From one extreme to the next...

ricky Jay · 08-06-2005, 07:41 PM

Before I ever listened to GL's music, I thought I never cared for the sound of anything remotely country in most music. The song that helped me become a GL fan was The Wreck, but little did I ever know that there was SO much more to this man's career than just that. Believe it or not, less than 2 years ago, I had never even HEARD of GL! I heard Wreck several times on the radio and loved it (and believe it or not I think that it was the GG2 version) and I kept waiting for the DJ to say who sang the song, and when I heard the name Gordon Lightfoot, I checked his name on Amazon and saw that he had all these albums, and then purchased Sundown and Summertime Dream first, and then I went from there.

I loved the folk-country sound of these songs and I did not even realize (in retrospect) that I wasn't forcing myself to like the genre, either. As I am getting more and more of his albums, something extremely ironic (for my case, however) is happening...

For the first time ever, I am having trouble loving non-folky-country music (other kinds of music that I listened to that I thought I loved...and of course, I still do LIKE) in the way that I currently love GL's style of music. I listen to all the other non-GL albums (non-folk-country) that I still do like/love, but sometimes a voice in my head goes, "Well, I think I like folk better, or music with a country sound," and I used to dislike (or THOUGHT I disliked) that kind of sound...I still DON'T care to listen to any country music on the radio though...this "old-school" country sound in GL's music is the kind I seem to love...it's just that I used to be so averse to country-sounds in music, and now that I have grown to love GL's music, I am having TROUBLE (LOL) loving other types of music equally.

From one extreme to the next, right? :D :D :D

[ August 06, 2005, 23:09: Message edited by: Shazia ]

Shazia · 08-06-2005, 07:41 PM

Before I ever listened to GL's music, I thought I never cared for the sound of anything remotely country in most music. The song that helped me become a GL fan was The Wreck, but little did I ever know that there was SO much more to this man's career than just that. Believe it or not, less than 2 years ago, I had never even HEARD of GL! I heard Wreck several times on the radio and loved it (and believe it or not I think that it was the GG2 version) and I kept waiting for the DJ to say who sang the song, and when I heard the name Gordon Lightfoot, I checked his name on Amazon and saw that he had all these albums, and then purchased Sundown and Summertime Dream first, and then I went from there.

I loved the folk-country sound of these songs and I did not even realize (in retrospect) that I wasn't forcing myself to like the genre, either. As I am getting more and more of his albums, something extremely ironic (for my case, however) is happening...

For the first time ever, I am having trouble loving non-folky-country music (other kinds of music that I listened to that I thought I loved...and of course, I still do LIKE) in the way that I currently love GL's style of music. I listen to all the other non-GL albums (non-folk-country) that I still do like/love, but sometimes a voice in my head goes, "Well, I think I like folk better, or music with a country sound," and I used to dislike (or THOUGHT I disliked) that kind of sound...I still DON'T care to listen to any country music on the radio though...this "old-school" country sound in GL's music is the kind I seem to love...it's just that I used to be so averse to country-sounds in music, and now that I have grown to love GL's music, I am having TROUBLE (LOL) loving other types of music equally.

From one extreme to the next, right? :D :D :D

[ August 06, 2005, 23:09: Message edited by: Shazia ]

GJA · 08-06-2005, 07:46 PM

Well, Gordon does that to a person. I really wasn't aquainted with his music other than IYCRMM, The Wreck, Sundown, EMR....then I started seeing the ads for Songbook and I bought Gords Gold....and now I'm hooked forever. It doesn't hurt that he is such a sexy guy, too!!

GJA · 08-06-2005, 07:46 PM

Well, Gordon does that to a person. I really wasn't aquainted with his music other than IYCRMM, The Wreck, Sundown, EMR....then I started seeing the ads for Songbook and I bought Gords Gold....and now I'm hooked forever. It doesn't hurt that he is such a sexy guy, too!!

Borderstone · 08-07-2005, 07:12 PM

Shazia,the fact you prefer older sounding country and Gordon Lightfoot means a couple of things.

You have a old soul despite being young.

You have a good heart and need music that actually displays real emotion.

You are both complex and simplistic at the same time.
(Not "simple" as in uneducated by the way! :D )

You want to live in te 1970's!~

Okay..maybe that;s stretching it a bit! :D

Gord H · 08-07-2005, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Borderstone:
[QBYou want to live in te 1970's!~

Okay..maybe that;s stretching it a bit! :D [/QB]

Hey now I lived in the 70's when GL was in his prime :D Just wished I was old enough to see him live back then...

Tricia · 08-07-2005, 10:08 PM

I was fortunate to see Gordon Lightfoot live at Michigan State University in the early 70's. It was a great preformance even with the technical difficulties they had. Gord promised they would get things fixed and he did and the concert was great. the second time I saw him in concert was in Detroit in the late 80's or early 90's. It was his birthday. And his performance was fantastic.

keltiklady · 08-07-2005, 10:08 PM

I was fortunate to see Gordon Lightfoot live at Michigan State University in the early 70's. It was a great preformance even with the technical difficulties they had. Gord promised they would get things fixed and he did and the concert was great. the second time I saw him in concert was in Detroit in the late 80's or early 90's. It was his birthday. And his performance was fantastic.

Tricia · 08-07-2005, 10:22 PM

I was introduced to Gordon Lightfoot very early by my cousins who lived in Leamington, Ontario. Every time I went over to visit my cousins, I would check to see if there was a new Gordon Lightfoot album out. The early albums I was not able to get over here in Michigan. It wasn't really until Gord had a couple of songs hit the popular charts here in the States that I could find a few of his albums. But, I still relied on my Canadian sources to keep me current on his latest album. I have been a fan since the mid-sixties and I am 51 years young. I can't wait until I can see him in concert again. Yes I know he is going to be at Interlochen in Northern Michigan. I did not find out about the concert until it was too late to ge the time off from work. I'm hoping I will be able to hook up one or more of his concerts next year.
Gordon Lightfoot has given so much of his self through his music. His music has touched so many people and reached a very special place in my heart.

keltiklady · 08-07-2005, 10:22 PM

I was introduced to Gordon Lightfoot very early by my cousins who lived in Leamington, Ontario. Every time I went over to visit my cousins, I would check to see if there was a new Gordon Lightfoot album out. The early albums I was not able to get over here in Michigan. It wasn't really until Gord had a couple of songs hit the popular charts here in the States that I could find a few of his albums. But, I still relied on my Canadian sources to keep me current on his latest album. I have been a fan since the mid-sixties and I am 51 years young. I can't wait until I can see him in concert again. Yes I know he is going to be at Interlochen in Northern Michigan. I did not find out about the concert until it was too late to ge the time off from work. I'm hoping I will be able to hook up one or more of his concerts next year.
Gordon Lightfoot has given so much of his self through his music. His music has touched so many people and reached a very special place in my heart.

ricky Jay · 08-07-2005, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by keltiklady:
I was fortunate to see Gordon Lightfoot live at Michigan State University in the early 70's. It was a great preformance even with the technical difficulties they had. Gord promised they would get things fixed and he did and the concert was great. the second time I saw him in concert was in Detroit in the late 80's or early 90's. It was his birthday. And his performance was fantastic.

I went to Michigan State, now everytime I set foot on that campus I know that GL may have stepped on the same pavement :D :D :D

Shazia · 08-07-2005, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by keltiklady:
I was fortunate to see Gordon Lightfoot live at Michigan State University in the early 70's. It was a great preformance even with the technical difficulties they had. Gord promised they would get things fixed and he did and the concert was great. the second time I saw him in concert was in Detroit in the late 80's or early 90's. It was his birthday. And his performance was fantastic.

I went to Michigan State, now everytime I set foot on that campus I know that GL may have stepped on the same pavement :D :D :D

ricky Jay · 08-08-2005, 12:05 AM

Borderstone I like your theories :D

Shazia · 08-08-2005, 12:05 AM

Borderstone I like your theories :D

Sheryl · 08-08-2005, 03:36 PM

Yes, very well said, Borderstone! And, Shazia, the same thing happened to me, too! I didn't want to listen to anything BUT GL after I got back into him!

The Rez · 08-11-2005, 01:39 AM

Evenin'

I figure from one extreme to the next isn't so bad - as long as the bullet strikes.

That's when the music hits home - the heart. In a live show, it's that moment of connection where the magic begins.

It seems to depend on the need going on at the time w/ me. With the advent (to me) of all the music I've loved across time being available again on CD, I'm buying stuff in all sorts of genres.

But, like y'all, Gord holds a silent spot of reverance reserved for only his music. Hearing all these new/old CDs is re-discovery time.

Being raised first on Grand Ol' Opry, I've loved Hank Sr, etc. But then came Brother Ray, Elvis, James Brown; and then came (for me) Charlie Parker, Billy Holliday, Pops, Miles Davis, Herbie Mann; and then the folk stuff got me, too.

Pete Seger, Woody Guthrie, The Weavers, Kingston Trio, PPM, then Gord, John Stewart, etc.

Tonite I needed Brother Ray - Drown in My Own Tears - Newport Jazz '58. Earlier, it was Loretta Lynn (w/ Jack White)- Van Leer Rose. But, I too always - always - have Gord in my day.

If you ever get to see a traditional production of Rigaletto - do. Grand Opera is great. All sorts of blood, guts, murder, mahem, & romance, carried by music so fine it's OK not to understand Italian, or whatever. Hey, the first Opera I ever saw was in English, and I still couldn't understand what they were sayin' That's the time for a good Libretto (lyric sheet)

To paraphrase that famous bumper sticker: So much music, so little time.

It all comes down to matters of the heart and touch of the master's hand.

I guess I agree (musically) w/ the guy who wrote Berkeley Woman, "I'd no sooner love just one kind of woman than drink only one kind of wine."

And then there's Gord. Passion (to me) is what puts a person in their prime, not youth. When the passion stops, I most likely stop listening. That hasn't happened w/ Gord - and I don't suspicion it ever will - just like Brother Ray - to the final breath, Miguel.

Enough rambling. Time to dance all night to the 78s.

Blessings,

The Rez

bjb · 08-11-2005, 11:15 AM

Hi Rez,
You sure have experienced lots of music -- gives me hints of some things to check out

<<But, I too always - always - have Gord in my day.>>

Absolutely.

Borderstone · 08-11-2005, 04:05 PM

Hey Shazia!

You're welcome!

Thanks to you sheryl also!

After taking a chance and buying Songbook (at $62.00) on Aug. 7th,2001. I "had" to see him when he came to Phoenix on Aug. 6th of the following year!

After those 2 happenings,I was hooked and went and got every possible Gordon Lightfoot LP and/or CD. :D I also thought to myself,"Why didn't I get into this sooner?!"


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