http://www.canada.com/vancouver/arou...f-ca0b70dd27ec

Alt.country musician Matt Mays and El Torpedo on Lightfoot:


Evoking Neil Young and The Band, Mays's self-titled debut is loaded with alt-country gems. There's a strong dose of Bob Dylan, whom Mays cites as his biggest influence, and a dash of Gordon Lightfoot's romantic Canadiana as well. Mays pinpoints Lightfoot as ground zero for a distinct Canadian sound -- but like most Canadian music fans, he's hard pressed to describe it.

"A lot of us (Canadian singer-songwriters) -- Ron Sexsmith, Sam Roberts, Sarah Harmer and Sarah Slean, Kathleen Edwards -- they have it," he elaborates. "Neil Young -- he has it when he wants it. But it's Lightfoot. I know it but I can't say it. It's a down-home feel, rootsy sound to their tuneage. I know it when I hear it."

thanks annie