Gordon Lightfoot Forums - View Single Post - At sometime in 1984 Gord traded in his Martin!

Rich Man Spiritual · 03-18-2005, 12:20 AM

I cut my guitar playing and singing teeth on Gord's songs back in the mid 70's. I learned the Travis pick (named after the late Merle Travis) playing "Sit Down Young Stranger". It was initally very difficult to learn how to make your thumb independent of your other fingers. I had several of Gord's song books and it seems my favorite was the one that went along with the album "Don Quixote". I use to try to copy his embrochure that is in the way he shaped his sound when he sang. That sound came from deep within. Your diaphragm had to be strong to replicate that lower toned resonance. Gord had the ability to hold on to notes without losing the quality of his tone. Because I tried to copy these quality traits when I would sing his songs it became the sound that I would always associate with Gordon Lightfoot. I wouldn't like to try to copy his sound now which he has had for the last 20 years. The sound comes from higher up in his throat, he doesn't have the ability to hold notes, his phrasing is very abbreviated and choppy. There is no strength in his diaphram. He now longer chooses to overdub his harmonies which was quite prominent in the middle 70's to the Salute album which I liked immensely. It is interesting to note (at least for me) that Gord's singing voice (that which was recorded) held from 1966 to 1982, 16 years. In other words, he have been without his trademark quality voice longer than he has been with it. I am glad that I have all 20 of his orginal albums and even though I don't enjoy the voice as much anymore he is still worth my attention.

[This message has been edited by Rich Man Spiritual (edited March 17, 2005).]

03-18-2005, 12:20 AM	#4
Rich Man Spiritual Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Toledo, Washington, USA Posts: 27	I cut my guitar playing and singing teeth on Gord's songs back in the mid 70's. I learned the Travis pick (named after the late Merle Travis) playing "Sit Down Young Stranger". It was initally very difficult to learn how to make your thumb independent of your other fingers. I had several of Gord's song books and it seems my favorite was the one that went along with the album "Don Quixote". I use to try to copy his embrochure that is in the way he shaped his sound when he sang. That sound came from deep within. Your diaphragm had to be strong to replicate that lower toned resonance. Gord had the ability to hold on to notes without losing the quality of his tone. Because I tried to copy these quality traits when I would sing his songs it became the sound that I would always associate with Gordon Lightfoot. I wouldn't like to try to copy his sound now which he has had for the last 20 years. The sound comes from higher up in his throat, he doesn't have the ability to hold notes, his phrasing is very abbreviated and choppy. There is no strength in his diaphram. He now longer chooses to overdub his harmonies which was quite prominent in the middle 70's to the Salute album which I liked immensely. It is interesting to note (at least for me) that Gord's singing voice (that which was recorded) held from 1966 to 1982, 16 years. In other words, he have been without his trademark quality voice longer than he has been with it. I am glad that I have all 20 of his orginal albums and even though I don't enjoy the voice as much anymore he is still worth my attention. [This message has been edited by Rich Man Spiritual (edited March 17, 2005).]