Lightfoot's perserverence

GoofyGurl · 05-31-2005, 09:46 AM

We dedicated GL fans have probably been hearing that Gord's voice is "not what it used to be".

I, for one, am sick of this. Who's voice is what it used to be? My wife and I go to many concerts of "classic" rock artists and very few singers' voices are what they used to be.

I applaud Gord for not retiring after what he has been through. I have seen Gord 6 times since 1991 and I have had the priviledge of meeting him 4 of those times, two with my entire family.

We have family tickets for the Aug. 13th concert in Aurora, Il and I can't wait!!

Isn't seeing Gord live more of a celebration of his life and music anyway?

Kelly Davis · 05-31-2005, 09:46 AM

We dedicated GL fans have probably been hearing that Gord's voice is "not what it used to be".

I, for one, am sick of this. Who's voice is what it used to be? My wife and I go to many concerts of "classic" rock artists and very few singers' voices are what they used to be.

I applaud Gord for not retiring after what he has been through. I have seen Gord 6 times since 1991 and I have had the priviledge of meeting him 4 of those times, two with my entire family.

We have family tickets for the Aug. 13th concert in Aurora, Il and I can't wait!!

Isn't seeing Gord live more of a celebration of his life and music anyway?

charlene · 05-31-2005, 10:23 AM

It certainly was a major celebration at Massey Hall a couple of weeks ago. It's the fan loyalty that partly made his recovery so important to him. That he could get back on stage for his fans was paramount in his mind. And we are all more thankful than words can express that he is back and performing and doing it beautifully!
He's THE MAN!
'nuff said.
Char

charlene · 05-31-2005, 10:23 AM

It certainly was a major celebration at Massey Hall a couple of weeks ago. It's the fan loyalty that partly made his recovery so important to him. That he could get back on stage for his fans was paramount in his mind. And we are all more thankful than words can express that he is back and performing and doing it beautifully!
He's THE MAN!
'nuff said.
Char

byKimberly · 05-31-2005, 11:45 AM

In answer to your question:
Isn't seeing Gord live more of a celebration of his life and music anyway?

Certainly! But I must confess the high I get from seeing him perform the majic of his art is another.
Kimberly

Borderstone · 05-31-2005, 06:30 PM

Boy,this is the most topics I've had to respond to in awhile! :D

I too am sick of not just the press but anyone (whom I might happen to hear) say that his voice just isn't the same anymore.

My mother is 65 and her voice is different than it was 25 years ago. Ever so slightly it's wispier than it was but I make no mention of it to her. She knows she's in the senior's age group but certainly does not need a reminder.

Gordon doesn't need to hear or read that either,in fact I wish he'd just come out and tell music columnists & all critics to "back off". (Changing a certain word to back for this message.) :D

He's okay with it and accepts it and so should these people who seem stuck in a time warp. Hey,I sometimes wish it was the '70s too but I accept (as Chad & Jeremy sang) "That,that was yesterday....and yesterday's gone."

violet Blue · 05-31-2005, 06:46 PM

Okay, one name - Robert Plant. Anyone heard that man sing live in the last few years. Absolutely not the same voice as the seventies. So what. Show me any musician who's been signing for the public for thirty or forty years who still has the same voice he or she had at 20 or 30.

Damn the youth culture and it's unrealistic expectations.

Janie · 05-31-2005, 07:07 PM

I'll go out on a limb (and probably take quite a few with me) and state that Gord's voice is even better than in his "Dream Street Rose" days. For one reason, I think he works harder at making his voice fluid; alternately forceful, gentle and always emotive.
I compared what Gord did in concert with "Ribbon of Darkness" when he was last in Vegas to the same song on his earliest album. I found the present version vastly more musical. As for range, well...perhaps I should defer to some of the more eloquent, previous writers!

hkusam · 05-31-2005, 07:07 PM

I'll go out on a limb (and probably take quite a few with me) and state that Gord's voice is even better than in his "Dream Street Rose" days. For one reason, I think he works harder at making his voice fluid; alternately forceful, gentle and always emotive.
I compared what Gord did in concert with "Ribbon of Darkness" when he was last in Vegas to the same song on his earliest album. I found the present version vastly more musical. As for range, well...perhaps I should defer to some of the more eloquent, previous writers!

The Rez · 05-31-2005, 09:29 PM

"Isn't seeing Gord live more of a celebration of his life and music anyway?"

Kelly,

Damn Straight!

The Rez

MisterHoot'nholler · 05-31-2005, 11:00 PM

Gord's voice is as wonderful now as it was 35 years ago. His voice is as clear and as lovely as the first time my older sister "forced" me to listen to one of his songs way back when I lived in Toronto. After that one song I never had to be forced again.

At the concert in April in Las Vegas Gord was awesome. So what if there are a few notes he cannot reach. At least he tries and does so with dignity and actually hits those notes despite the strain one can hear in his voice while doing so. Now that is an artist of true quality. The clarity of this man's voice rings true despite any straining of the vocal cords. It just makes the song better, more distinctive...more approachable and more Gordon. I like him as much now as I did 35 years ago. Actually, I appreciate him more now and I understand better his lyrics and his depth.

Who the heck doesn't get old? Whether we are musicians or janitors, we are all human. When Gord performed here in LV I felt it was the best Gord concert I have ever attended. He was real...he was who he is...a gorgeous man sweetly singing his tunes...humble and wonderful.

I hope he's still singing when he is 92. I love the man.

Laci

[ May 31, 2005, 23:07: Message edited by: Laci ]

Laci · 05-31-2005, 11:00 PM

Gord's voice is as wonderful now as it was 35 years ago. His voice is as clear and as lovely as the first time my older sister "forced" me to listen to one of his songs way back when I lived in Toronto. After that one song I never had to be forced again.

At the concert in April in Las Vegas Gord was awesome. So what if there are a few notes he cannot reach. At least he tries and does so with dignity and actually hits those notes despite the strain one can hear in his voice while doing so. Now that is an artist of true quality. The clarity of this man's voice rings true despite any straining of the vocal cords. It just makes the song better, more distinctive...more approachable and more Gordon. I like him as much now as I did 35 years ago. Actually, I appreciate him more now and I understand better his lyrics and his depth.

Who the heck doesn't get old? Whether we are musicians or janitors, we are all human. When Gord performed here in LV I felt it was the best Gord concert I have ever attended. He was real...he was who he is...a gorgeous man sweetly singing his tunes...humble and wonderful.

I hope he's still singing when he is 92. I love the man.

Laci

[ May 31, 2005, 23:07: Message edited by: Laci ]

MisterHoot'nholler · 05-31-2005, 11:11 PM

Amen Kelly & Rez...

Damn Straight For Sure.

Laci · 05-31-2005, 11:11 PM

Amen Kelly & Rez...

Damn Straight For Sure.

Sheryl · 06-01-2005, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by hkusam:
I'll go out on a limb (and probably take quite a few with me) and state that Gord's voice is even better than in his "Dream Street Rose" days. For one reason, I think he works harder at making his voice fluid; alternately forceful, gentle and always emotive.
I compared what Gord did in concert with "Ribbon of Darkness" when he was last in Vegas to the same song on his earliest album. I found the present version vastly more musical. As for range, well...perhaps I should defer to some of the more eloquent, previous writers!

I think you're doing pretty well on your own!! No need to defer to anyone!!

kenny · 06-02-2005, 12:15 AM

Any person and that obviously includes the press that comments on the change from the "Classic" Lightfoot voice has not been much of a follower of GL for the past 21 years. The "Classic" Lightfoot voice has not been with us since the "Salute" album which was vintage 1983. So for them to comment on the state of his voice at this late date certainly shows that they are only a casual follower at best.
And considering that his recent health crisis almost ended his life, he should be cut a little slack if he sounds a little weak in the vocal cords. Besides, he is 67 years old what would you expect! If a person who goes to a Gordon Lightfoot concert expects to hear the voice of a 20,30 or early 40 year old GL it would be like expecting to see Arnold Schwarzenagger in a speedo NOW looking like he did when he was Mr. Universe! Ain't gonna happen! If you want that wonderful lush baritone voice of Lightfoot with those emotive tremolo accents then listen to the first 16 albums. Only wish there was a video!

Rich Man Spiritual · 06-02-2005, 12:15 AM

Any person and that obviously includes the press that comments on the change from the "Classic" Lightfoot voice has not been much of a follower of GL for the past 21 years. The "Classic" Lightfoot voice has not been with us since the "Salute" album which was vintage 1983. So for them to comment on the state of his voice at this late date certainly shows that they are only a casual follower at best.
And considering that his recent health crisis almost ended his life, he should be cut a little slack if he sounds a little weak in the vocal cords. Besides, he is 67 years old what would you expect! If a person who goes to a Gordon Lightfoot concert expects to hear the voice of a 20,30 or early 40 year old GL it would be like expecting to see Arnold Schwarzenagger in a speedo NOW looking like he did when he was Mr. Universe! Ain't gonna happen! If you want that wonderful lush baritone voice of Lightfoot with those emotive tremolo accents then listen to the first 16 albums. Only wish there was a video!

musky_man · 06-02-2005, 10:30 AM

As I said in a private post to a member here, now that GL is back, it seems the world is now an OK place again and it is spinning on its axis the way it should be.

May sound a little dramatic, but I'd bet there are lots here who feel the same. Although most here have never met the man, including me, he is like a dear old friend that is always there and has something meaningful and timely to say.

I was concerned that my "old Friend" had perhaps met his match 19 months ago .... it was so celibratory to see him up on stage again at Massey .. twice

Cheers all,

musky_man

GJA · 06-02-2005, 04:03 PM

Give me an "older" Gordon Lightfoot anyday rather than some of these young singers who have no idea what a good song and good delivery are. Gordon is "The Man".

GJA · 06-02-2005, 04:03 PM

Give me an "older" Gordon Lightfoot anyday rather than some of these young singers who have no idea what a good song and good delivery are. Gordon is "The Man".

joveski · 06-02-2005, 04:13 PM

violet, i bought the new robert plant album and even though his voice is different, its still better than what he's being doing the last few years... sort of a return to form!

[ June 03, 2005, 19:05: Message edited by: joveski ]

seahawk11 · 06-02-2005, 05:12 PM

I think it has to do with how much a singer pushes it (and the smoking can't help, either). James Taylor sounds exactly the same now as he did in 1971, but he has such a laid back delivery; hard to hurt the vocal chords there. Mick Jagger sounds exactly the same as any period in his career, which isn't saying much. John Hiatt really used to tear it up, great growl!!! But he's lost a step and (I think) had to have vocal chord surgery in the late 90's. Gord really used to put some serious balls behind his vocals way back and I think it can't help but catch up with a person. Personally, I really don't care; I love his songwriting and his music catalog speaks for itself... But then there's an anomaly like Paddy Reilly (Irish music legend, member of The Dubliners). I saw him last summer, just him and a guitar and a microphone. This guy has always put serious bombastic dynamics/balls behind his vocals and is now about 70 years old and still sounds like he did in the 70's...

Sydney Steve · 06-03-2005, 09:17 AM

Superstars in the GL league have something intangible that years will never diminish. It goes so far beyond "voice" . Performance is a multi faceted entity and voice no more makes you a superstar performer than a long slender neck makes you a goose. - (Come to think of it why is it so many people call me a goose - my neck is not slender at all ...???) No matter.

Gord is, as we know ,a musical and lyrical genius who is the minstrel not just of the dawn , but THE MINSTREL by which all are measured.

bjb · 06-03-2005, 12:46 PM

...and reading all the above might give the impression that the voice or tone is weak, but actually he still has a great voice!!! just has to work harder to push the air out

Janice · 06-03-2005, 01:08 PM

I personally don't mind people commenting on Gord's voice not being the same - as long as it is a statement of observation/fact and not a complaint - because the fact of the matter is, his voice has changed over the years. Some say for the better, but definitely not for the worse - it's just different.

There is another great singer/songwriter out there who I came to know voice wise later in his years. I had always loved his songwriting and had known him as such for many years until 2001 when I saw him for the first time in concert. He did an older song of his in that concert that I was unfamiliar with and fell in love with, so I picked up the re-release of the older album on CD that included his recording of it. I found that I much prefered the weathered, aged voice of the live concert than the voice of his prime. The singer/songwriter: Guy Clark; the song: "The Partner Nobody Chose"

All that to agree with everyone else that just because something has changed, doesn't mean that the change isn't just as good, if not better.


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