Hello!
Screen name: Staiduk.
Real name: David R. Organ
Occupation: Self Defense instructor; creator, Great Wave SD training system.
Retired soldier; Canadian Armed Forces, former industrial safety rep.
I just picked up 'Harmony' today; and was totally blown away. I've long enjoyed Gordon Lightfoot's music; and the warmth and timbre of that wonderfully unique voice. I honestly believe that Harmony is the best album he's made yet.
(As well as possibly the best song; though 'Sundown' remains my favourite; since it so accurately reflects my own somewhat...elemental...lifestyle.
)
Every song on this CD is elegantly crafted, thoughtful and beautifully recorded. Though his voice is much thinner than it used to be and has a noticeable quaver from age; it still has that same lingering resonance and easygoing soul that's made him such an iconic figure of Canadian culture.
It's too bad I only found out today that he'll be in Niagara Falls 26-18; the show's likely sold out and I'm teaching a seminar those days anyway. Rats - I would have dearly loved to have seen the concert. Oh well; there's always October.
Anyway, I have a question: I was reading a few press releases regarding his return to the stage; and they all seem to say what seems right to me - that he's a warm, generous entertainer. However I was mentioning this album to a couple of friends that saw him some years ago down in the States; and they told me something very different: that on stage he was a 'veritable tyrant' who refused to bond with the audience in any way.
Odd. The person I was talking to is above reproach in terms of opinion; so I'm wondering if his performance that day was the exception; not the rule. In other words; overall what is Mr. Lightfoot's common behaviour like on stage?
Thanks my new friends!