interesting stuff, well, deb, the topic sure has got alot of attention deservedly or not, eh? lol
the latter sub-topic of key change is one I'd love to chat amongst this group in person (instead of all this typing, cos I really don't like tying at all, i'm a hunt & pecker, agh)
i've always consider the choice of key which the song is written recorded in, as part of the composition of song itself...i believe that an artist is going to cover a song then they should do it in the written key or just leave it alone - right from the intro onward, if i hear the first few notes in a different key than i grew accustomed to then it just doesn't sound 'right'- that's just my opinion and it's not a practical one - anyhow, does anyone know if Gord has changed keys of songs he's done live vs. studio versions?
i'm not sure what songs are being referred to for key change recommendation? I agree that he needn't bother doing the high notes at the end of SFAWN (like he attempted on MMM live) - last time I heard him do that live he didn't, as I recall
as Char and Ron were saying re: opting for alternative melody notes such as in Beautiful live, I really think this is the answer...as long as it's not a drastic change, I really like when he or any artist delivers new phrasings or melody notes when performing live...actually, I love that, and that's a large part of what I'm there for and to hear live arrangements...odd that I'm flexible on any melody and phrasings but stubborn about key changes, eh? lol
but some artists go totally overboard on changing their live versions of songs, eh...sometimes I just shake my head and say "what was THAT!???"
hey, if keys were to be changed, shouldn't they songs be transposed up and not down a notch in most cases? what songs are you referring to gretschviking1967? i think the ability to hit low or high notes is more about projection/diaphram limitations than his voice changing over which may or may not be related to smoking...i actually thought smoking makes the voice lower...the change is probably natural or related to other bad habits from the past...anyhow, like i said, i think he delivers a song 'better' these days and chooses more interesting songs to sing..there's a bunch of "hits" Gord still performs that I could totally do without hearing live but that they are must plays obviously and good catchy tunes
oh, I agree about the true and truest fan terms, ugh
i could ramble more but i doubt many woudl make it thru my 2 cents already...i gotta say that although i bypass lots of longwinded posts and threads, that I have read this one and loved reading everyone's take from one extreme to another...100% agree with RMD, that Gord HAS thought about IT - and it's obvious that i 100% disagree that his voice is NO more and I'm sorry to hear that there won't be a new album of fresh material delivered in Gord's WFY, APPT, Harmony voice...but i suppose i can get by with rotating the small handful of existing recordings he's got out there and more live stuff and possibly more gems from the vault, pleeeease
