Hidden Masterpieces

[Doug Mullins]

Over the last few weeks while writing up my thesis, I had the opportunity to listen to Gords albums back the front and came across some songs which haven't eally been talked about, but I think are better than some of his well known stuff. These include:

If I could: I don't see why this doesn't rate among FLM, EMR, DSMMN and those other popular songs from the UA days. That little bass riff b/t verses and the tune - a true masterpiece!

Cabaret: Never liked this at first, but coming back it now - woo-hoo!. The slow part doesn't do much, but the faster part is just magic. Does anyone know what the idea of that crack and Gord clearing his throat is supposed to to mean?. Another hidden gem.

Farewell annabel: haunting little ditty that I never tire of. It's just so perfect, but no one talks about it.

Salute & Broken Dreams: best songs are first and last on this album, but they don't get much public fanfare

I'd rather press on: Hidden towards the end of WFY, but no one talks about it

There's my $0.56. Any other ideas????

[joveski]

Over the last few weeks while writing up my thesis, I had the opportunity to listen to Gords albums back the front and came across some songs which haven't eally been talked about, but I think are better than some of his well known stuff. These include:

If I could: I don't see why this doesn't rate among FLM, EMR, DSMMN and those other popular songs from the UA days. That little bass riff b/t verses and the tune - a true masterpiece!

Cabaret: Never liked this at first, but coming back it now - woo-hoo!. The slow part doesn't do much, but the faster part is just magic. Does anyone know what the idea of that crack and Gord clearing his throat is supposed to to mean?. Another hidden gem.

Farewell annabel: haunting little ditty that I never tire of. It's just so perfect, but no one talks about it.

Salute & Broken Dreams: best songs are first and last on this album, but they don't get much public fanfare

I'd rather press on: Hidden towards the end of WFY, but no one talks about it

There's my $0.56. Any other ideas????

The "crack" is the sound of him removing the capo from his guitar. That, and his "sigh of relief" I think symbolize a release, a freedom from the restraints of the confining,
almost classical feel of the first part of the song. He then breaks into the much more
loose, rambling country-folk style at the end. I'm glad you mentioned this song - a sleeper for sure. The latter half should have been a song unto itself - might have been a hit!

The "crack" is the sound of him removing the capo from his guitar. That, and his "sigh of relief" I think symbolize a release, a freedom from the restraints of the confining,
almost classical feel of the first part of the song. He then breaks into the much more
loose, rambling country-folk style at the end. I'm glad you mentioned this song - a sleeper for sure. The latter half should have been a song unto itself - might have been a hit!

[vlmagee]

Um, at the risk of opening this up to further debate, that "crack" (in Cabaret) has been acknowledged to be the sound of a beer can being opened. Although, I have to admit there was a theory about it being a Zippo lighter ... but I won't go into that.

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Valerie Magee

Visit my GL web site at gordonlightfoot.com

[Carlos Mendes-Rosa]

One I really like that no one ever mentions:

Sixteen Miles (To Seven Lakes)
-from the Lightfoot! album

[supaiblue]

One I really like that no one ever mentions:

Sixteen Miles (To Seven Lakes)
-from the Lightfoot! album

[Florian]

One of the (many) lesser known masterpieces in my view: Apology.

The reason reason that this song is rather unknown might be the fact that it appeared on the album Sunday Concert, and the whole album has not received the acknowledgement it should have.

For me, this song is amazing, as it is a very personal and honest song.

So as soon as you are done reading this post, get up, grab your copy of "Sunday Concert" and give this song a spin.

Tell me what you think about it.

Val,
Just wondering if the acknowledgement was from Gord himself? A beer can kinda shatters the romanticism, doesn't it? Not that the capo is any more so. Do you know? Thanks!

Val,
Just wondering if the acknowledgement was from Gord himself? A beer can kinda shatters the romanticism, doesn't it? Not that the capo is any more so. Do you know? Thanks!

[joveski]

to me it also sounds like a beer can opening. And then Gord drinks some and gets ready for the last part of the song. That's what I thought initially, and then I said "nah, it can't be". But it sure sounds like it. As for removing the capo, isn't the whole song played without a capo?. I hope I haven't been doing it wrong!. Plus, when I remove my capo, I don't that cracking sound

[vlmagee]

quote:Originally posted by wolfebay:
Val,
Just wondering if the acknowledgement was from Gord himself?

Yes. After months of lively discussion on the Internet, a fan finally had an opportunity to ask Gord. (It wasn't me). So now people content themselves with writing verses to the monumental epic, Wreck Of The Zippo Lighter. You think I'm kidding? I'm not ...



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Valerie Magee

Visit my GL web site at gordonlightfoot.com

[rainydayperson]

I find it rather hard to swallow (pardon the pun) that any true Canadian would lower himself to actually drink beer from, of all containers, a can.

[classicmixdj]

I find it rather hard to swallow (pardon the pun) that any true Canadian would lower himself to actually drink beer from, of all containers, a can.

[charlene]

Florian - I love APOLOGY too!
His voice is so full of the emotion - I close my eyes and see his beautiful young face with that earnest look he can have on stage even now and I am breathless.
I let myself surrender....
Char

[charlene]

Florian - I love APOLOGY too!
His voice is so full of the emotion - I close my eyes and see his beautiful young face with that earnest look he can have on stage even now and I am breathless.
I let myself surrender....
Char

[Bill]

The beer was probably Fosters that use to only come in big "quart" cans! See pics in songbooks over the years.

[Wingdrops]

I don't know what it really is, but to me that cracking noise sounds like a cabaret singer stepping up to the microphone and switching it on.

Given the song title, it strikes me that was the effect Gord was seeking, no matter how it was achieved.

[2Much2Lose]

I don't know what it really is, but to me that cracking noise sounds like a cabaret singer stepping up to the microphone and switching it on.

Given the song title, it strikes me that was the effect Gord was seeking, no matter how it was achieved.

[TheCromulentChipster]

I've mentioned a few times on here that I think Saturday Clothes is a hidden masterpiece. From the same album, so is Your Love's Return. Take a look at those lyrics below:

Let me come in my pretty one
And try to undo what I have done
For I must be forgiven now
I will not lose what I have won

Roses are waiting for dewdrops to fall
Climbing your windows and walls
Leaves in the garden are falling, calling
Listen to them talk about your love's return

wow.

Also, does anybody else really dig, The List?

[Big Blue]

I've mentioned a few times on here that I think Saturday Clothes is a hidden masterpiece. From the same album, so is Your Love's Return. Take a look at those lyrics below:

Let me come in my pretty one
And try to undo what I have done
For I must be forgiven now
I will not lose what I have won

Roses are waiting for dewdrops to fall
Climbing your windows and walls
Leaves in the garden are falling, calling
Listen to them talk about your love's return

wow.

Also, does anybody else really dig, The List?

[Auburn Annie]

quote:Originally posted by Bill:
The beer was probably Fosters that use to only come in big "quart" cans! See pics in songbooks over the years.

I believe it was a Budweiser - if memory serves there was a somewhat lengthy discussion on alt.music.lightfoot, and Richard Harison supplied the brand (he may have been there at the time - Richard?). The "zippo" post link is http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=e...ng-cm1.aol.com

If that doesn't work, go to Google Groups, enter "Richard Harison" +zippo and I think it's the first post (that's one "r" in Harison.)

Sorry Derek. The legend lives on.

[Auburn Annie]

quote:Originally posted by Bill:
The beer was probably Fosters that use to only come in big "quart" cans! See pics in songbooks over the years.

I believe it was a Budweiser - if memory serves there was a somewhat lengthy discussion on alt.music.lightfoot, and Richard Harison supplied the brand (he may have been there at the time - Richard?). The "zippo" post link is http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=e...ng-cm1.aol.com

If that doesn't work, go to Google Groups, enter "Richard Harison" +zippo and I think it's the first post (that's one "r" in Harison.)

Sorry Derek. The legend lives on.

[Borderstone]

Looking At The Rain has never got a mention here,as far as I know. It's a pretty good ballad. Supaiblue beat me to mentioning,"Sixteen Miles to Seven Lakes",which is the last song on side 1 of my second self-recorded GL tapes! GL's shortest song too! Later!

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Borderstone - AZ's answer to GL! (but what was the question?)

[This message has been edited by Borderstone (edited October 11, 2003).]

[johnfowles]

quote:Originally posted by brink:
if you listen well and the song is loud you can hear him drinking (not the zippo)the beer.
too good a cue to miss the opportunity of showing my very favourite beer label again.




Interesting about the "crack" I immediately when I first heard Cabaret (Many years ago) decided it was the sound of a guitar string breaking. Whilst talking about this great song I personally always get the "hairs on the back of my neck" feeling when the rythym increases in speed at the end of the slow and gorgeous intro. Another thought I think it is usual to take North Ontario at "face value" but since he is referring around that part of the song to Mendocino and Reno could this be in fact the Los Angeles suburb of North Ontario?? One day I might actually remember to ask the man himself if I am lucky enough to be able to see him backstage just one more time



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My Gordon Lightfoot webring
starts at
http://www.johnfowles.org.uk/lightfoot