I re-read that interview a couple more times and saw a few interesting things about it that I would like to share with you folks. Note that these are merely my insights (as I am a fellow songwriter, musician, artist) and I am not intending to stir up any agruements or anything like that, and I just thought I'd share them with you.
I am sure this is not the way things are/were just my observations is all. On that note, let's all buckle up our seat belts this might take a while.
The first observation to me came before the interview even started...
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He wasn't too happy to talk to the Straight, presumably because we had half-panned his last album. The whole conversation was a bit strained at first, but he opened up after a while. The man talks deceptively like John Wayne; I suspect their egos are much the same.
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Granted ANY publication, writer and such has a right to voice their opinions about an artists work, BUT when you start judging someone as an "egomaniac" (that was my impression from that quote) without even knowing the person 5-10 minutes I could see there might be a bit of tension in the air.
I do not recall from reading the MANY postings in the short time I have been reading this forum of anyone mentioning Mr. Lightfoot having an ego like John Wayne. I do not know what John Wayne's ego was like but I will assume that was the writer of the article's inference.
Although this is a site where people post things about Gordon Lightfoot, I am sure in the thousands and thousands of postings here someone would have mentioned something of a bad experience of meeting Mr. Lightfoot. I haven't seen any yet.
Don't get me wrong I am not trying to make Mr. Lightfoot out to be an angel I am sure he has his moments, but we all do and it should be taken for granted that we all have our good days and bad days...even people who are blessed with being able to realize their dream such as Mr. Lightfoot. I mention him as Mr. Lightfoot here because as a fellow artist he has earned my respect, but I also realize he is human too.
Anyway...moving right along....the thing about the Canadian Songwriters Society from what I interpret is just that. He is Canadian I believe and he is a songwriter. I think from what I read here is maybe this interviewer is maybe trying to turn this conversation from a music interview into a political one, but they have the right to do so given all the turmoil going on in 1970, of which Gordon replies:
I don't know why I did it, I have no reason whatsoever.
In my eyes that sort of tells me he is saying "I would like to talk about my music and not nationalism".
And from HERE is where Gordon starts to get a bad case of gas. I would too.
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GS: What are your political views about what happens in this country?
GL: I find it totally unpredictable. I know that we're being inexorably taken over by the Americans. Without a doubt. I don't mean invaded or anything like that, just taken over. By degrees.
(Long pause)
GS: On that happy note...
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Gordon maybe had a right to voice his opinion because of the war and draft dodgers and I think that is where the "taken over" aspect comes in....I am sure there are other aspects too, but WAR and POLITICS are not my thing and that should be posted on a WAR and POLITICS forum. WAR in any form is bad.
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Bruce Bissell (Warner Promo Man): You guys sure have rhythm.
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I translate that as Bruce Bissell being sarcastic and letting the interviewers know they are a-holes and there is tension in the air aka "bad timing for this sort of interview with probably the wrong person".
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GL: Did we keep you waiting?
GS: Sitting down there eating a hamburger and listening to stereo Muzak is not my idea of paradise.
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THAT right there, if I were in Mr. Lightfoot's shoes, would have been the straw that broke the camel's back. Maybe I interpret this wrong but you DO NOT tell someone who is gracious enough to give their time you are not happy about him being late. He was not showing up there for a job interview. The interviewers were there ONLY because Mr. Lightfoot agreed to donate some of his time. HE was NOT there on THEIR time that is not them being very gracious.
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GL: Well, my throat hurts. I should be in bed. I've been boogyin' all night long. And I had to get up to get down here and I want to be back in bed by three.
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THAT in my estimation is Gordon tactfully saying, "Are we done yet I can't wait to get out of here you idiots should be thankful I even showed up."
The rest of the interview from what I read is just Gordon going "blah blah yadda yadda" going through the motions telling them what they want to hear and I would bet my bottom dollar he was looking at his watch between every question.
THE END
Anyway...that is just my impression of things I didn't intend this to be posted as any sort of arguement I just thought I'd present it from an artists point of view upon reading it. I hope you all enjoyed my perspective I can sense there are lots of great folks here thanks for your time I appreciate it!
Also...I am not totally familiar with all of Mr. Lightfoot's material...what is this 25 verse song they mention? I would LOVE to hear it.
Take care and see ya next post.
Also...I NEVER mentioned the FART :P
Steven
