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Westernstar9 · 03-02-2001, 01:22 AM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Martin/12:
[B]I agree 100% about Pee Wee's departure. His steel added a unique character to the Lightfoot sound. It did not remotely resemble a country instrument--PW created his own genre, much like Gord himself. I have often wondered how this sound evolved--whether Pee Wee invented it, or Gord made it clear that it should not sound like the traditional country twang maker. Some of my favorites for PW's vintage sound are the Wreck, and Ghosts of Cape Horn. The steel really adds a haunting dimension to those songs. I also like Heaven Help the Devil--it seems to me, to be one of the last songs with the traditional Lightfoot sound. It also confounds me that Pee Wee was never replaced--but maybe you can't replace him.

The official company line is: "Peewee departed to pursue other interests". That still doesn't answer the question about a lack of replacement. I don't believe Gord fired Peewee. He fired the steel guitar. Toward the end of John Denver's recording career at RCA, company officials suggested that he tailor his music more for the country audience. He refused. One of his last RCA recordings was "Dreamland Express", which gets even further away from country than say "Rocky Mountain High". Perhaps someone at Warner Bros made the same suggestion to Gord and the response was to can the steel guitar, go to L.A. and record "East of Midnight". Anybody?..........

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[This message has been edited by Westernstar9 (edited April 01, 2001).]

03-02-2001, 01:22 AM	#6
Westernstar9 Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Rocklin, CA, USA Posts: 99	[QUOTE]Originally posted by Martin/12: [B]I agree 100% about Pee Wee's departure. His steel added a unique character to the Lightfoot sound. It did not remotely resemble a country instrument--PW created his own genre, much like Gord himself. I have often wondered how this sound evolved--whether Pee Wee invented it, or Gord made it clear that it should not sound like the traditional country twang maker. Some of my favorites for PW's vintage sound are the Wreck, and Ghosts of Cape Horn. The steel really adds a haunting dimension to those songs. I also like Heaven Help the Devil--it seems to me, to be one of the last songs with the traditional Lightfoot sound. It also confounds me that Pee Wee was never replaced--but maybe you can't replace him. The official company line is: "Peewee departed to pursue other interests". That still doesn't answer the question about a lack of replacement. I don't believe Gord fired Peewee. He fired the steel guitar. Toward the end of John Denver's recording career at RCA, company officials suggested that he tailor his music more for the country audience. He refused. One of his last RCA recordings was "Dreamland Express", which gets even further away from country than say "Rocky Mountain High". Perhaps someone at Warner Bros made the same suggestion to Gord and the response was to can the steel guitar, go to L.A. and record "East of Midnight". Anybody?.......... ------------------ [This message has been edited by Westernstar9 (edited April 01, 2001).]