critics of gordon

11-18-2002, 05:33 PM

i am doing a school project on gordon lightfoot and i was hoping a few of you could answer some questions... it would be a great help

1. What were some og Lightfoot's influences
2. What did others (critics etc.) think of Lightfoot
3. 4 traits the describe him

this would be a great help to me thanks in advance

11-18-2002, 05:33 PM

i am doing a school project on gordon lightfoot and i was hoping a few of you could answer some questions... it would be a great help

1. What were some og Lightfoot's influences
2. What did others (critics etc.) think of Lightfoot
3. 4 traits the describe him

this would be a great help to me thanks in advance

11-18-2002, 05:56 PM

I can answer two of your questions

1- Gord's biggest influence is Bob Dylan

2- His traits? I have met him personally a few times over the past 10 years....
He is personable, more interested in you than he is in himself, he doesn't have a swelled head like some performers might have.
He shows up for every concert unless he is on his deathbed( um ya I know bad karma here given his recent illness)
I would add he's likely a loyal employer.... why else would the guys stay with the same singer after 30 some years?
He believes in being accessible to his fans to a degree, at concerts he often will override a zealous security guard trying to keep fans away from the backstage door.

He remembers that if not for all us buying his CD's going to concerts etc he wouldn't be where he is today and I don't think he ever forgets that.

11-18-2002, 05:56 PM

I can answer two of your questions

1- Gord's biggest influence is Bob Dylan

2- His traits? I have met him personally a few times over the past 10 years....
He is personable, more interested in you than he is in himself, he doesn't have a swelled head like some performers might have.
He shows up for every concert unless he is on his deathbed( um ya I know bad karma here given his recent illness)
I would add he's likely a loyal employer.... why else would the guys stay with the same singer after 30 some years?
He believes in being accessible to his fans to a degree, at concerts he often will override a zealous security guard trying to keep fans away from the backstage door.

He remembers that if not for all us buying his CD's going to concerts etc he wouldn't be where he is today and I don't think he ever forgets that.

Auburn Annie · 11-18-2002, 07:20 PM

http://www.corfid.com/gl/press/press04.htm

That's a review from a music critic which covers both Gord's strengths and perceived weaknesses. There are other reviews and articles. Try a Google search under ["Gordon Lightfoot" +critics] - without the brackets - for more sources.

As for influences, there's some country in early Lightfoot (and his guitar picking is 'Travis' style, as in Merle Travis). He came in about midway to the Great Folk Revival of the 60s, and sang a number of traditional folk songs, especially with Terry Whelan (with whom he formed The Two Tones)before he began concentrating on primarily writing his own songs. He is a huge admirer of Bob Dylan (and I believe the sentiment is returned) but since the 60s his music has been really his own style.

He's disciplined, hardworking, modest, and I'd guess shy - the quintessential Canadian.

Auburn Annie · 11-18-2002, 07:20 PM

http://www.corfid.com/gl/press/press04.htm

That's a review from a music critic which covers both Gord's strengths and perceived weaknesses. There are other reviews and articles. Try a Google search under ["Gordon Lightfoot" +critics] - without the brackets - for more sources.

As for influences, there's some country in early Lightfoot (and his guitar picking is 'Travis' style, as in Merle Travis). He came in about midway to the Great Folk Revival of the 60s, and sang a number of traditional folk songs, especially with Terry Whelan (with whom he formed The Two Tones)before he began concentrating on primarily writing his own songs. He is a huge admirer of Bob Dylan (and I believe the sentiment is returned) but since the 60s his music has been really his own style.

He's disciplined, hardworking, modest, and I'd guess shy - the quintessential Canadian.

SomewhereupinMichigan · 11-18-2002, 07:26 PM

Ryan: For a "feel" on how GL has been received throughout the years by critics one need only look at how Gord is revered in Canada. He has won numerous awards throughout the years. He was one of the top folk performers of the 70s and charted several Top 40 Hits in the States at a time when American pop music was more interested in electric rock than acoustic folk. Unfortunately for the radio-listening public in the late 70s Disco came along and radio has never recovered. Gord, however, has continued to pack in loyal audiences of discriminating listeners right up until today.

gwn snyder · 11-18-2002, 08:26 PM

Gordon is a wonderful,very friendly person,he is always interested in his fans,one time after a show I went to Gordon came outside to a tent set up in the pouring rain just to greet and talk to loyal fans who waited for 45 minutes after the show,he made time for everbody.Needless to say I was impressed with the man.The only other performers I ever saw do this type thing were Harry Chapin, and John Denver,and Peter,Paul and Mary, and to Gordon's credit,they all have great things to say about Gordon Lightfoot. John Denver once said he thought Gordon Lightfoot was the greatest singer songwriter ever and than went on to sing Early Morning Rain.So you could say that Gord has very high praises from not just fans but other great musicians as well.Now that says a lot about a good man. Peace, Randy

LilHoov · 11-18-2002, 08:26 PM

Gordon is a wonderful,very friendly person,he is always interested in his fans,one time after a show I went to Gordon came outside to a tent set up in the pouring rain just to greet and talk to loyal fans who waited for 45 minutes after the show,he made time for everbody.Needless to say I was impressed with the man.The only other performers I ever saw do this type thing were Harry Chapin, and John Denver,and Peter,Paul and Mary, and to Gordon's credit,they all have great things to say about Gordon Lightfoot. John Denver once said he thought Gordon Lightfoot was the greatest singer songwriter ever and than went on to sing Early Morning Rain.So you could say that Gord has very high praises from not just fans but other great musicians as well.Now that says a lot about a good man. Peace, Randy

11-19-2002, 03:07 PM

thank you so much guys you are awesome!

You all answered each of my questions in a different way, that was great... thank you so much I hope i can do more projects on 'Gord' as you guys call him!

thanks

ryan

11-19-2002, 03:07 PM

thank you so much guys you are awesome!

You all answered each of my questions in a different way, that was great... thank you so much I hope i can do more projects on 'Gord' as you guys call him!

thanks

ryan

edmullen · 11-20-2002, 09:51 AM

Ryan, I'd love it if you could share your project with us when you're finished. I'll bet others on this site would be interested too. Good luck with it...I'm sure it will be great!!

steelestavern · 11-20-2002, 09:51 AM

Ryan, I'd love it if you could share your project with us when you're finished. I'll bet others on this site would be interested too. Good luck with it...I'm sure it will be great!!

SilverHeels · 11-20-2002, 04:22 PM

Ryan,

I agree with the others. Please share your
Gord project with us. Would love to read it.

SomewhereupinMichigan · 11-20-2002, 04:39 PM

It's unanimous. Good luck with the project!

polishbeer · 11-23-2002, 08:23 AM

Don't forget Pete Seeger who put the guitar in Gordon's wonderful hands. Kudos to all who did have influence but he did it all on his own. It's unique and wonderful. There's just a sound that you don't get from anyone else. Very special.
Paula

------------------
Paula

paula1964 · 11-23-2002, 08:23 AM

Don't forget Pete Seeger who put the guitar in Gordon's wonderful hands. Kudos to all who did have influence but he did it all on his own. It's unique and wonderful. There's just a sound that you don't get from anyone else. Very special.
Paula

------------------
Paula

BILLW · 11-23-2002, 03:26 PM

Watchman,

That's one of the things I like about you - you'd debate gravity with an acorn. I have to agree though. Gordon could not have achieved the heights he has all by himself and you're also correct in that he always acknowldges the help from others, a real gentleman if there ever was one. By the way Ryan: are you still with us?

Bill

Rebecca · 11-23-2002, 04:54 PM

[B]Watchman,

you'd debate gravity with an acorn.

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rebecca

Brian 57 · 11-23-2002, 09:36 PM

Never argue with acorns-- they're nuts.

socialvandal · 11-23-2002, 11:15 PM

One trait I haven't seen mentioned yet is that he's extremely "family-oriented".

GJA · 12-12-2002, 09:38 AM

been a long time since the last post but i figured i would add my 2 cents :P This has been a big help on my project too and am very grateful to know people like you who are willing to help. its bin along time since anybody has actually done anything helping towards me homeork wise.. rest of the people just say dont do it... which ive obviously considered but decided since its worth 10% of our mark then i guess i should do it. and about arguing with acorns. nice job.. no clu wut ur talking about but it gave me n my friend a good laugh.."dont argue with acrorns, they're nuts" Good one

anywys i talk to ya'll later.

------------------
Derek

Spike_Bladefist · 12-12-2002, 09:38 AM

been a long time since the last post but i figured i would add my 2 cents :P This has been a big help on my project too and am very grateful to know people like you who are willing to help. its bin along time since anybody has actually done anything helping towards me homeork wise.. rest of the people just say dont do it... which ive obviously considered but decided since its worth 10% of our mark then i guess i should do it. and about arguing with acorns. nice job.. no clu wut ur talking about but it gave me n my friend a good laugh.."dont argue with acrorns, they're nuts" Good one

anywys i talk to ya'll later.

------------------
Derek

Steve DeRosa · 12-13-2002, 10:31 AM

Derek,

You are obviously an intelligent guy, with good taste in music! Best of luck with your project, you've made a good choice in picking Gordon Lightfoot to write your report about. Good thinking!

It's too bad to hear that you haven't had much encouragement from people in regards to your homework. I know homework is a pain...trust me...I've done my share! Now I have 3 kids and I see how much time and effort they have to put into their homework every night and I know it gets tiring for them! Keep up the good work, you are making good choices.

As far as the acorn joke...there are some really "Nutty Guys" on this board, aren't there??!!

Oma · 12-13-2002, 10:31 AM

Derek,

You are obviously an intelligent guy, with good taste in music! Best of luck with your project, you've made a good choice in picking Gordon Lightfoot to write your report about. Good thinking!

It's too bad to hear that you haven't had much encouragement from people in regards to your homework. I know homework is a pain...trust me...I've done my share! Now I have 3 kids and I see how much time and effort they have to put into their homework every night and I know it gets tiring for them! Keep up the good work, you are making good choices.

As far as the acorn joke...there are some really "Nutty Guys" on this board, aren't there??!!


	You are at: Home - Discussion Forum