Gord's Gold Vol.2

RaisinSpores · 12-15-2005, 06:59 AM

Does anyone know why GL re-recorded the songs for Gord's Gold Vol.2? I know that he re-recorded the United Artists songs on Gord's Gold Vol.1 because he didn't like the sound of his early records. But why did he re-record the songs for GG2?
Also, I'm interested in people's opinion of GG2--is it worth getting even if I have all of the original recordings? Thanks.

Winter's Claw · 12-15-2005, 06:59 AM

Does anyone know why GL re-recorded the songs for Gord's Gold Vol.2? I know that he re-recorded the United Artists songs on Gord's Gold Vol.1 because he didn't like the sound of his early records. But why did he re-record the songs for GG2?
Also, I'm interested in people's opinion of GG2--is it worth getting even if I have all of the original recordings? Thanks.

mercedes · 12-15-2005, 08:10 AM

Why he re-recorded many of the songs on this release I'm not sure ....

But it's still a great LP / CD and (if you couldn't care less about the nominal outlay) an appropriate bookend in the cabinet to "Volume 1".

Not all of the songs were re-recorded and opinions on this forum will I suspect favour the original tracks over those reworked for this album. I'll refrain from critising any of the cuts (gritting my teeth nonetheless over the "wreck") as I've always treated the compilation as an album in its own right.

It's very much a more relaxed Lightfoot sound right through .... oddly enough (at least to me anyway), if you were to compile a CD with the original tracks in list order, I'd suggest you'd abandon it soon after in favour of this cohesive collection.

Excellent post by the way ...

BILLW · 12-15-2005, 08:11 AM

I think it's very much worth it. I've read a few different reasons why he re-recorded those songs. One was that he wanted to be consistent, since he re-did a number of songs on GG1 he did it on GG2. I've also read he wanted to give a feel of how those songs would sound as if the listener was at one of his concerts...the re-recordings just use the band, plus a few persussion items you'd not hear at a concert.
Plus the ever present fact that Gord is never really happy with himself...he tends to be his own worse critic and probably wanted to change a few things in those songs.

Rob1956 · 12-15-2005, 08:11 AM

I think it's very much worth it. I've read a few different reasons why he re-recorded those songs. One was that he wanted to be consistent, since he re-did a number of songs on GG1 he did it on GG2. I've also read he wanted to give a feel of how those songs would sound as if the listener was at one of his concerts...the re-recordings just use the band, plus a few persussion items you'd not hear at a concert.
Plus the ever present fact that Gord is never really happy with himself...he tends to be his own worse critic and probably wanted to change a few things in those songs.

joveski · 12-15-2005, 03:08 PM

i prefer some versions on this.
cherokee bend
race among the ruins
if its should please you for example./.

RaisinSpores · 12-16-2005, 01:01 AM

I suspected that maybe, as Rob1956 suggests, he was unhappy with some of the original recordings, much the way he was unhappy with the UA recordings. I am most surprised that he remade songs from the period 1970-76, when he was nearly flawless. Thanks for the input.

[ December 16, 2005, 04:19: Message edited by: Winter's Claw ]

Winter's Claw · 12-16-2005, 01:01 AM

I suspected that maybe, as Rob1956 suggests, he was unhappy with some of the original recordings, much the way he was unhappy with the UA recordings. I am most surprised that he remade songs from the period 1970-76, when he was nearly flawless. Thanks for the input.

[ December 16, 2005, 04:19: Message edited by: Winter's Claw ]

12-16-2005, 07:22 PM

One man's opinion....

I was extremely disappointed with the effort. It was
nice to have "If It Should Please You", but the rest was best left to the original recordings, witness the 3 or 4 items that WERE the originals. I think the project was merely a recording contract obligation.

RMD

12-16-2005, 07:22 PM

One man's opinion....

I was extremely disappointed with the effort. It was
nice to have "If It Should Please You", but the rest was best left to the original recordings, witness the 3 or 4 items that WERE the originals. I think the project was merely a recording contract obligation.

RMD

kenny · 12-16-2005, 09:54 PM

Dear mr. unregistered,

Please join the forum we would love to have you!
I probably agree with you the most of all responses! However, beauty is in the eye of the beholder or ear in this circumstance. Anything in my opinion that was recorded from Salute on back and then rerecorded after 1984 is going to be of lesser quality vocally.
I agree that GG2 could have possibly been nothing more than fufilling a contract obligation. I bought it so that I could complete my collection of all 20 of Lightfoot's studio (including Sunday Concert) albums plus his 2 greatest hits albums.
I wish somehow Gord would officially release the Chicago Soundstage show video and also somehow manage to include the full version of CRT that was ended in the middle when the credits were shown.

Rich Man Spiritual · 12-16-2005, 09:54 PM

Dear mr. unregistered,

Please join the forum we would love to have you!
I probably agree with you the most of all responses! However, beauty is in the eye of the beholder or ear in this circumstance. Anything in my opinion that was recorded from Salute on back and then rerecorded after 1984 is going to be of lesser quality vocally.
I agree that GG2 could have possibly been nothing more than fufilling a contract obligation. I bought it so that I could complete my collection of all 20 of Lightfoot's studio (including Sunday Concert) albums plus his 2 greatest hits albums.
I wish somehow Gord would officially release the Chicago Soundstage show video and also somehow manage to include the full version of CRT that was ended in the middle when the credits were shown.

Borderstone · 12-17-2005, 05:29 PM

I'm sorry but it was highly unecessary to re-record,"The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald","Christian Island" & "High and Dry".

They were fine as they were.
(Well,maybe High & Dry was a bit "speedy".

Wesley · 12-17-2005, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Borderstone:
I'm sorry but it was highly unecessary to re-record,"The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald","Christian Island" & "High and Dry".

They were fine as they were.
(Well,maybe High & Dry was a bit "speedy".

Some people just get boreed easily.

Affair on Touhy Ave. · 12-17-2005, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Borderstone:
I'm sorry but it was highly unecessary to re-record,"The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald","Christian Island" & "High and Dry".

They were fine as they were.
(Well,maybe High & Dry was a bit "speedy".

Some people just get boreed easily.

Lindab · 12-18-2005, 05:28 PM

I thought that Gord did that album to introduce his present sound.The petal steel was finally gone forever,so he wanted to show his true updated sound.
I think "ENDLESS WIRE" shouldn't have been redone.
However,I like the wailing lead guitar on the second version of The Wreck.

Robby Lake · 12-18-2005, 05:28 PM

I thought that Gord did that album to introduce his present sound.The petal steel was finally gone forever,so he wanted to show his true updated sound.
I think "ENDLESS WIRE" shouldn't have been redone.
However,I like the wailing lead guitar on the second version of The Wreck.

Wesley · 12-18-2005, 09:10 PM

It's kind of unfortunate that he's decided since the 70s to re-record many of his songs. some including myself have only been mostly familier with those remakes of his 60s stuff though I've been fortunate enough to have discovered internet radio and even one UA best of LP I din't realize I had. My parents never played it. Has a lot of songs featured on the 75 GG 1 LP,sometimes Ithink the re-recordings are 1 little bit better of the originals are pretty good and both have their similarities only know the remake of Ribbon Of Darkness though I get the feeling he really modernised it. I know while both versions of W&W are fast the drum beast on the 2nd version somehow makes it sound so 1975 than 1968. There a yahoo station for Lightfoot and once tried to listen to The Edmund Fitzgerald song and it sounded light the re-recording that whoever it was that mentioned it. BTW the station also includes a re-redording of Race Among the Ruines.doesn't sound good at all. I feel sorry for those who by these best of LP's and are suprised they find thse different version of these songs and find they've wasted their money.

Affair on Touhy Ave. · 12-18-2005, 09:10 PM

It's kind of unfortunate that he's decided since the 70s to re-record many of his songs. some including myself have only been mostly familier with those remakes of his 60s stuff though I've been fortunate enough to have discovered internet radio and even one UA best of LP I din't realize I had. My parents never played it. Has a lot of songs featured on the 75 GG 1 LP,sometimes Ithink the re-recordings are 1 little bit better of the originals are pretty good and both have their similarities only know the remake of Ribbon Of Darkness though I get the feeling he really modernised it. I know while both versions of W&W are fast the drum beast on the 2nd version somehow makes it sound so 1975 than 1968. There a yahoo station for Lightfoot and once tried to listen to The Edmund Fitzgerald song and it sounded light the re-recording that whoever it was that mentioned it. BTW the station also includes a re-redording of Race Among the Ruines.doesn't sound good at all. I feel sorry for those who by these best of LP's and are suprised they find thse different version of these songs and find they've wasted their money.

kenny · 12-18-2005, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TheWatchman:
I really like Gord's Gold II. Endless Wire sounds better than the original. I like all the rest. It's one of my favorite CD's and the 3rd Lightfoot CD tht I ever bought.

I totally disagree but again beauty is in the ear of the beholder. Listen and enjoy in good health!!!

Rich Man Spiritual · 12-18-2005, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TheWatchman:
I really like Gord's Gold II. Endless Wire sounds better than the original. I like all the rest. It's one of my favorite CD's and the 3rd Lightfoot CD tht I ever bought.

I totally disagree but again beauty is in the ear of the beholder. Listen and enjoy in good health!!!

jeffyjo · 12-18-2005, 11:56 PM

All the radio stations here, when they play Wreck, seem to do the GG2 version, not the original. They will also play Sundown, and IYCRMM.

I like GG2 well enough. The new version of I'm Not Supposed To Care is truly atrocious, though.

A lot of really good artists have rerecorded substantial parts of their output to good effect. Merle Haggard is a great example. The originals tend to be "best", but the rerecordings show an interesting look into how the artist feels "now" or whenever they put out the new versions. Sometimes, Hag sings a normally sad song with pep, etc. It provides an important commentary, almost like a concert recording.

RaisinSpores · 12-19-2005, 11:25 AM

Funny you mention Merle Haggard, jeffyjo. I bought a 3-disc greatest hits set by Hag that turned out to be comprised of about half re-records, half originals. All of the classics (the Capitol material) were re-records. I wasn't happy.

There have been quite a few CD's that I've bought that turned out to be made up of re-recordings. I bought a Don McLean greatest hits album that was mostly re-recordings, a Roy Orbison album with no originals, the aforementioned Merle Haggard set, and then there was Ricky Nelson...I have bought THREE different Ricky Nelson greatest hits albums, because the first two didn't have any original recordings! If there's anything that listening to all of these artists remake their hits from long ago has taught me, it is that 40 years of cigarette smoking is not very kind to one's singing voice!

I love the Gord's Gold re-recordings, so I won't count that one. Anyway, the lesson here is that you should research all music purchases online first...and don't smoke--when I first heard Don McLean's remake of "Vincent," I seriously thought it was recorded on the wrong speed or something (my apologies to Don if he doesn't smoke, or even if he does, for that matter)!

Winter's Claw · 12-19-2005, 11:25 AM

Funny you mention Merle Haggard, jeffyjo. I bought a 3-disc greatest hits set by Hag that turned out to be comprised of about half re-records, half originals. All of the classics (the Capitol material) were re-records. I wasn't happy.

There have been quite a few CD's that I've bought that turned out to be made up of re-recordings. I bought a Don McLean greatest hits album that was mostly re-recordings, a Roy Orbison album with no originals, the aforementioned Merle Haggard set, and then there was Ricky Nelson...I have bought THREE different Ricky Nelson greatest hits albums, because the first two didn't have any original recordings! If there's anything that listening to all of these artists remake their hits from long ago has taught me, it is that 40 years of cigarette smoking is not very kind to one's singing voice!

I love the Gord's Gold re-recordings, so I won't count that one. Anyway, the lesson here is that you should research all music purchases online first...and don't smoke--when I first heard Don McLean's remake of "Vincent," I seriously thought it was recorded on the wrong speed or something (my apologies to Don if he doesn't smoke, or even if he does, for that matter)!


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