#joan tasoni

[krispyweiss]

Movie Review: “Gordon Lightfoot: If You Could Read My Mind”

“Gordon Lightfoot: If You Could Read My Mind” ends with a montage of the title subject singing the title song through the decades.

The sights and sounds are startling, as Lightfoot has gone through so many physical changes that he’s virtually unrecognizable in a number of the clips. He’s also the rare vocalist whose voice has gotten higher over the years.

Running 90 minutes and spanning virtually all of Lightfoot’s then-79 years - the film features an audio recording of the future superstar singing soprano in the church choir through to the almost-octogenarian, still smoking cigarettes, playing the famed Massey Hall before it closed for a major renovation in 2018 - “If You Could Read My Mind” paints a complete portrait of Canada’s favorite son, complete with a bunch of surprises.

One minor shocker - one that can be told without giving away too much - is the final version of “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” is the band’s first take with very few overdubs.

To help advance the story, the contemporary Lightfoot walks the Toronto streets he walked as a young hopeful, telling tales along the way. He sings the songs that made him a Canadian national hero and an American-radio perennial. He and his parents - the singer is a junior, another minor revelation - discuss his drive in an early-career interview. And his many fans - mostly, but not all, fellow Canadians - praise the man they call “Gord” for his ability as singer, songwriter and musician who reads and notates music fluently.

Rush’s Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson, the Guess Who’s Burton Cummings and Randy Bachman, Anne Murray, Sarah McLachlan, Steve Earle, Ian and Sylvia and - weirdly - Alec Baldwin are among the artists who marvel at his songs. Neil Young, Glen Campbell Johnny Cash, Peter, Paul and Mary and others sing them in archival clips and audio snippets.

Filmmakers Martha Kehoe and Joan Tosoni erred in not putting dates on historical footage, leaving viewers to guess when certain performances and interviews took place. And though the documentary mentions his struggles with - and ultimate abandonment of - alcohol, it also ignores health problems, including a stroke, that kept him off the road for long stretches.

Even with that, people who know Lightfoot only from the radio will come away with a deeper appreciation for the artist. And those who own everything he’s ever released will likewise learn a thing or two - or 10.

Lightfoot has regrets - he stopped playing “(That’s What You Get) For Loving Me” after becoming embarrassed by its chauvinism - and wishes he had better treated the women he loved. Ultimately though, Lightfoot - sitting at a desk and pondering his life story - thinks it’s been a pretty good ride overall.

After watching “If You Could Read My Mind,” it’s easy to see why.

Grade card: “Gordon Lightfoot: If You Could Read My Mind” - A-

9/1/20

#gordon lightfoot: if you could read my mind #gordon lightfoot #martha kehoe #joan tasoni #anne murray #alex lifeson #geddy lee #rush #burton cummings #randy bachman #the guess who #bachman turner overdrive #alec baldwin #neil young #crosby stills nash and young #buffalo springfield #sarah mclachlan #steve earle #ian & sylvia #glen campbell #peter paul and mary #johnny cash

[krispyweiss]

Gordon Lightfoot Doc, “If You Could Read My Mind,” Set for 2020 Release

The contemporary Gordon Lightfoot - a skinny octogenarian with shoulder-length hair - recalls writing “Early Morning Rain” and calls the song “one of my biggest, most-important tunes.”

With that, the trailer for the forthcoming documentary “Gordon Lightfoot: If You Could Read My Mind” shifts to black-and-white footage of the young, clean-cut artist singing his then-new number and the arc and span of Lightfoot’s career, which includes hits like the title cut, “Sundown” and “Carefree Highway” to go with 10 million albums sold, is immediately apparent.

Directed by Martha Kehoe and Joan Tosoni, the CBC film traces Lightfoot’s career from up-and-comer to major celeb hobnobbing with Bob Dylan and battling requisite demons to Canadian institution. It will make its American debut later in 2020 and features appearances from Steve Earle, Sarah McLachlan and Alec Baldwin among others.

Lightfoot, says Geddy Lee, “is one of the greatest examples of timeless singer/songwriters.”

“I’m grateful,” Lightfoot says as footage of a recent concert rolls by. “I’ve been gifted.”

5/6/20

#gordon lightfoot #gordon lightfoot: if you could read my mind #cbc #bob dylan #sarah mclachlan #geddy lee #alex lifeson #rush #alec baldwin #steve earle #martha kehoe #joan tasoni