RMD - thinking of Waronker and working with Gordon, I was in Border's bookstore the other day and looked at a Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock.
Naturally, I looked up Lightfoot. I read of many fascinating things it had to say that I've never ran across elsewhere.
One such noteable ort written of Waronker was that he was alleged to have said that particularly during the '70 - '74 time period, he had two principle "cash cows" in his money-making stable....... Gordon, and James Taylor.
This of course, being written word, and therefor intrinsically suspect unless verified as third to nth-hand information, we take with a grain of salt.
Out of context, it makes Waronker sound like a lamb-slaughtering sycophant kneeling before the graven image of imaginary "&if music = Lightfoot or JT &then &goto &routine I'mrich! &else &then &goto &routine whatnow?" gods.
Read in context, it sounds like he acted as a likely very greatful and symbiotically beneficial colleague and collaborator of Gordon's..... truthfully admitting the financially ballooning sales since IYCRMM as a mutual windfall.
This then read as projecting as geometrically growing sales from there, which peaked as I read from IYCRMM as the big bang relative beginning, expanding to the profitable universe to come of Sundown and finally TWOTEF. And glad of it, and greatful for the mutual benefit and collaboration.
This of course is of no real news to any ardent fan of Gord's, but was a unique and interesting read over in Border's "Java WI-FI Cafe" try before you buy book-reading area.
Of course, the list was much longer, but GL and JT were purported to be his first response upon inquiry of who his big money-makers were.
You know, it makes my cheeks draw back on my face to think of someone relegating Lightfoot's incredible artistry flipantly and disrespectfully to that of a cold, hard cash-money maker to Waronker.
I am not encumbered by so much naivete that I think that professional contracts with recording artists are not viewed as business, and profit and loss columns.
One need only pause and consider the name of one of two major recording artists chart positions yardsticks i.e. "cashbox" to be reminded of that. That's life in the big city.
Conversely, I'm also respectful of the struggling young singer/songwriter's plight to make a living and even eat as they build their early career stages.
Money is not a dirty word IMHO, only the sad focus it can be so often in lieu of what earns it - hard work, talent, sweat, and genuine gifted artistry in Gord's case when he was first enjoying the first glimpse of burgeoning stardom, and being able to pay his bills just like us.
But I fondly recall early accounts of his humble way of carrying one worn leather suitcase, with two pair of pants and two shirts; one for each set. This may be a romanticized tale, but it's worth believing; and in keeping with his ubiquitous examples of humility.
I've read as I believe we all have of Gord's strong appreciation of Waronker's great job he did in Gord's genuine best interest. I also do not feel Machiavellian about real world business.
Especially, there are major redeeming factors- as in the reality that Waronker did in fact by common report, and Gord's own admission, play a key role in building his career during what perhaps GL has thought of as his "prime" in retrospect; e.g. "A Painter Passing Through"'s lyrics.
In his on again and off again admirable self-deprecating way, lest he be thought of as arrogant.
Another lazy morning; Mr. Hoot and Holler; Gotta Make a Dollar - facts of a life. I only wish we were ALL blessed with similar magnificent gifts of genius such as Gord's in our own ken, or area of talent, hobby, work, or gift to others.
To embrace such a talent that must give pause even to Gord himself in quiet moments of soul-stirring introspection, where one can only hope he is able to quite literally think and dream out loud in his mesmerizing style of woven prose and melody that reminds us to stop and smell the roses, and give thanks for our unique individual talents.
If I were as good a map-maker and geodetic surveyor as Gordon is a song-smith and performer; I'd someday be known as another Leroy Talman; Galileo,Ptolemy,Euler, Fremont, Hayden, Powell, or any number of far greater talents than my own.
I'd feel blessed even more so in so many aspects of my life, based upon not that of rarified talent of the magnitude Gordon posesses ......but rather that of what I sincerely hope at this stage of his legendary career and iconic status.....
-That he can truly bask in the well-earned alpenglow of a man humbly realizing that indeed, he has more than made his mark, and earned the respect of his peers and fans crossing in excess of three generations to date, and likely permanent acknowledgement and enjoyment of his life's work for perpetuity.
I hope he really DOES know how just how good he IS, not just WAS when I hear him sing of when he was in "his prime" and there came Mr. Cool).
To me, and I know most of you, he always will be a legend, a symbol of everything wonderfully Canadian, and a permanently recognized major composer of magnificent music.
I think of Lake Louise in Banff, The Valley of Ten Peaks in B.C. (as I recall from young camping trips with my dear departed father..), and on to the manificent Jasper Athabasca Glacier trekking area, deep green forests to silent to be real....canoeing and kayaking Northern Territories sub-arctic waters for powerful 800-mile trips, whispers of the North, geese flying south as the leaves turn to gold when the weather turns to cold.
.... and a great man I admire enjoying the view more and more from the warmth of a place he can call home... and see from his backyard. And a man who has helped me to remember my Dad as indeed with the scrimshaw that he had....
But for now, that Restless yearning that still calls him to CareFree Highways (OK a Learjet now LOL..), and his perpetual quest (for which there is an answer) to give and give and give, and dig for one more guitar pick out of his pocket while sheepishly grinning at an adoring audience....
The Living Legend continues as a testament to strength, character, humility, life's lessons already learned, and his God-given gift to bring us peace and warmth in our heart in what all too often seems a cold world.... until we reminded once again, by the Man.
Long live Gordon Lightfoot and his Legacy, may the boat Silverheel fall into the right British Lady's hands, and may we all glide glide glide all day listening in our minds to whispers of the North, all things beautiful, and sunlight hitting handles on heirloom cups, so that the next generation can continue his Legacy.
And someday, when he finds the answer to his quest, and no longer needs to shout across the shore, with a rusty sword in hand, and finally feels no pain by the grace of his love for us all and his dear family...then someday, not too soon, he will pass on, with his boots on, axe in hand, and finds his home made of stone, and the homefires keep on burning and yearning for him; one of two men I will admire for all my days on this earth the most - my father, and Gordon Lightfoot.
God Bless him and all he has given us. May he continue playing right on into the sky when his time someday comes, and finally come to rest, with his Eagle in her nest, in the trees, in the arboreal splendor he will always paint for us in word and melody, by the Long River that flows right by our own window, thanks to Gordon.
Well, that may have only tied in on Lenny Waronker to start, but that is what came out this morning, after listening to Gord on the CD on the very careful Highway home from visiting my wife, soon to be out of the hospital per se, at least...and once again I was comforted by Gord's music on the drive home while she gets better.
Hey friends I am sorry for this long, long post, but I hope you could feel some of what I felt this morning listening to Gord at sunrise.
May all of you enjoy peace and companionship in corfid today... and Gord's music as a backdrop for real life as it goes on for you today. Have a good day all friends. I am tired, and this all just poured out like the whiskey of the Highlands..... thanks for bearing with the long read if you did. Peace to you all, later....
geo Steve
[/QUOTE]Fair enough. We may be dealing with semantics here.
