UNRELEASED SONG - 1965 - An Old Friend

[charlene]

unreleased 1965 - An Old Friend

You Tube

[jj]

one of the many Warner Bros demos… it was exciting when we got our hands on them, and got to see how Gord has evolved since then …thankfully

[jj]

Be still you good old friend, be still you faithful one
You dare not leave my sight

Be still you good old friend, be still and dream your dreams
Of days of youth and love

Be still you good old friend, remember that Christmas tree
Where our two hearts became as one

Recall the fields of hay, where you would romp and run
A small boy at your side

The years have quickly flown, a child I am no more
But I will love you always

Be still you good old friend, be still you faithful one
You dare not leave my sight

[jj]

here is over an hour's worth of this tune and other demos

http://archive.org/serve/gordonlight...64-66demos.mp3

[Affair on Touhy Ave.]

Wonder why it wasn't released the first time?

[jj]

TMK,, we have only heard Echoes of Heroes from live La Cave recording, and a reworked and recorded versions of The Lost Children on Sunday Concert, and Too Much to Lose on Songbook (in an alternate key) … these demos have been in the public's hands for a few decades… i don't know why someone has chosen to recently make videos from the old audio recordings… it would be nice if something unheard surfaces, either posthumously, or humorously

[Affair on Touhy Ave.]

Well maybe the video is silly but at least we heard a good song.

[Andy T.]

Wasn't this song supposed to be about his dog?

[jj]

"This is the gem of this entire collection, from my point of view. An
excellent song that has some of Lightfoot's most lonesome singing ever. The
lyrics don't tell half the tale here. This vocal preformance, featuring
Lightfoot ooh-ing to start each verse, sends chills. And to think, it was
written to a dog!" - Wayne Francis

[nvtmusic]

- thanks for posting this
--great song,
mike

[jj]

yeah, another silly video… stick to the Warner Demo audio links

[Melissa]

I simply don't "get" why scenes from the movie "Broadcast News" were used as the backdrop for this recording by whomever did the YouTube video. Anyone have a clue?

Melissa

[Affair on Touhy Ave.]

These things are common with many YT uploads of songs whether old or new.

Sometimes good and sometimes not.

We just have to at least be thankful when they are no matter what because some of these are hard to find.

[Melissa]

Absolutely agree. Always great to discover new gems.
I just found this one (perhaps someone else has already posted it here......)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eVKGiBRwtU

Melissa

You Tube

[jj]

Melissa is you haven't heard An Old Friend then you must not have the Warner Demos? I can get all to you if so…. All the videos are a bit of a hoot that way…i don't watch them

[Affair on Touhy Ave.]

Since this was posted I've been thinking, beginning in the 90's there've been various box sets of stuff released of various artists which often included songs that for whatever reasons were never released and you gotta wonder why?

It's amazing they were even saved.

Here's another and sounds like he had The Clancy Brothers in mind when he recorded this.

Gordon Lightfoot - Cod liver oil (1964) - YouTube

[Affair on Touhy Ave.]

Originally Posted by charlene

unreleased 1965 - An Old Friend http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXJYb...yhSn17ehB_7hmg

Just listening to this song again and maybe I sound goofy but with this but this song reminds me of winter.

I don't know why but it does.

[lighthead2toe]

Hey guys, thanks so much for sharing all this really great stuff.

Hearing these tunes grounds me to the replay button and from there I'm lost again in that era of the early Lightfoot world where I truly belong. By the time the second cup of coffee rolls around I've got the old D18 out and in fine tune. Just strike the chord.

But what a most gratifying excuse though to not go outside because it's February cold here in TO town and it seems I've been conveniently caught by the minstrel's misfortune once again and make no apologies.

Life sure is pretty good and I'm convinced that this music has it's own unique way of making life better and easier for those who are open and appreciative of the power that music really has. And more so if it's the stuff that you're really into. This is the music that made the biggest impression on me, in my life. lighthead2toe signing off as the shades of night are lifting.