The Albany concert certainly shows how weak, thin, and tired Lightfoot's voice has become in the last few years. Gwen, like you I became sad hearing him strain so hard to reach notes that once were so effortless. I have loved GL's music for over thirty years and it is hard to accept he is now only a shadow of the singer he once was.
It's curious that some singers age better than others. James Taylor is about ten years younger than Gord but his voice seems to be improving with age. He sounds better now than when he first started recording in the early 70's. Tony Bennett still has fabulous "pipes" and he is in his early 70s!
Watchman, I agree completely with your assessment that Lightfoot's voice has taken a lot of abuse over the years. 50 years of cigarette smoking coupled with over 40 years of singing on stage have exacted a severe toll on his vocal register. Spending months in a hospital ICU with a tube snaked down his nose and throat cannot have helped the situation. I don't mean to sound too negative as I still love the man's music but I find it hard to listen to his current voice. I expect I may get "flamed" for saying that so let me close by saying I hope Gordon makes a complete recovery, returns to the stage, and proves me wrong! Nothing would make me happier!
Best regards,
closetcanadian
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"be calm in the face of all common disgraces...and know what they're doin' it for..."
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