I noticed that in the line, "One day up near Salinas, Lord, I let her slip away". Most versions pronounce Salinas (California) SAL LEE' NUS. Lightfoot's version pronounces it "SAL LINE' US (Salina, Kansas is pronounced this way with the exception of the S at the end). Is this just one of GL's weird (or Canadian) pronunciation quirks or did he have his geography mixed up?
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"I'll see you all next Saturday..."
Could be he just liked the way it sounded...he heard Kris playing it in a hotel room and I think it was Red Shea who brought his attention to it and said he needed to record it. So I imagine he heard how Kris pronounced it and thought his way sounded better for him.. The tune takes us on a ride through California so I'm sure he knew it was Salinas, California..
I don't know if it was the regional accent or what, but Gord has had a few "alternate pronunciations" over the years. Not sure if it was choice, habit or what. I'm sure I'm not the only one that, at one time, thought Gord was singing about a ship "The Hammer Star" instead of "Bahama Star" in Yarmouth Castle...
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"May this world find a resting place... where Peaceful Waters flow..."
Me and Bobby McGee
