some enlightening quotes about Gordon Lightfoot: "Lightfoot became a mentor for a long time. I think he probably still is to this day." - Bob Dylan “I can't think of any Gordon Lightfoot song I don't like. Every time I hear a song of his, it's like I wish it would last forever. " - Bob Dylan "Favourite Lightfoot songs? Shadows, Sundown, If You Could Read My Mind. I can't think of any I don't like!" - Bob Dylan "Gordon Lightfoot has created some of the most beautiful and lasting music of our time. He is Bob Dylan's favourite singer/songwriter - high praise from the best of us, applauded by the rest of us." - Kris Kristofferson "I've always been trying to write songs like Lightfoot. A song of mine like 'Come Monday' is a direct result of me trying to write a Gordon Lightfoot song." - Jimmy Buffett "I always knew Gordon Lightfoot was a really great songwriter, but his stuff even sounds better and better all the time. It's just so really good to me. It's just like that's what should be in a dictionary, you know, next to a really good contempory folk song, is a Gordon Lightfoot song." - John Prine
Gordon Lightfoot was commissioned by the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) to write a song celebrating the Canadian centennial in 1967; it took him three days to write and this was the result, as Canadian a song as there ever was, keep digging, the man has an amazing catalogue of music !!!
Gordon Lightfoot is a bard, a folktale-teller, a natural philosopher. He just happens to use music as his platform. The lyrics are always the best word choices placed perfectly, and the instruments evoke the sounds of the story as much as they carry the melody and harmonies. The man is a genius. His song about Don Quixote is a masterwork.
Gordon Lightfoot is a Canadian Icon, a true son of Canada. A poet, a troubadour, a musician, a wordsmith...it just doesn't get any better than Gordon Lightfoot....This song is Canada's second National Anthem, commissioned by the CBC to celebrate Canada's Centennial in 1967....The construction of the music and choice of lyrics allows the listener to picture the journey across our great land, the cost of lost lives in the construction, the tempo signifies the beginning of Canada up to the time of the start of the building of the railroad, then the quiet reflection of the slow progress, the yearning of the workers (Navvys) for their loved ones far away, then the tempo quickens again as they climb through the Rockies, to survey all that they have done and a final tribute the those who died during the building of the Canadian Pacific Railway...too silent to be real...Probably the most perfectly constructed song ever written. Am I a Canadian proud of Lightfoot and his contribution to our country and music??? Yes I am and yes, it is a Classic....Red Shea playing rhythm guitar and Gordon playing the chords with his ever present 12 string guitar....Perfect in every way!! I'm so glad you've discovered Gordon....keep on in your research....Sadly, today we learned that Gordon has canceled his upcoming tour dates due to health concerns. He is in his 80s now and has had many health issues over the years..I've seen him in concert so many times I've lost count.....Sending out good thoughts and white light to Gordon....♥♥ PS, he wrote this song in 3 days.....Check out 'Steel Rail Blues' for another great' train' song...there are so many other songs, such as 'The Wreck of The Edmund Fitzgerald".....You can spend literally HOURS listening to Gord's Golden songs & you never get tired of them.
@@stephanieellis5399 I do, obviously. And I do prefer the original 1967 version from "The Way I Feel" album. There's some people who don't know about his United Artists label era either. He later re-recorded at least a dozen tunes from that era after he signed to Reprise.
You picked a great example of Gordon's work. Sundown, Carefree Highway, If You Could Read My Mind, Beautiful, Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald are some others. THANK YOU!!!
What an outstanding reaction and review. Thank you so much. I was raised on Gordon Lightfoot, and at the age of 14 I became a guitar player as a direct result of hearing Red Shea playing the background lead and solo on Trilogy. That was over 50 years ago, and I still play it. You may not be a guitar player but you have the mindset of one. Your analysis of each segment of the trilogy was remarkable. Thank you. Cheers!
Wow, ok - jumping into the deep end are we? Would also recommend "Circle Of Steel" and "Early Morning Rain" Also: This guy is as Canadian as Maple Syrup, hockey and Mounties.
Gordon was commissioned to write this classic to celebrate our Canadian Centennial in 1967. One of our nation's greatest songwriters, and still touring in his early 80's. "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" is a must, along with his huge #1 hit "Sundown", and many others.
LMAO! "If I had a guitar, followed by guitar sound, DukesRocks". Totally appreciate you doing the song and man you nailed the reaction. The rhythm and lead acoustic guitars, the lyrics, harp and melody make this song a classic. I used to work for a company that moved rail crews from the trains to the bunkhouses in both the US and Canada. So this song has a special meaning and the lyrics truly hit home for me. Historically, I believe the campaign to connect East and West was first launched in the US. This undertaking of the dangers and perils into the unknown was masterfully documented in the TV series "Hell on Wheels". I highly recommend watching the series if you have a fascination with, the railroad and the history of settlers and the townships that were created because of the railroad in both the US and Canada. Again TY Justin, you are the best.
@@JustJP LOL, yeah I wish they stuck to the historical moments more, instead of meandering off the beaten path. Regardless, it's a good educational series. Did you get a chance to check out my video upload on my first guitar?
Thanks for playing this great song. Your comments are spot on, as usual. They made me love this song even more than I did before. I agree with others about the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, Al Stewart's Roads to Moscow and Nostradamus. There is nothing like a good story told in a folk song. Gord's a hero here in Canada but not as well known south of the border.
I know I'm late to this comment, but "Roads To Moscow" is a masterpiece, as well as "The Last Day Of June 1934". I've been a huge Lightfoot and Al Stewart fan since the Early 1970's, and haven't heard a song from wither that I didn't love.
Also, I like how Gordon Lightfoot writes songs. You get the feeling like you are right there, with the way Gordon Lightfoot writes. It's so descriptive and profound. Cheers!
Lifelong Gord fan here and this is one of his greatest tracks ever - I prefer the Gord's Gold remake but there's no bad version of this song! Couple of other great early ones that he didn't redo for the compilation are Black Day in July and Cold Hands From New York, but he never made a bad album and has only recently released his 21st - at the grand old age of 81.
Canadian Railroad Trilogy was written for Canada's 100th birthday, in 1967. Gordon Lightfoot is a Canadian music icon. He has written many great songs. I saw Gordon Lightfoot live, front row center, and met him and his band after the show. Cheers!
Ahhhh Gordon...true Canadian folk hero...to me "Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" is his emotional powerhouse...Lightfoot has a knack for creating melodies that depict the lyrical conyent..as in the rich sadness of "Wreck". "Sundown" also excellent. Perhaps next time you take a look North, you can spin a band held in very high regard up in Canada "The Tragically Hip". They are sometimes rock, sometimes poetic Canadian folk. Interestingly..they set this country on fire, but never did crack the U.S. market in any significant way. After Gord Downey's death, more Americans let an ear and for the most part, the general consensus was "why haven't I heard these guys before!!!..high on the recommend list would be "Its a Good Life if you Don't Weaken"...…."Wheat Kings".....or "Ahead by a Century" among several others. Cheers from Canada!...(P.S.....for some reason I make up lame one liners about Canadian folk artists..including Gordon....you ready??...OK...."Gordon Lightfoot...the man never got a speeding ticket his whole life!"....hey I warned ya
Ouch on the joke but thumbs definitely up on The Tragically Hip. They have such a dedicated large Canadian fan base and yet no traction in the U.S.. Very odd. Unique band, unique sound, unique lead singer (RIP) yet very accessible.
Another Canadian band more people should know about is Rheostatics. Starting with their 'Melville' and 'Whale Music' albums. ua-cam.com/video/yrzkQcQIGVw/v-deo.html
I used to play this song for my infant son as a bedtime ditty, parents play Gordo, it works. Mine's 20 now, he knows the words and he knows Gordon Lightfoot...
Hey Justin ~ Ok now you have to hear the better, updated version on Gord's Gold. It blows this version completely away! Which is truly saying something, but it really does. You will LOVE it!
I love this song but I’ve only ever heard the re-recorded version until now. This was really good as well, I like the rawness of it without the orchestration. However, there is one thing I think was improved with the later version: at the very end, when he says “And many are the dead men…”, he pauses a little longer to let the silence sink in a bit more. Both versions are absolutely fantastic though!
Gordon Lightfoot is 81now, has a new album, and was about to go on tour when all this happened. Going through the Canadian Rockies on a train with observation cars is spectacular scenery. For another story-telling song, but not so cozy, see "The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald".
Nice reaction to Gord - such a brilliant writer, melodically and lyrically - as Bob Dylan once said, 'Gordon Lightfoot is the only artist that when i hear a song of his i have to stop and listen to the end'. Interestingly Gordon has been covered by the likes of; Neil Young, Elvis, Bob Dylan, Barbara Streisand, Eric Clapton, Jerry Lee Lewis, Paul Weller, The Greatful Dead, Johnny Cash, Lisa Minnelli, Waylon Jennings, Don McLean, Hank Williams, Hank Snow, etc. - to name a pretty impressive few....
Just watched again, and I do not remember watching this AT ALL! Often, if I do forget having watched something, then watch again, I will remember having seen it the first time! Not so, in this case! So, this really was like watching your reaction for the first time! I enjoyed it so much! Thank you, Sir! Lovely response to a lovely song!
Red Shea was the lead guitarist, and Gordon Lightfoot was the rhythm. This was Lightfoot at his best. A great, accurate description of the song!!!! 👍👍👍👍👍👍
really glad to see you do this song. quite a few reactors have done other lightfoot songs but none on this one.i have suggested it to a few of them but no bites so far! master songwriter and storyteller he is a canadian national treasure. can anyone even imagine what a monumental project it was to build a railroad across canada through the wilderness? treacherous rivers, endless plains and huge mountains. just incredible with so many deaths for so little pay
I wrote to him via his management, asking if I could use a line from this song to open a book I was writing. He said yes. The fee? $20. That's it. A fair price from a man who treated me more than fair in this instance. RIP Gord.
"We are the navvies who work on the railway". An archaic term which is self-defined in that phrase. The contrast between the spirit of expansion and industrialization of the era when the the Canadian Pacific Railroad was built, and the spirit of 21st Century America is astounding. The same magnates who were lionized for opening up the continent are now reviled as despoilers of the environment and oppressors of the native peoples. If we were trying to build this railway today, the plans would be stuck in Court for 30 years, and once a plan was OK'd by the government, protesters would organize human barriers to impede construction every inch of the way. The project would end up going over budget, resulting in a Western terminus in Swift Current, Saskatchewan.
Classic Canadiana man. For Canadians of my era (50’s born), Gord represents what we thought of our great, vast land. Check out his song Beautiful and Albums of the early 70’s. You’ll be blown away.
We had (now useless) tickets to see him this past April in Orillia (his home town) only an hour's drive north of us. He's 81 now. Hopefully Gordie remains safe from this virus and the concert is rescheduled... soon?
Lightfoot (60s-70s) and Prine (70s-80s), and few others, were in that transitional folk/country/rock singular equilibrium that I need to be in a mood to listen to. But they hit the spot, when the spot's there to be hit.
I played this song off his Sunday Concert album at Toronto's Massey Auditorium......a version recorded live. On the Folk 69 show on KPCS / KPCC in Pasadena City College....my first radio gig. I'd always (still do) write his name in a note / script as "G. Litefoot." Gosh, this brings back memories. He played a concert at Pasa. CC; we promoted on the air.....got to go backstage and meet he, Red Shea and Rick Haynes.
Great recommendation, Dukes, thanks! This song touches me on many levels. Not only do I like the music and story but my paternal grandparents are both French-Canadian. Their grandparents immigrated to the US by way of the Canadian Railroad to get from Quebec to Minneapolis. Many of my ancestors were the pioneers of Canada. Others were members of the French Army who were sent to New France to protect the pioneers from the Iroquois. There was some intermingling between the Natives (Abenaki tribe) and the Europeans of which I am a descendant. I love the imagery of the land before the white man in this song and with the building of the RR. I've lived most of my life near the Great Lakes so I’m a sucker for Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. In fact, two shipwrecks have been uncovered this spring. One on Lake Superior and one on Lake Michigan.
@Jaybird Sound like a great family lineage, thanks for sharing. I remember when Florida was going to be hit with a hurricane and Justin asked for recommendation related to storms, you mentioned you were a Great Lakes resident and we briefly talked about the railroad. I agree, I'm a sucker for WoftheEF as well.
So glad you covered this song. It often gets overlooked, and shouldn't be! Amazing story teller! You really should now hear his telling of the true story of The Edmund Fitzgerald. He does so many good songs, but these two are real stories, and well worth the listen. Loved your detailed analysis, not only of the lyrics, but noticing and commenting on the exceptional guitar work. Such a talented man! Was amazing to have gotten to see him live once. A truly good man!
Good Call Duke Rocks. (I think when you recommended this song I added my two cents (.01 canadian). This is probably my favorite folk song. Gordon Lightfoot is one of my wife's favorites. I own Gord's Gold as that album was HOT in my radio days. Every great songwriter has a masterpiece work. This is Gordon's. Thanks for another of your many pleasant surprises. I don't listen to pure folk much. But, Gordon is definitely an exception. If You Could Read My Mind is his biggest hit. Carefree Highway is another really good song.
Hi, hope you're doing well. Thank you for the segment on Gordon Lightfoot. If you haven't reviewed it yet please look into Carefree Highway. I was with my best friend in junior high school and Carefree Highway came on the radio. The third line in the song is her name was Ann and my best friend looks at me and says that's my aunt. Everytime I hear that song I think of my best friend from Junior High School, as well as Ann
Such a beautiful reaction and analysis of such a beautiful song! I love old-school folkie singer/songwriters, and Gord it up at the top. So much of his music just brings me to tears! "Gord's Gold" is one of my favorite albums, that I've had on cassette (yes) and CD. Great pick, Justin!
You can never go wrong with a Gordon Lightfoot song. I listen to him every day, at least a couple songs. The man is a master storyteller. I saw him in concert twice in the 80s, in a fairly small venue. Spellbinding!
Thanks for sharing this song and hopefully bringing it to the attention of those who haven't heard it before. He's written many great songs. I think just about everyone agrees this is a classic and perhaps his best.
Used to see him playing for change at the Steeles Tavern on Saturdays back in mid 60's in Toronto. Good bar where young talents had a place to show their talents.... new here and like your menu... Thank you and subbed...
Guitarist - Laurie Milton “Red” Shea (en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laurice_Milton_%E2%80%9CRed%E2%80%9D_Shea). “ Session personnel for the 1967 recording were: Gordon Lightfoot (12-string), Red Shea (Lead acoustic guitar), John Stockfish (Fender Bass), and Charlie McCoy (Harmonica).”
You are very astute - Red Shea was a brilliant guitarist ... he literally plays 1000s of notes in this song. Sadly, he passed from pancreatic cancer several years ago.
Didn’t know I was in the mood for Gordon this morning til I started listening to this - well chosen - thanks Reminds me of when I was out at a diner and had to listen to what someone else already picked on the jukebox - and then being happy they picked it
Great song that I haven't heard in many years, thanks for reminding me of this. Given your love of storytelling, I'm sure you've been pointed to his Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, another great song. Also wonder if you've discovered Al Stewart yet? Two tracks I think you'll really enjoy are Roads to Moscow and Nostradamus, both off of Past, Present and Future; lots of great guitar work and storytelling on both
Nice analysis of the song. Did you catch how Gordon's voice imitates a steam locomotive whistle during the lines: "Look away, said they" and "From the Eastern Shore"?
Growing up in Canada I had an art teacher who used to play us ole Gordie Heavyfoot all the time. Sundown and the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald would be a couple of his more well known tunes, good stuff. Wreck you'd really like, it tells the story about a freighter going down on lake Superior in a storm losing all hands.
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In Sundown the girl he's talking about was his girlfriend at the time, she was a groupie and was implicated in the overdose death of Jon Belushi I think. doyouremember.com/96917/details-john-belushi-died
I believe If you could read my mind was the best thing he ever did but Sundown, Black Day in July, Circle of Steel, The Circle is Small and Summertime Dream are all excellent but you could take almost any song off any of his albums and it would be good he has a very deep and good body of work.
Gordon Lightfoot is an icon. If you like stories, The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald is just about a perfect song. And "If You Could Read My Mind" is heartbreaking
Never heard GL before. Nice voice and beautiful arrangements. It makes me think of Roy Harper (a guy whom Led Zep did a hommage with the song “Hats off to Roy Harper). And aso of Shawn Phillips (who may be more “prog” and from whom I recommend “All is played” from the album “Do You Wonder” (1975). This guy has one of the most amazing voice. Phillips has recorded twenty six albums and his voice covers 4 octaves and is a multi-instrumentist, although some Brand-X musicians play with him on the album I recommend (which may not be Philipps's fans most choice).
Story + music you say? Ya gotta do - The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald - Gordon Lightfoot The Mary Ellen Carter - Stan Rogers El Paso - Marty Robbins The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance - Gene Pitney The Silver Ghost - Merle Haggard Hot Rod Lincoln - Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen
Hey JP, I just found this even though I've been subscribed for years. Gordon Lightfoot IS gold. He is a National Treasure here in Canada. I would love for you to check out "Black Day in July" which is a song he wrote about the Detroit race riot that took place in July of 1967. Thanks Justin. ✌
I had Gord's Gold album on a cassette - this song, along with "Carefree Highway", were great for cruising to my college town. The Gord's Gold version is definitely slower and mellower - this version does offer some fancy picking. Gordon can make any story smooth and mellow, even to some extent, the shipwreck of the Edmond Fitzgerald.
Thanks Dukes. I love railroad songs! Both my grandparents were railroad employees (MKT..Missouri, Kansas, Texas). I’ve flattened many a penny on the rails. JP, you must listen to the Great American railroad song...The City of New Orleans by Arlo Guthrie (Woody’s son). It’s the “Good Morning America, how are you” song.🚂
LOL, I did that as well (flatten pennies) when I was a kid. CN Rail would run trains by my home and as a kid we would hang by the forest tree line and watch the trains.
I don't know if you're still reading comments from this, but you probably noticed that there are no drums. In a documentary on Gordon Lightfoot, one of his peers commented on "the absolute freight train of Gord's strumming". It was so strong that he didn't add a drummer to the band until the 70s. You're right about the slowdown being the nighttime slowdown. But there's also the geography of Canada. They worked fast across the flat Prairies and slowed down and too weeks and months to make the progress across the mountains they'd made in a day on the Prairies.
Astute critique. Even though you do not play guitar, you were able to pick up on Gord's fantastic composition and the nuances of the workmanship of the guitar and harmonica playing. And that's without getting into the lyrics and word choices! This song sealed Lightfoot's career as a singer songwriter in Canada as well as a performer and icon. Well done!
Gordon Lightfoot is another gift that Canada bestowed on the rest of the world. Billy Joel pointed to Gordon as an artist that he was influenced by. Billy’s song, Downeaster Alexa, was his attempt to write a Gordon Lightfoot song. 👌
Canada, bless you for sharing! This American has loved this talent since I discovered him. Loved new discovered songs before my finding. Thank to Gordy for being brave enough to sharing your talent!
One small FYI. This song was written on commission. The Canadian Pacific Railroad was celebrating it's 100th birthday and they approached Gordon Lighfoot for a song to commemorate this. It's difficult to get my head around the fact that someone could write such a great song on request.
He was commissioned by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation to write a song celebrating Canada's centennial (1967). The song is about the building of the CPR.
Oh dude. You just cracked the lid on a song chest of unimaginable depth. Almost anything by lightfoot is gold. “Sundown” for lighter entertainment. “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” for a more somber moment; tread carefully here as it represents a real event not all that far in the past. He still tours. Voice isn’t what it was, but better than you might expect as he is 81 now.
A fantastic legendary story teller. I have heard this song many times and love it each and every time!.please react to If You Could Read My Mind , The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,Early Morning Rain,and Rainy Day People, all great story telling songs with his great voice!👍🏻👍🏻☮️🎼🎤
Amazing song of Gord's. I 100% prefer this to the Gord's Gold re-recording, as he has more grit in his voice here and the faster pace adds to the storytelling. Definitely check out his 60's material (in my opinion his greatest period of his career).
Brilliant review for a brilliant song. Memes have happened since this review and sea shanties are a thing. I recommend Stan Rodgers "Barrett's Privateers", "Northwest Passage" and "Rolling Back To Old Maui" though Stan's greatest song is "Mary Ellen Carter".
This song used to bring me to tears, in a way I still don't really understand. I think it's because the green dark forest is no longer too silent to be real. We have come and poisoned it with our own innocent, striving selves, for the good of us all. If you have't listened to The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, you should, but it is 2nd to this song, though excellent, and deeply moving.
some enlightening quotes about Gordon Lightfoot:
"Lightfoot became a mentor for a long time. I think he probably still is to this day." - Bob Dylan
“I can't think of any Gordon Lightfoot song I don't like. Every time I hear a song of his, it's like I wish it would last forever. " - Bob Dylan
"Favourite Lightfoot songs? Shadows, Sundown, If You Could Read My Mind. I can't think of any I don't like!" - Bob Dylan
"Gordon Lightfoot has created some of the most beautiful and lasting music of our time. He is Bob Dylan's favourite singer/songwriter - high praise from the best of us, applauded by the rest of us." - Kris Kristofferson
"I've always been trying to write songs like Lightfoot. A song of mine like 'Come Monday' is a direct result of me trying to write a Gordon Lightfoot song." - Jimmy Buffett
"I always knew Gordon Lightfoot was a really great songwriter, but his stuff even sounds better and better all the time. It's just so really good to me. It's just like that's what should be in a dictionary, you know, next to a really good contempory folk song, is a Gordon Lightfoot song." - John Prine
Gordon Lightfoot was commissioned by the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) to write a song celebrating the Canadian centennial in 1967; it took him three days to write and this was the result, as Canadian a song as there ever was, keep digging, the man has an amazing catalogue of music !!!
Gordon Lightfoot is a bard, a folktale-teller, a natural philosopher. He just happens to use music as his platform. The lyrics are always the best word choices placed perfectly, and the instruments evoke the sounds of the story as much as they carry the melody and harmonies. The man is a genius. His song about Don Quixote is a masterwork.
Guess who said "he is an Artist." Cummings was right.
Gordon Lightfoot is a Canadian Icon, a true son of Canada. A poet, a troubadour, a musician, a wordsmith...it just doesn't get any better than Gordon Lightfoot....This song is Canada's second National Anthem, commissioned by the CBC to celebrate Canada's Centennial in 1967....The construction of the music and choice of lyrics allows the listener to picture the journey across our great land, the cost of lost lives in the construction, the tempo signifies the beginning of Canada up to the time of the start of the building of the railroad, then the quiet reflection of the slow progress, the yearning of the workers (Navvys) for their loved ones far away, then the tempo quickens again as they climb through the Rockies, to survey all that they have done and a final tribute the those who died during the building of the Canadian Pacific Railway...too silent to be real...Probably the most perfectly constructed song ever written. Am I a Canadian proud of Lightfoot and his contribution to our country and music??? Yes I am and yes, it is a Classic....Red Shea playing rhythm guitar and Gordon playing the chords with his ever present 12 string guitar....Perfect in every way!! I'm so glad you've discovered Gordon....keep on in your research....Sadly, today we learned that Gordon has canceled his upcoming tour dates due to health concerns. He is in his 80s now and has had many health issues over the years..I've seen him in concert so many times I've lost count.....Sending out good thoughts and white light to Gordon....♥♥ PS, he wrote this song in 3 days.....Check out 'Steel Rail Blues' for another great' train' song...there are so many other songs, such as 'The Wreck of The Edmund Fitzgerald".....You can spend literally HOURS listening to Gord's Golden songs & you never get tired of them.
A brilliant song. Almost an anthem to Canadians.
If only more Canadians actually knew it. Lol. It's one of my favourite Lightfoot songs.
@@stephanieellis5399 I do, obviously. And I do prefer the original 1967 version from "The Way I Feel" album. There's some people who don't know about his United Artists label era either. He later re-recorded at least a dozen tunes from that era after he signed to Reprise.
Part of my home country's history, Gordon Lightfoot is a national treasure. He has all kinds of very good to great songs.
You picked a great example of Gordon's work. Sundown, Carefree Highway, If You Could Read My Mind, Beautiful, Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald are some others. THANK YOU!!!
Anytime Clark! Ty
Try listening to Black Day in July,great song but was banned in many states. Why to political in 67?😢
What an outstanding reaction and review. Thank you so much. I was raised on Gordon Lightfoot, and at the age of 14 I became a guitar player as a direct result of hearing Red Shea playing the background lead and solo on Trilogy. That was over 50 years ago, and I still play it. You may not be a guitar player but you have the mindset of one. Your analysis of each segment of the trilogy was remarkable. Thank you. Cheers!
Thats so kind of you to say Bob! Thank you very much, I appreciate you
I love this song and wish more people were aware of its existence. I haven’t heard the original tough.
Wow, ok - jumping into the deep end are we? Would also recommend "Circle Of Steel" and "Early Morning Rain"
Also: This guy is as Canadian as Maple Syrup, hockey and Mounties.
I try to swim in the deep end every once in a while🙃
Circle of Steel is my #1 favorite Gordon Lightfoot song!
Absolutely Early Morning Rain, and then the Ian & Sylvia rendition
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Gordon was commissioned to write this classic to celebrate our Canadian Centennial in 1967. One of our nation's greatest songwriters, and still touring in his early 80's. "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" is a must, along with his huge #1 hit "Sundown", and many others.
LMAO! "If I had a guitar, followed by guitar sound, DukesRocks". Totally appreciate you doing the song and man you nailed the reaction. The rhythm and lead acoustic guitars, the lyrics, harp and melody make this song a classic. I used to work for a company that moved rail crews from the trains to the bunkhouses in both the US and Canada. So this song has a special meaning and the lyrics truly hit home for me.
Historically, I believe the campaign to connect East and West was first launched in the US. This undertaking of the dangers and perils into the unknown was masterfully documented in the TV series "Hell on Wheels". I highly recommend watching the series if you have a fascination with, the railroad and the history of settlers and the townships that were created because of the railroad in both the US and Canada. Again TY Justin, you are the best.
Haha thank you so much Dukes🎸 I've watched a season or 2 of How, enjoyed the history but got a bit bored after while lol.
@@JustJP LOL, yeah I wish they stuck to the historical moments more, instead of meandering off the beaten path. Regardless, it's a good educational series. Did you get a chance to check out my video upload on my first guitar?
Thanks for playing this great song. Your comments are spot on, as usual. They made me love this song even more than I did before. I agree with others about the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, Al Stewart's Roads to Moscow and Nostradamus. There is nothing like a good story told in a folk song. Gord's a hero here in Canada but not as well known south of the border.
I know I'm late to this comment, but "Roads To Moscow" is a masterpiece, as well as "The Last Day Of June 1934". I've been a huge Lightfoot and Al Stewart fan since the Early 1970's, and haven't heard a song from wither that I didn't love.
Also, I like how Gordon Lightfoot writes songs. You get the feeling like you are right there, with the way Gordon Lightfoot writes. It's so descriptive and profound. Cheers!
Very true Dwayne! A great storyteller
Gordon is playing the 12 string, Red is lead. Had these in vinyl, with autographed covers. Saw many shows by this group, utterly incredible.
Lifelong Gord fan here and this is one of his greatest tracks ever - I prefer the Gord's Gold remake but there's no bad version of this song! Couple of other great early ones that he didn't redo for the compilation are Black Day in July and Cold Hands From New York, but he never made a bad album and has only recently released his 21st - at the grand old age of 81.
Canadian Railroad Trilogy was written for Canada's 100th birthday, in 1967. Gordon Lightfoot is a Canadian music icon. He has written many great songs. I saw Gordon Lightfoot live, front row center, and met him and his band after the show. Cheers!
I saw him in 76 for my 21 birthday, I could have reached up and grabbed him LOL
Ahhhh Gordon...true Canadian folk hero...to me "Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" is his emotional powerhouse...Lightfoot has a knack for creating melodies that depict the lyrical conyent..as in the rich sadness of "Wreck". "Sundown" also excellent. Perhaps next time you take a look North, you can spin a band held in very high regard up in Canada "The Tragically Hip". They are sometimes rock, sometimes poetic Canadian folk. Interestingly..they set this country on fire, but never did crack the U.S. market in any significant way. After Gord Downey's death, more Americans let an ear and for the most part, the general consensus was "why haven't I heard these guys before!!!..high on the recommend list would be "Its a Good Life if you Don't Weaken"...…."Wheat Kings".....or "Ahead by a Century" among several others. Cheers from Canada!...(P.S.....for some reason I make up lame one liners about Canadian folk artists..including Gordon....you ready??...OK...."Gordon Lightfoot...the man never got a speeding ticket his whole life!"....hey I warned ya
Ouch on the joke but thumbs definitely up on The Tragically Hip. They have such a dedicated large Canadian fan base and yet no traction in the U.S.. Very odd. Unique band, unique sound, unique lead singer (RIP) yet very accessible.
😅ty Steve
Another Canadian band more people should know about is Rheostatics. Starting with their 'Melville' and 'Whale Music' albums. ua-cam.com/video/yrzkQcQIGVw/v-deo.html
I used to play this song for my infant son as a bedtime ditty, parents play Gordo, it works. Mine's 20 now, he knows the words and he knows Gordon Lightfoot...
always enjoyed his voice and his songs.. try Wreck of Edmund Fitzgerald for a good story.Good review big guy.
Ty!
Living in Cleveland, that song has a strong impact here. Its actually embedded in our culture. Another great song. He is the Canadian Dylan.
2nd for Edmund Fitzgerald. Or Sundown. Both absolute classics.
Hey Justin ~ Ok now you have to hear the better, updated version on Gord's Gold. It blows this version completely away! Which is truly saying something, but it really does. You will LOVE it!
I love this song but I’ve only ever heard the re-recorded version until now. This was really good as well, I like the rawness of it without the orchestration. However, there is one thing I think was improved with the later version: at the very end, when he says “And many are the dead men…”, he pauses a little longer to let the silence sink in a bit more. Both versions are absolutely fantastic though!
Gordon Lightfoot is 81now, has a new album, and was about to go on tour when all this happened. Going through the Canadian Rockies on a train with observation cars is spectacular scenery. For another story-telling song, but not so cozy, see "The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald".
Nice reaction to Gord - such a brilliant writer, melodically and lyrically - as Bob Dylan once said, 'Gordon Lightfoot is the only artist that when i hear a song of his i have to stop and listen to the end'. Interestingly Gordon has been covered by the likes of; Neil Young, Elvis, Bob Dylan, Barbara Streisand, Eric Clapton, Jerry Lee Lewis, Paul Weller, The Greatful Dead, Johnny Cash, Lisa Minnelli, Waylon Jennings, Don McLean, Hank Williams, Hank Snow, etc. - to name a pretty impressive few....
I think more people should hear Gordon Lightfoot's "Black Day in July".
Just watched again, and I do not remember watching this AT ALL! Often, if I do forget having watched something, then watch again, I will remember having seen it the first time! Not so, in this case!
So, this really was like watching your reaction for the first time! I enjoyed it so much!
Thank you, Sir! Lovely response to a lovely song!
I saw ole gord in 1969 fronting for Peter, Paul and Mary. Been a fan ever since. Great review. Thanks for the memory!
Red Shea was the lead guitarist, and Gordon Lightfoot was the rhythm. This was Lightfoot at his best. A great, accurate description of the song!!!! 👍👍👍👍👍👍
really glad to see you do this song. quite a few reactors have done other lightfoot songs but none on this one.i have suggested it to a few of them but no bites so far! master songwriter and storyteller he is a canadian national treasure. can anyone even imagine what a monumental project it was to build a railroad across canada through the wilderness? treacherous rivers, endless plains and huge mountains. just incredible with so many deaths for so little pay
Ty Frenier! Glad you enjoyed it
His song 'If You Could Read My Mind' is one of the first I ever heard that really moved me, still does. 'Carefree Highway' is another great one.
I wrote to him via his management, asking if I could use a line from this song to open a book I was writing. He said yes. The fee? $20. That's it. A fair price from a man who treated me more than fair in this instance. RIP Gord.
Thats a wonderful story McJanine, ty for sharing that
"We are the navvies who work on the railway". An archaic term which is self-defined in that phrase.
The contrast between the spirit of expansion and industrialization of the era when the the Canadian Pacific Railroad was built, and the spirit of 21st Century America is astounding. The same magnates who were lionized for opening up the continent are now reviled as despoilers of the environment and oppressors of the native peoples.
If we were trying to build this railway today, the plans would be stuck in Court for 30 years, and once a plan was OK'd by the government, protesters would organize human barriers to impede construction every inch of the way. The project would end up going over budget, resulting in a Western terminus in Swift Current, Saskatchewan.
Sad but true.
yup that was vacant land they desecrated
Classic Canadiana man. For Canadians of my era (50’s born), Gord represents what we thought of our great, vast land. Check out his song Beautiful and Albums of the early 70’s. You’ll be blown away.
Well thought out reviews on several songs. I had to subscribe.
I appreciate that Andy!
The cadence of guitar playing mimics a train speeding up and travelling with its unique rhythm
We had (now useless) tickets to see him this past April in Orillia (his home town) only an hour's drive north of us.
He's 81 now. Hopefully Gordie remains safe from this virus and the concert is rescheduled... soon?
Lightfoot (60s-70s) and Prine (70s-80s), and few others, were in that transitional folk/country/rock singular equilibrium that I need to be in a mood to listen to. But they hit the spot, when the spot's there to be hit.
I played this song off his Sunday Concert album at Toronto's Massey Auditorium......a version recorded live. On the Folk 69 show on KPCS / KPCC in Pasadena City College....my first radio gig. I'd always (still do) write his name in a note / script as "G. Litefoot." Gosh, this brings back memories. He played a concert at Pasa. CC; we promoted on the air.....got to go backstage and meet he, Red Shea and Rick Haynes.
Yes, JP: the bass part is at the tempo of a train just chuggin along......and great suggestion about playing it at a campfire song.
I am so glad someone has gotten around to this.
Great recommendation, Dukes, thanks! This song touches me on many levels. Not only do I like the music and story but my paternal grandparents are both French-Canadian. Their grandparents immigrated to the US by way of the Canadian Railroad to get from Quebec to Minneapolis. Many of my ancestors were the pioneers of Canada. Others were members of the French Army who were sent to New France to protect the pioneers from the Iroquois. There was some intermingling between the Natives (Abenaki tribe) and the Europeans of which I am a descendant. I love the imagery of the land before the white man in this song and with the building of the RR.
I've lived most of my life near the Great Lakes so I’m a sucker for Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. In fact, two shipwrecks have been uncovered this spring. One on Lake Superior and one on Lake Michigan.
@Jaybird Sound like a great family lineage, thanks for sharing. I remember when Florida was going to be hit with a hurricane and Justin asked for recommendation related to storms, you mentioned you were a Great Lakes resident and we briefly talked about the railroad. I agree, I'm a sucker for WoftheEF as well.
DukesRocks I remember that, too. You have a good memory!
That's awesome Jay, loved reading the connections. Ty
So glad you covered this song. It often gets overlooked, and shouldn't be! Amazing story teller!
You really should now hear his telling of the true story of The Edmund Fitzgerald.
He does so many good songs, but these two are real stories, and well worth the listen.
Loved your detailed analysis, not only of the lyrics, but noticing and commenting on the exceptional guitar work. Such a talented man!
Was amazing to have gotten to see him live once. A truly good man!
Ty!
Good Call Duke Rocks. (I think when you recommended this song I added my two cents (.01 canadian). This is probably my favorite folk song. Gordon Lightfoot is one of my wife's favorites. I own Gord's Gold as that album was HOT in my radio days. Every great songwriter has a masterpiece work. This is Gordon's. Thanks for another of your many pleasant surprises. I don't listen to pure folk much. But, Gordon is definitely an exception. If You Could Read My Mind is his biggest hit. Carefree Highway is another really good song.
Love this song. I use to play this with my dad in the kitchen when I was younger starting out playing guitar. Great memories.
Hi, hope you're doing well.
Thank you for the segment on Gordon Lightfoot. If you haven't reviewed it yet please look into Carefree Highway.
I was with my best friend in junior high school and Carefree Highway came on the radio. The third line in the song is her name was Ann and my best friend looks at me and says that's my aunt. Everytime I hear that song I think of my best friend from Junior High School, as well as Ann
Such a beautiful reaction and analysis of such a beautiful song! I love old-school folkie singer/songwriters, and Gord it up at the top. So much of his music just brings me to tears!
"Gord's Gold" is one of my favorite albums, that I've had on cassette (yes) and CD.
Great pick, Justin!
Thank you!😁
The title tune you have on screen, The Way I Feel, is super groovy.
Wow, different choice !! I love Gordon Lightfoot.
You can never go wrong with a Gordon Lightfoot song. I listen to him every day, at least a couple songs. The man is a master storyteller. I saw him in concert twice in the 80s, in a fairly small venue. Spellbinding!
Definitely wraps you up into the music😃
If You Could Read My Mind is perhaps the best love song ever written.
Man I love the melody to that song.
Must do "If You Could Read My Mind". Must do, seriously, you must do it.
Thanks for sharing this song and hopefully bringing it to the attention of those who haven't heard it before. He's written many great songs. I think just about everyone agrees this is a classic and perhaps his best.
Used to see him playing for change at the Steeles Tavern on Saturdays back in mid 60's in Toronto. Good bar where young talents had a place to show their talents.... new here and like your menu... Thank you and subbed...
Thank you Dennis!
Glorious memories to be sure.
I'm with Bob (Dylan) on this guy. Every song either was or should have been a hit.
You are making my Canadian heart swell with pride! 🇨🇦
Haha ty! 🍁
Guitarist - Laurie Milton “Red” Shea (en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laurice_Milton_%E2%80%9CRed%E2%80%9D_Shea). “ Session personnel for the 1967 recording were: Gordon Lightfoot (12-string), Red Shea (Lead acoustic guitar), John Stockfish (Fender Bass), and Charlie McCoy (Harmonica).”
You are very astute - Red Shea was a brilliant guitarist ... he literally plays 1000s of notes in this song. Sadly, he passed from pancreatic cancer several years ago.
Didn’t know I was in the mood for Gordon this morning til I started listening to this - well chosen - thanks
Reminds me of when I was out at a diner and had to listen to what someone else already picked on the jukebox - and then being happy they picked it
Gord is a national treasure. Pay attention to the lyrics, he is a great poet. My favourite is 'Ballad of the Yarmouth Castle'.
Red Shae played the background picking and Gordon played 12 string I believe.
Great song that I haven't heard in many years, thanks for reminding me of this. Given your love of storytelling, I'm sure you've been pointed to his Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, another great song. Also wonder if you've discovered Al Stewart yet? Two tracks I think you'll really enjoy are Roads to Moscow and Nostradamus, both off of Past, Present and Future; lots of great guitar work and storytelling on both
Love Al Stewart's whole album "Year of the Cat"
Big Al Stewart fan here...history never sounded so good! If you haven’t heard his live Rhymes in Rooms you should (just two acoustic guitars)
Love Al Stewart, I love the suggestions as well of a great album.
Greatest Canadian song, ever...tells it all.
Nice analysis of the song. Did you catch how Gordon's voice imitates a steam locomotive whistle during the lines: "Look away, said they" and "From the Eastern Shore"?
Love his music! Proud Canadian who is proud of this Canadian.
🇨🇦
Growing up in Canada I had an art teacher who used to play us ole Gordie Heavyfoot all the time. Sundown and the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald would be a couple of his more well known tunes, good stuff. Wreck you'd really like, it tells the story about a freighter going down on lake Superior in a storm losing all hands.
In Sundown the girl he's talking about was his girlfriend at the time, she was a groupie and was implicated in the overdose death of Jon Belushi I think. doyouremember.com/96917/details-john-belushi-died
Also, pulling tracks from Gord's Gold is recommended for the best versions.
Any of those tracks are indeed pure gold. I just about wore the grooves out in my vinyl copy.
I would disagree, I much prefer the original album versions. But both versions are still great!
I prefer the version from Sunday Concert.
I believe If you could read my mind was the best thing he ever did but Sundown, Black Day in July, Circle of Steel, The Circle is Small and Summertime Dream are all excellent but you could take almost any song off any of his albums and it would be good he has a very deep and good body of work.
Another Canadian national treasure. It seems we have quite a few of them.....
Except for our 2 Justin s
Gordon Lightfoot is a national treasure up here in Canuckland.
Gordon Lightfoot is an icon. If you like stories, The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald is just about a perfect song. And "If You Could Read My Mind" is heartbreaking
Never heard GL before. Nice voice and beautiful arrangements. It makes me think of Roy Harper (a guy whom Led Zep did a hommage with the song “Hats off to Roy Harper). And aso of Shawn Phillips (who may be more “prog” and from whom I recommend “All is played” from the album “Do You Wonder” (1975). This guy has one of the most amazing voice. Phillips has recorded twenty six albums and his voice covers 4 octaves and is a multi-instrumentist, although some Brand-X musicians play with him on the album I recommend (which may not be Philipps's fans most choice).
Story + music you say? Ya gotta do -
The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald - Gordon Lightfoot
The Mary Ellen Carter - Stan Rogers
El Paso - Marty Robbins
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance - Gene Pitney
The Silver Ghost - Merle Haggard
Hot Rod Lincoln - Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen
Hey JP, I just found this even though I've been subscribed for years. Gordon Lightfoot IS gold. He is a National Treasure here in Canada. I would love for you to check out "Black Day in July" which is a song he wrote about the Detroit race riot that took place in July of 1967. Thanks Justin. ✌
Ty Blane!
I had Gord's Gold album on a cassette - this song, along with "Carefree Highway", were great for cruising to my college town. The Gord's Gold version is definitely slower and mellower - this version does offer some fancy picking. Gordon can make any story smooth and mellow, even to some extent, the shipwreck of the Edmond Fitzgerald.
Thanks Dukes. I love railroad songs! Both my grandparents were railroad employees (MKT..Missouri, Kansas, Texas). I’ve flattened many a penny on the rails.
JP, you must listen to the Great American railroad song...The City of New Orleans by Arlo Guthrie (Woody’s son). It’s the “Good Morning America, how are you” song.🚂
LOL, I did that as well (flatten pennies) when I was a kid. CN Rail would run trains by my home and as a kid we would hang by the forest tree line and watch the trains.
City Of New Orleans was actually written by Steve Goodman (there was a lawsuit about this) who was a great folkie.
Beautiful !!
I don't know if you're still reading comments from this, but you probably noticed that there are no drums. In a documentary on Gordon Lightfoot, one of his peers commented on "the absolute freight train of Gord's strumming". It was so strong that he didn't add a drummer to the band until the 70s.
You're right about the slowdown being the nighttime slowdown. But there's also the geography of Canada. They worked fast across the flat Prairies and slowed down and too weeks and months to make the progress across the mountains they'd made in a day on the Prairies.
I'm always around ;) Good point Steph, his strumming is percussive and powerful enough
Astute critique. Even though you do not play guitar, you were able to pick up on Gord's fantastic composition and the nuances of the workmanship of the guitar and harmonica playing. And that's without getting into the lyrics and word choices! This song sealed Lightfoot's career as a singer songwriter in Canada as well as a performer and icon. Well done!
Thank you so much for your kindness Alicia. This is a fantastic song
His breadth of story is only echoed by his breadth in musical accompaniment and composition. Gordon lightfoot is the real deal.
Synchronicity once again. I just listened to Gordon's Gold the same day you did this review. Spooky.
Good timing!
Gordon Lightfoot is another gift that Canada bestowed on the rest of the world. Billy Joel pointed to Gordon as an artist that he was influenced by. Billy’s song, Downeaster Alexa, was his attempt to write a Gordon Lightfoot song. 👌
I love Billy Joel's compliment to Gordon, and I love his music, too!The Downeaster Alexa is a great song!
Gail S. Yes it is and BJ has said that he is very proud of that song and the message about the difficulties of the Long Island fishermen
Canada, bless you for sharing! This American has loved this talent since I discovered him.
Loved new discovered songs before my finding.
Thank to Gordy for being brave enough to sharing your talent!
The Bob Dylan of Canada not to mention Bob Dylan,s favorite singer /writer.
I only know a few Gordon Lightfoot tracks and not this one ,this was great.
One small FYI. This song was written on commission. The Canadian Pacific Railroad was celebrating it's 100th birthday and they approached Gordon Lighfoot for a song to commemorate this. It's difficult to get my head around the fact that someone could write such a great song on request.
He was commissioned by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation to write a song celebrating Canada's centennial (1967). The song is about the building of the CPR.
The song was written as a tribute for Canada's 100 birthday in 1967.
Thanks for reacting to this. I'd strongly suggest Lightfoot's 'The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald'.
Ty Martins!
Good choice to go with the original
A well done response. Thank you.
Appreciate that Rob!
Oh dude. You just cracked the lid on a song chest of unimaginable depth.
Almost anything by lightfoot is gold. “Sundown” for lighter entertainment. “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” for a more somber moment; tread carefully here as it represents a real event not all that far in the past.
He still tours. Voice isn’t what it was, but better than you might expect as he is 81 now.
Awesome, thank you Herb!
If You Could Read My Mind. Nuff said.
Agree, I love that song. Beautiful melody.
A great sea song I love by him is Ghosts Of Cape Horn takes you there
The song speeding up is supposed to represent the train picking up speed across the land, i heard Gordon say in an interview once
A fantastic legendary story teller. I have heard this song many times and love it each and every time!.please react to If You Could Read My Mind , The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,Early Morning Rain,and Rainy Day People, all great story telling songs with his great voice!👍🏻👍🏻☮️🎼🎤
Ty Joel!
I taught a cultural anthropology class in 1969 with song
Amazing song of Gord's. I 100% prefer this to the Gord's Gold re-recording, as he has more grit in his voice here and the faster pace adds to the storytelling. Definitely check out his 60's material (in my opinion his greatest period of his career).
Brilliant review for a brilliant song. Memes have happened since this review and sea shanties are a thing. I recommend Stan Rodgers "Barrett's Privateers", "Northwest Passage" and "Rolling Back To Old Maui" though Stan's greatest song is "Mary Ellen Carter".
The correct version!!!
One of Canada's national treasures Justin. Next, if You Could Read My Mind, Sundown, The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.
I may have to do one of those!
This is my favorite of Gordon Lightfoot's songbook.
I always think of Hank Snow's "My Nova Scotia Home" as a follow up to the Canadian Railroad Trilogy (on playlist)
Fantastic reaction to this Lightfoot classic!
This song used to bring me to tears, in a way I still don't really understand. I think it's because the green dark forest is no longer too silent to be real. We have come and poisoned it with our own innocent, striving selves, for the good of us all. If you have't listened to The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, you should, but it is 2nd to this song, though excellent, and deeply moving.