm bringing this topic back up because,I felt it was better than starting a whole new subject just to post some personal Lightfoot LP news.

Last night my brother and I went for a drive up to the only used record store open on Sat. Night (ZIA). I wasn't exactly looking for anything but out of habit I went through the letter "L".
(I have put all their available Lightfoot at the top! :D )

I started leafing through and there was one of the rare ones!
The 1979 Pickwick LP (w/permission from UA),"The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face"! :cool: Which as most of us know is yet another compilation of 60s GL. Only $1.99.

Naturally,I bought it for the simple collection of it and the artwork. An animated picture of Gord that looks like it was copied from,"Back Here
On Earth". It has a slight ring and a "cut-out" at the top,still I'm happy! :D

For thoe of you who have never seen it,take a look:

http://www.lightfoot.ca/facelist.htm Later! :)

What a nice surprise that must have been for you Borderstone. I too always peruse through the L's. I've yet to be so lucky though.

Oh... regarding "Roberta vs Gordon": who's version of 1st Time Ever I Saw Your Face is better?

I have to admit when I first heard Gordon's recording I furrowed my brow in a bit of distaste, probably because I'm soooo used to Roberta Flacks version, which is no doubt very poignant and lovely. But then something happened... Lightfoots version grew on me and continued to grow on me and now I absolutely love it! The feeling in Gordons voice is undeniable, heartfelt and utterly complete.

I vote for Gordon's version.

Re: "Your Face">Gord's vs, Roberta Flack's
 

I've never really been all that fond of 'The first Time Ever I Saw Your Face'.But if I had to make a choice,I'd have to go with Roberta Flack's version of it.I just bought the U.A.
collection last week.Gordon's version doesn't really sound like the song I remember(just my humble opinion).
patybear

Re: "Your Face">Gord's vs, Roberta Flack's
 

Emphasis mine ... somebody can't count.

First Time
Changes
Pride of Man

Re: "Your Face">Gord's vs, Roberta Flack's
 

...which is exactly why I like Gord's version better. I never much liked the Roberta Flack version. And OK I might be just a tad biased, but my goodness Gord bears his soul while singing that song, and does it just beautifully!

Re: "Your Face">Gord's vs, Roberta Flack's
 

As long as this post is up again,has anyone yet recalled the TV commercial that used Flack's version? I'm so dang stumped! :mad:

Re: "Your Face">Gord's vs, Roberta Flack's
 

Try this B,
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/cols/will102802.asp

This is one of those nights when I'm totally engrossed in the computer world. Does anyone want me to find something for them?????????????

Re: "Your Face">Gord's vs, Roberta Flack's
 

Yeh, could you find me a husband?? ;) :biggrin:

Re: "Your Face">Gord's vs, Roberta Flack's
 

Wow talk about memories! I do recall Gord's version..though it's been many, many years since last I heard it -it's great!

However, I could never choose Flack's version over Gord's or vice-versa in the present day. But when Flack topped the charts with it, I was immediately drawn to her voice and would have preferred her interpretation over Gord's. I was a Lightfoot fan back then too, but was just starting singing lessons (I was maybe 10 years old?) and wanted to sing like Roberta Flack.

I was thrilled when she came out with "Killing Me Softly" and was cheering for her when she was awarded her Grammy's. I can still recall part of her acceptance speech, easy enough to remember! "I'd like to thank the world!"

Pam