Internet Tribute To GORDON LIGHTFOOT - Volumes 1 & 2
Wayne Francis
In June 1997 "An Internet Tribute To Gordon Lightfoot Volume 2" was released
as the followup to the December 1995 release of Volume 1, both of which
showcase the performances of Lightfoot originals by participants and readers
of the alt.music.lightfoot newsgroup.
Below is listed track details and unsolicited comments from many purchasers
of each volume of the CD, to give you an unbiased idea of how the albums
have been received. Thanks, as always, to the many individuals who submitted
recordings for inclusion on these projects, without whom these unique
collections of Lightfoot covers could never have come to pass.
Most of all, thanks Gord - for the music!
AN INTERNET TRIBUTE TO GORDON LIGHTFOOT - VOLUME 1 (Released December 1995)
Listener's Comments
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"The Tribute CD was absolutely wonderful! I enjoyed all the songs, more
so because they were from people I felt I "knew" from the group and because
there was such a variety of song choice and style, not unlike an original
Lightfoot album. Gord would be proud!"
Pat Sarp - The Woodlands, TX
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"GREAT CD! The whole family loves it. Congratulations - a really
worthwhile venture."
Phil McFadden - Fisher, Australia
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"I would like to repeat how much I have enjoyed the Tribute CD. I collect
Gord covers and have quite a few now. The Tribute CD is the best! I have
played it every day since I got my copy and never tire of it. Not only do
these guys sound great singing the songs, the feeling they have for
Gordon's words is very evident. My sister, who is no Lightfoot fan (she's
a little strange!) even liked the Tribute CD very much!"
Shirley Hoggard - Oklahoma City, OK
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"I want to thank you for such a fabulous tribute to one of the most
influential folk artists!"
Paul Galati - Cinncinati, OH
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"I sure like the Tribute CD and appreciate the trouble you took in putting
it together. The performances, as well as the process of realization, are
quite professional."
Rene Breeuwer - Delft, Netherlands
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"Thanks for the prompt sending of the CD. WOW! I'll tell you, it's so great
to hear other people do GL songs. The recording quality is surprisingly
good. No slight intended, I just didn't have a clue what to expect. The
performances were all obviously heartfelt. All in all a real treat to get
the CD. Great job!"
Ed Mullen - Wayne, NJ
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"Wayne, you can count Mark and myself as not only satisfied, but thrilled
with the way the CD came out! Hearing Gord's songs sung by a variety of
voices who obviously love his music makes it a very special CD indeed!
For anyone out there who has thought about buying this CD but hasn't
acted on it yet - DO IT!!! You won't be sorry and you'll be yammering at
Wayne to get the next one in production!
p.s. Hey Wayne? Are you taking requests for Tribute II yet :)???"
Judy Ward - Elburn, IL
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"First mailing of the new year arrived at 2 PM local and the CD was in by
2:01!! Great effort! Thank you all for taking the time, it was well worth
it."
Kevin O'Brien - Folcroft, PA
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"Got the CD, thanks. And wow, I liked the selection of songs very much...a
terrific job!"
Chris Teague - Valdez, AK
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"Just got in from rainy Halifax today, to find my new CD. It's hard to
define and say how great it is, it just is great. Already looking forward
to Volume 2."
Russel C. Watson - Toronto, ON
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"You could add Norway to that list (of countries). I have received the CD
and love it. Thank You!"
Karl-Johan Teroey - Sandnes, Norway
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"Thanks very much for putting together the Lightfoot Internet Tribute CD.
It's very impressive and I'm enjoying it!"
Janet Sayre - Chicago, IL
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"...A great job in putting together what must have been fairly different
sounding recordings. It flowed very well together..."
Blair Barondes - Northampton, MA
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"I received the Gordon Lightfoot Tribute disc the other day and wanted to
tell you that I enjoy it very much. It's good to see other people around
the world that share the same interest in a great Canadian singer and
songwriter."
James Neumiller - Harrow, ON
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"Just wanted you to know that I just got my hot little hands on the Tribute
CD and I love it - thanks. It has the feel of a jam session being held in
my living room! I'll definitely grab Tribute #2 promptly when it comes out."
Ross Mehan - Sunnyvale, CA
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"They arrived yesterday and I've already listened through it three times and
am enjoying it immensely. Well done! I'm pretty sure the recipient of my
gift copy will be pleasantly surprised as well when he hears it."
Scott Gens - Clayton, MO
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"Congrats to all who made a recording and I hope a second one will be done
one day!"
Rik Stevans - Portland, OR
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"Got the Tribute CD last week. Very impressive!"
Donnie Budd - Arlington, TX
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"I got the Internet Tribute to GL yesterday and popped it in the player
right away. I love it!!! Some of my very favourite songs are represented
and the voices are just right."
Diane L. Medvitz - Syracuse, NY
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"Just want to say that I'm enjoying the Tribute CD very much!!! It is
very interesting to hear other folks perform Lightfoot songs. The
recording quality is very impressive. Thanks to all of you who took
the time and effort to create such a fine Tribute CD. It will make a
fine addition to my Gord collection!!!"
David Sims - Raytown, MO
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"I received the CD in the mail last Friday. You guys did a fantastic job
with it. I've already listened to it 5 times since Monday and it sounds
better and better each time - a very impressive effort! I wish there could
have been more, but I'll keep my fingers crossed that you'll be able to
produce a Volume II. I can't even begin to imagine all the work involved in
putting it together, but your efforts certainly paid off!"
Norma Kateeb - Orland Park, IL
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"I just received the Tribute CD and I love it! These are excellent covers
of Gord's tunes and the quality of the recording is impressive. You can
tell that each individual artist put their hearts and souls into each tune,
and that is what makes it special as well. I like the fact that there are
songs from every era in Lightfoot's music. The time and talent put into
this project is to be applauded and appreciated by all who hear this. The
quality of the recording is really professional and the mix is excellent.
Thanks again for the speedy delivery of this CD"
Elizabeth Barnes - Freeville, NY
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Tribute 1 Track Listing
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1. SPIN, SPIN (2:33) - Bob Spector, San Francisco CA
Vocal, 12 & 6 string guitars, bass, percussion - Bob Spector
2. SONG FOR A WINTER'S NIGHT (2:52) - Tom May, Omaha NE
Vocal, 6 string guitar - Tom May
3. DON'T BEAT ME DOWN (3:35) - Triptych, Melbourne Australia
Vocal, 12 string guitar - Cliff Ellery
12 string guitar - Gunther Stopa
Acoustic bass - Brian Norris
4. BALLAD OF THE YARMOUTH CASTLE (5:10) - Joe S. Cline, Charlotte NC
Vocal, 6 string guitars - Joe S. Cline
Bass - Darrell Gray
Concertina - Mary Fluke
5. SIT DOWN YOUNG STRANGER (3:37) - Doug Ferris, Bakersfield CA
Vocal, 6 string guitar - Doug Ferris
Lead 6 string guitar - David Ferris
Bass - Gordon Griesel
6. THE PONY MAN (3:31) - Arthur Grossman, North Reading MA
Vocal, 6 string guitar - Arthur Grossman
Keyboards - Wayne Francis
7. BEND IN THE WATER (3:14) - Derek Kidd, Palo Alto CA
Vocals, 6 & 12 string guitars, bass, keyboard, drum program, percussion -
Derek Kidd
8. IF CHILDREN HAD WINGS (3:06) - Triptych, Melbourne Australia
Vocal, 6 string guitar - Cliff Ellery
6 string guitar - Gunther Stopa
Acoustic bass - Brian Norris
9. BABY STEP BACK (4:11) - Derek Kidd, Palo Alto CA
Vocals, 6 & 12 string guitars, bass, keyboard, drum program, percussion -
Derek Kidd
10.KNOTTY PINE (3:54) - Wayne Francis, Charlottetown PEI
Vocal, 6 string guitar, keyboard, percussion - Wayne Francis
11.FADING AWAY (2:57) - Wayne Francis, Charlottetown PEI
Vocal, 6 string guitars, organ, drum program, tambourine, bass -
Wayne Francis
AN INTERNET TRIBUTE TO GORDON LIGHTFOOT - VOLUME 2 (Released June 1997)
Listener's Comments
===================
"Received my 'Tribute 2' CD today and it is excellent!!! Very, very
nice!!! The CD cover looks great and the performances and sound quality
are very professional!! It is well worth the money and I wouldn't be
without it in my Lightfoot collection..... and guess what, it even has a
very special 'bonus track'!!"
Dave Sims - Raytown Missouri
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"Got the CD today. BRAVO! And what a nice surprise "Weaver Of The Moonlight"
is! I REALLY like it. Thanks for all the hard work."
Donnie Budd - Arlington, TX
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"First rate job, Wayne and everyone involved! Keep 'em coming!"
Bill Drummond - Kamloops, BC
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"Just a note to let you know how much I enjoy listening to T2. I received
my copy last Saturday -- thanks for the prompt delivery! It certainly is a
more than worthy successor to the original Tribute and I was really
impressed by the terrific performances and overall outstanding sound. As in
the original Tribute, there's a very nice song selection from all eras of
GL's music. I enjoyed the variety of performances as well, from the simple
elegance of only guitar and vocals to the more ambitious productions
involving other instruments and background vocals. You and everyone involved
in this project can be very proud of doing such a fine job!"
Norma Kateeb - Orland Park, IL
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"Great song choices, great recordings... just great! Not to mention the
bonus track at the end. Love it!"
Shelley Cook - Tampa, FL
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"I received the Tribute CD the other day and finally got to listen to it the
whole way through. Also, thanks for your surprise track to close to the
collection. I sincerely hope Gord gets a chance to listen and take it all
in. The collection has a nice assortment from throughout Gord's career.
It's amazing how many songs are still left that I would vote inclusion on
Volume 3. The tribute is a necessary addition to any Lightfoot afficianado's
collection. There is a special magic in hearing someone else interpret
Gord's material that illustrates the brilliance of the lyrics. Everyone's
vocal and instrument talents are different; the common link on the
compositions are lyrics full of meanings woven into simple, pleasant
melodies. The production is first-rate and a surprise track sums up the
feelings of those whose lives have been touched by this humble troubadour.
Great job, Wayne and all the others who contributed."
John Wicklund - Vadnais Hills, MN
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"Well done. Are you planning three?"
Sheli Teitelbaum - Los Angeles, CA
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"I'm sitting here listening to Tribute 2 (for the 4th time) and I'm still
overwhelmed! I ordered it on a whim expecting to hear a few crude home
recordings by some loyal fans, but this CD has major label sound quality.
Most impressive! Great surprise song at the end, Wayne. I'll be ordering up
Volume 1 right away!"
Lloyd Jay - Auburn, ME
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"The package arrived this morning, thanks a lot. Sounds good..like being at
a family party, except I'm not singing... Thanks again.."
Sheila B. - London, UK
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Tribute 2 Track Listing
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1. WHISPERS OF THE NORTH (3:08) - Matt Carl, Lansing MI
Guitar, vocal - Matt Carl
Shakers, background vocal - Chris Carl
Rain stick, background vocal - Brian Carl
Background vocals - Deb Carl, Rick Curtis
2. FAREWELL TO ANNABEL (3:38) - Jack Mullins, Suffern NY
Guitar, vocal, harmonica - Jack Mullins
3. SAME OLD LOVERMAN (2:55) - Ed Mullen, Wayne NJ
Guitar, vocal - Ed Mullen
4. SUNDOWN (3:45) - Kevin Berlin, Milwaukee WI
Guitars, vocal, bass, drum program, percussion - Kevin Berlin
5. LET IT RIDE (3:57) - Wayne Francis, Charlottetown PEI
Guitar, vocal, bass, percussion, keyboard - Wayne Francis
6. BITTER GREEN (3:00) - Dan Davis, Woodstock ON
Guitar, vocal - Dan Davis
7. DON QUIXOTE (3:50) - Doug Ferris, Bakersfield CA
Guitar, vocal, kneeslaps - Doug Ferris
Lead guitar - David Ferris
Bass - Gordon Griesel
8. RACE AMONG THE RUINS (3:14) - Tim Dabbs, Allen Park MI
Guitars, vocal, bass - Tim Dabbs
Background vocal, percussion - Amy Dabbs
9. IF YOU NEED ME (2:41) - Derek Kidd, Palo Alto CA
Guitars, vocal, bass, drum program, percussion, keyboard - Derek Kidd
10. EAST OF MIDNIGHT (3:56) - John Thaler, Los Angeles CA
Guitar, vocal - John Thaler
Lead guitar - Joe Anthony Cadrecha
11. HOME FROM THE FOREST (2:57) - Ray Parker, San Jose CA
Guitar, vocal - Ray Parker
12. EARLY MORNING RAIN (4:01) - Keith Dunnigan, Collinsville IL
Guitar, vocal - Keith Dunnigan
13. ODE TO BIG BLUE (4:08) - Don Batty, Springfield IL
Guitars, vocal - Don Batty
14. LONG WAY BACK HOME (3:00) - Triptych, Melbourne Australia
Guitar, vocal - Cliff Ellery
Lead guitar - Gunther Stopa
Bass - Brian Norris
15. SHADOWS (3:12) - Tom May, Eatonville WA
Guitar, vocal - Tom May
Bass - Bill Ritchie
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To order either Tribute, send cash, check or money order in the amount of:
US orders - $15 (US funds)
Canadian orders - $19 (Canadian funds)
Overseas orders - $18 (US funds)
Orders can be sent to:
Wayne Francis
5 Harris St.
Charlottetown, PEI
Canada C1E 1C6
Price includes delivery.
Feel free to contact me with any inquiries at wfra...@peinet.pe.ca