Gordon Lightfoot Tribute

Gordon Meredith Lightfoot Junior, was born November 17, 1938 and passed May 1, 2023 in Toronto. Many tributes have followed since his passing, many more are to come, as they should to celebrate the life and music of a Canadian icon. This program honours his contribution by sharing stories and songs you may not be as familiar with

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:00

This is Acoustic Avenue. I'm Ted Croat, your host in Seminar in British Columbia, with co-producer Joe Little in Calgary in Alberta. On Acoustic Avenue, we recognize with respect and gratitude that these lands where we live and work and make our music remain home to a number of indigenous nations and people. We acknowledge this land out of respect for the indigenous nations who have cared for Turtle Island, also called North America, from before the arrival of settler peoples until this day. Today is a special tribute that brings us to the end of another year. Gordon Meredith Lightfoot, Jr., who was born November 17th, 1938, and passed away May 1, 2023, in Toronto, Ontario. Many tributes have followed since his passing. Many more are to come as they should to celebrate the life and music of a Canadian icon. This program honors his contribution by sharing stories and songs some of you may not be as familiar with. Gordon Lightfoot began singing at a young age in the church choir in Aurelia, Ontario, known as the local boy with the golden voice. He participated in local talent shows and amateur contests, showcasing his musical talents as a singer and guitarist. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Lightfoot began performing at local coffee houses and clubs in Toronto and throughout Canada, where he gained experience and exposure as a live performer. He also performed at folk festivals, which were popular during that era, and provided a platform for emerging folk musicians to share their music. These early performances helped Lightfoot hone his skills as a musician and build a reputation within the local music scene. They laid the foundation for his later success and contributed to the development of his unique musical style. Over time, Lightfoot's talent and dedication to his craft led to his rise as one of Canada's most revered singer, songwriters, and performers within the folk and folk rock genres. During his career, he recorded 20 studio albums beginning in 1964 with the self-titled Lightfoot that was not released until 1966. Each album featured his distinctive voice, complemented by well-crafted songs that have been covered by other artists, including, but not limited to Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Eva Cassidy, Eric Clapton, Neil Young, The Grateful Dead, Ronnie Hawkins, Ian and Sylvia, Jerry Lee Lewis, Diana Kroll, Peter Tosh, The Tragically Hip, Hoyt Axton, Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, Jimmy Buffett, Blue Rodeo, Harry Belafonte, Anne Murray, Sarah McLaughlin, Barbara Streisand, Richie Havens, and Glenn Campbell. To begin today's music selections, I wanted to share the last album recorded by Gordon Lightfoot, and the only one that features his voice and guitar. There is no other production on any of the songs, and I think it is a fitting way to end his career. The man, his voice, and his music. From the 2022 album Solo, you will hear each song in the order as Lightfoot chose to present them for our listening pleasure. To open, Here Is Oh So Sweet, followed by Emotion. And we end the first set with better off.

SPEAKER_02 4:26

But sometimes I think maybe I have skipped a feat. The road I chose was not all it should be, but sometimes it was oh so sweet. Sometimes I remember hearing raindrops fall, feeling my love breathing on side of me. It ain't easy to live where no tears are repressed, but sometimes it was oh so sweet. The mention of witch breeds on an empty nest. Oh it flow where society is, but sometimes it was oh so sweet Healing in my dream world, here close to the ground, I can hear the rumble of the things I love. It ain't easy to grieve over things said and done, but sometimes life was oh so sweet. Let's all get around, so that we can carry on, stick to the main stream, and we'll be okay. But sometimes it was also sweet. Sometimes I remember seeing starlight fate back when life was still only a mystery. Was it good? Was it bad? Oh, the best you ever had. Sometimes it was oh so sweet. Should I tell their uncle or up to night? Even my emotion on mine tonight Show me a way to get into your dreams and I'll do anything a child could design. Show me a way to come under the light of your love, my heart as unthought When I turn on the radio and it's a song, should I still feel unclear update? Even my emotion of mine tonight. Show me a way to go into the town or do anything that would be heavenly. Show me a way to them under the spell of your love every last thing to watch over me. You know I've proven myself to be a king-sized fool, just tell uptight or uncle, even my emotion out of control. Show me a way to get into your dreams, and I'll do anything that your heart could design. Show me a way to come under the line of all the devil lies, my heart is on fire. You know I've said everything I ever wanted to say. Should I still feel unclear a tight? Even my emotion online tonight when I turn on the radio and it's a song, should I still feel unclear a tight? Even my emotion online tonight, even my emotion online tonight. Can you throw it all away before you close the door? Are you really any better rough than before? You go rambling through my day. When I'm out here making my way, still I want the floor. Am I really better rough than before? Things never look so rosy. Everything'll be okay. I couldn't be much better if I try and I get myself to bed with the words that never got said, turn it on the news. Are we ever any better off when we lose? And we can pick and choose you the pathway to my heart till the cruel took it apart before I closed the door. Are you really any? Better off than before you under in my dreams. Leave me halfway in between, so I hit the floor. Am I really any better off than before? Thing never looked so rosy. Everything be alright. I couldn't be much better if I try. You go rambling through my mind on a path of hope I'll find better than all the news. Are we ever in it? Better off when we lose, and we can pick and choose.

SPEAKER_00 13:28

Gordon Lightfoot had a remarkable life and an illustrious musical career that spanned over six decades. His achievements encompass numerous accolades, impactful contributions to the music industry, and a profound influence on the folk and folk rock genres. Lightfoot produced a catalogue of enduring and beloved songs, including classics such as the Canadian Railroad Trilogy, Black Day in July, beautiful, and every highway to name a few. He was recognized for his exceptional songwriting skills, and his compositions are known for their storytelling and vivid imagery and emotional death, reflecting Canadian landscapes and personal experiences. He significantly impacted the folk and folk rock music genres, influencing countless musicians and songwriters who followed his style and approached to storytelling and music became a template for many aspiring artists. Likewood received numerous awards, including 16 juniors, multiple Grammy nominations and inductions into various musical halls of fame. He maintained a consistent presence in the music industry, touring extensively and captivating audiences with his live performances. As a matter of fact, on his death, he still had dates to play on his calendar. From his final album, solo, Here Is Return into Dust. Do you walk? Do you talk? And we end the first half of today's tribute to Gordon Lightfoot with just a little bit.

SPEAKER_02 15:46

Until then, I'll do it again. All I ever saw was a heaven in me, or so a go. A little with fit, yields a little break. Rough times, tough times are all the same. But as for now, time to lie. All that you hope, like the laughter you keep hearing through the years. At time for us, all feelings are returned in the dust. They said ask and it shall be, and all I can tell you is baby ain't free. One more request, and then I'll be on my way. Start a brand new day. But until then, let us be friends. They said drink and be restored. It may wind up on the floor and water more. We'll return in the dust. Do you walk, do you talk? Do you do value things? Do you run? Do you hide? Are you gonna survive? Do you bank, do you hang? Do you like camping out? Do you sleep? Do you sleep? Do you keep yourself alive? There is no situation which cannot be overcome. There is no fear of loneliness. Can get me all right? Do you walk? Do you talk? Do you live on the block? Do you sing? Do you play? Do you take it away? Do you act like a sheep? Do you talk in your sleep? Do you dance on a dog? Do you sit up on a rock? There is no situation which cannot be addressed. There is no kind of common sense which cannot be expressed. Are you weak? Are you strong? Did you ever belong? Are you mean? Are you mean? Have you ever been wrong? Are you rough? Are you tough? Or have you had enough? Do you stop for a look? Do you ever read a book? There is no situation which can ever overcome. There is no fear of loneliness Can get me on around. Do you walk, do you talk? Do you ever get mad? Are you first? Are you fast? Do you live in the past? Are you tall? Are you small? Do you stick to the wall? Are you cold? Are you hot? Give it everything you've got. There is no situation which cannot be addressed. There is no kind of common sense which cannot be expressed. Do you ever get tired of a hanging out? Just a little bit. Do you ever get tired of the old blue cheese? Do you ever get tired of the blue jeans? Just a little bit. Do you ever get tired of making the sea? Down by the back step, checking out dunk. Down by the sundeck, give a big yawn. Do you ever get tired of mowin' along? Do you ever get tired of a telephone? Just a little bit. Do you ever get tired of a telephone bit? Do you ever get tired of a cheap thrip? Just a little bit. Do you ever get tired of curing your ears? Down by the clothesline, picking up sheets, down by the whole line, picking up beats. Ever get tired with the food we eat, just a little bit? Do you ever get tired of an upset? Just a little bit. Do you ever get tired of being on time? Do you ever get tired of a cigarette? Just a little bit. Do you ever get tired of hearing me whine? Down at the dog house picking up dew, down at the dead would seein' what's new. Do you ever get tired of shinin' them shoes? Just a little bit? Do you ever get tired of worrying? Just a little bit? Do you ever get tired of singing the blues? Do you ever get tired of the clothes you wear? Just a little bit? Do you ever get tired of combing your hair? Down by the schoolyard, smokes on the lawn. Down by the pool, home money's all gone. Do you ever get tired of me singing this song? Do you ever get tired of the Olympic games? Just a little bit. Do you ever get tired of calling me names? Do you ever get tired of moving on? Just a little bit? Do you ever get tired of hauling that flame? Pick up the bread pen, pick up the dough, pick up the death pen, pick up the show. Ever get tired of shoveling snow? Do you ever get tired of a hangin' out? Just a little bit. Do you ever get tired of taking that shot? Do you ever get tired of a hangin' in? A little bit? Do you ever get bored with the CN time? Time in the mailbox, pick up the news, trying to find a new point of view. Do you ever get tired of signing them shoes? Just a little bit. Just a little bit. Just a little bit.

SPEAKER_00 25:22

Just a little bit. This is Acoustic Avenue. Welcome back to the second half of today's special tribute to Gordon Lightfoot. A passionate outdoorsman, Lightfoot often spoke about his love for canoeing and spending time in nature, and frequently reverenced his experiences in various areas of Canada. He was known to have a deep appreciation for the Canadian wilderness, and particularly for the landscapes of the north. He mentioned locations like Jordan Bay in Ontario as a place he enjoyed and explored both with his canoe and by sailing. The beauty of the bay and its surrounding areas, including the 30,000 islands, provided inspiration for more than one of his own. He had also expressed his admiration for the Canadian shield and numerous canoe trips he took with his friends through the vast region of ancient rock formations and lakes that across parts of Northern Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and the Northwest Territories. Lightwood donated the boat and featured in his own Canary Yellow Canoe to the Canadian Canoe Museum in Peterborough, Ontario. And in particular for me, Long River with a celebration of the beauty of nature. He made me want to do something like that. He decided in the end to release the songs just as they were. As he put it, I thought my fans would be interested in hearing what songs sound like when first written. From solo, this is easy flow, followed by Dream Drift. Then you'll hear the laughter we seek before the album ends with why not give it a try?

SPEAKER_02 27:42

I was uneasy as an easy could be until she found me, and then I could see. We realized we had nothing to fear, we'd be okay now. It's been seven years. Think about us if you will. Easy come, easy go, easy flow. She's with me wherever I may go. One of these days when my coyote don't call and the roof doesn't leak to the wonder of a soul. Easy come, easy go, easy flow. I was uneasy as I'd ever been until I found her, I never could win. We realized we had nothing to fear. We'd be okay now, the answer is clear. Think about us if you will. So I turned around and I was down up on my knees. Easy come, easy go, easy flow. She's with me wherever I may go. Easy come, easy go, easy flow I'm like a drifter when I'm drifting along. I would go swifter, but the wind is so strong. My body tells me I should let it slow down. Still I keep wishing I was near the next time. In dreams I'm drifting out a sea of this mind. Usion that meet me when I feel this way. I'm still as drifter and I'd like to hold on. I could go swifter, but the road is so low. I could get lazy, but my shoes are too thin. My radar tells me there's a ghost at my side. Still I keep walking and a ghost gets a ride. I've drift in limbo a bit of thin air. I see a bimbo and there is nobody there. I'm still as crazy as I always will be. I could get easy, but the road is on me. I'm like a drifter, just like I always once. They call me Mister, there is no special cause. My sister tells me I'm a sight to behold. My daughter tells me to come in from a pole. I get to heaven and there is no one around. You shouldn't meet me when I'm back down on the ground. I'm still a drifter, but I like to hang on. I could go swifter, but the wind is so strong. I see a bimbo where there's nobody there. I'm still as crazy as I always have been. I could get hazy, it's the space I'm in. You can have your say, and I will have my you can be my friend, I will be your friend, you can be my friend, and I will be friend, and we're stickers and speak. The world is unfriendly the prisoner. And I wake up and I hear the standard mumble, as on someone mumble, a time. Where does it stand as we speak? You can go your way, I will go my time, and I will have my way. You can think your way, I will think my way. You can try your way, and I will live my What does it answer with speak? Where does it stand as we speak? The world is as I feel there's reason to be in the wing of an I wiggle the dream shadow. So what bit a matter? Oh, what shall we stick? Never the laughter we stick, never the roll of the wake, never the time of a wake, never the soul of a cake, and that is uncertain on the midnight watch over there in the land, and the laughter we stick, and of the mind of the make, other than answering break, had the standards we speak Would you like to go dancing? Would you like to go home? Would you like to go dancing? Would you like to go home? Would you like to go anywhere? Why not give it a try? Where would you like to roam? I just wanna stay home. Would you like to go dreamy? Would you like to go free? Would you like to go dreaming? Would you like to go free? Would you like to go anywhere? Why not give it a try? Where would you like to fly? I just wanna be me. Would you like to find someone? Would you like to pass by? Would you like to find someone? Would you like to pass by? Would you like to find anything? Why not give it a try? Would you like to stand by? I just wanna be me. Would you like to stop sometime? Would you like to log on? Would you like to stop some time? Would you like to log on? Would you like to stop anything? Why not give it a try? Would you like to press on? I just wanna stay home. Would you like to have liberty? Would you like to be here? Would you like to have liberty? Would you like to be here? Would you like to have all those things? Why not give it a try? Would you like to be brave? I just wanna be me.

SPEAKER_00 41:16

For today's special tribute to Gordon Lightfoot, one of the most acclaimed and respected songwriters of the twentieth century, and one of the most significant musicians Canada has produced. His contributions extended far beyond his well-known musical achievements, encompassing diverse interests and contributions in various artistic and cultural domains. Like for himself, said he was most proud of his songs and the rank of the Edmund Gerald Sundown. And if you could read my mind, many others may come to your mind as they do my preparing today's program. I one acknowledge Nicholas Jennings, who was the first introduced into Lightwood during the early days of the Riverboard where Jennings were to listen to every show and became a close friend of Lightfoot. Over the dedicated Jennings pursued a career as a journalist, leading to becoming the entertainment editor. He continued to follow the career of the artist and eventually wrote the book Lightwood that was released in 2018. It is Light of Wood's achievements are a testament to his enduring musical legacy, his resilience in the face of personal challenges, and the profound impact he made on the Canadian and international music scene. His contributions as a songwriter and performer have left an indelible mark on the fabric of music and history. Our approach to honor the music of Gordon Lightfoot today is featured songs from his final album. And perhaps one you may not be as familiar with. Writing songs is about finding the time because it's an isolating thing. You need to lock yourself in a room to do it in one shape or another. Whether it's an empty house or a hotel room, reflecting back on his career that has produced every kind of song imaginable. Historical, romantic, balladities, old style protests, and losing whatever he was like as a quaint term for his tempo numbers. Many became his many more considered iconic as quintessentially Canadian as a group of seven painting or analysis Monroe short story. His body of work resulted in an astonishing four hundred published songs, over two hundred and forty of which he recorded. Some of those that remain in the vault and were never recorded. What it would be like about you environmental are more than a hundred and fifty other songs of what you like. Those would be whispers of the north, the song he wrote preparing for his last canoe trip, which opens with the haunting sound of a loon. The next song is one he would introduce during performances as a little trip down shrinking alley and a lesson in love. We end the show with the boldly confessional in my fashion, cleverly described by one critic as lightfoot my way, concluding that despite everything heard to the contrary, he was not such a bad guy.

SPEAKER_01 45:34

Whispers of the north, soon I will go forth to that wild and barren land where nature takes its course.

SPEAKER_02 45:45

Whispers of the wind, soon I will be there again, bound with a wild and restless drive that pulls me from within, and we can ride away, we can glide all day, and we can fly away.

SPEAKER_01 46:13

Sooner we'll return again to those endless afternoons in sunshine and in rain. Whispers of my love days and weeks on end. I will share my thoughts of her in prayers that I will send, and we can ride away, we can play it all day, and we can fly away. Whispers of my heart in the tracks of animals.

SPEAKER_02 47:07

I will leave my footprints then to lie beneath the snow, and we can ride away, we can fly it all day, and we can fly away.

SPEAKER_01 47:28

Whispers of the wind, I will feel its sting, I will see it rise and fall, I will hear it sing. The sound is like a song to me, it takes away the pain.

SPEAKER_02 47:43

The river is the melody, and the sky is the refrain, and we can ride away, we can fly it all day, and we can fly away, and we can ride away, we can blit all day, and we can fly away.

SPEAKER_01 48:14

Whispers of the north, sooner we'll go forth. Whispers of the north, sooner we'll go forth.

SPEAKER_02 48:48

That's what the showman said. First, you must open the curtain and stand them on their head. There can be no inhibition, no prema don away if you want to pass the audition and times is tough these days. Remember when Mr. Barter presented Jenny Lynn They named a candy after her, a circus after him, and of my story, the rest is history, she in all of her glory, he lived quietly, he needed her, she needed him as sure as the skies above in a way it was for them a lesson in love, a lesson in love You look like the moon glow that follows me home, always makes me turn around, won't leave me alone. First a comma the midgets, a monkey and a kid, followed by those two unarmed jugglers, the ego and the it song for the season, apples of the sun. There is no rhyme or reason, just the time for each and every one. Hang on, Mr. Vernon, hang on, Jenny Lynn. We will meet you in Streets of Gold where eternity begin. Oh hang in love. Life was meant to live and love a lesson in love. A lesson in love with this.

SPEAKER_01 54:00

I have kept the whole files on the dude. Now take a look at me. Take a look around again.

SPEAKER_02 54:37

I don't know.

SPEAKER_01 54:40

I don't want to go to the next one.

SPEAKER_00 56:07

Until next time, this is Ted Crouch signing off. And on behalf of Joe Little, from our hearts to yours, stay safe and love the ones you're with. Peace. Cook's jam.