If you’re unfamiliar with his early work, check out “The United Artists Collection.”
If you’re unfamiliar with his early work, check out “The United Artists Collection.”
If you do that, though, be aware that some songs from "Gord's Gold", which many people are familiar with, are re-recordings and/or remixes. Some songs like "Don Quixote", "Wherefore and Why", "Canadian Railroad Trilogy", and even "Early Morning Rain" sound quite different in their early version compared to the versions you are more likely used to. It's interesting, if you care about such things, but it's a bit jarring if you're not expecting it. For instance, "Early Morning Rain" is basically a country song as delivered in the Collection (which is the original album version). It's the later, Gord's Gold, version that really became popular and got radio airtime. FWIW, it was Lightfoot himself who initiated the re-recordings, as he wasn't happy with the production of the originals.
Thought I would converge 2 threads. Asked ChatGPT to write an ode to Gordon.
I will miss him.
—-
Oh, Gordon Lightfoot, how we mourn
For the loss of one so great
A voice that stirred our very souls
And lyrics that spoke to our fate
Your songs were like a warm embrace
That held us close through the years
We laughed and loved, we danced and cried
As your music touched our fears
From “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald”
To “If You Could Read My Mind”
Your words were like a window
To the thoughts we kept inside
Your melodies were like a river
That flowed through every town
And though you’ve left this mortal plane
Your music will never die down
So rest in peace, dear Gordon
Your legacy will endure
Your songs will live forever
And our hearts will forever be sure
That you were one of the greatest
A true master of your craft
And though we’ll miss you dearly
Your music will always last.