What’cha Readin’? Thoughts on Writing Gordon Lightfoot by Dave Bidini CBC Music - Free Streaming Radio, Videos, Songs, Concerts & Playlists

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We're close to the end of May already and the What’cha Readin’ Book Club is almost done with Writing Gordon Lightfoot by respected author/musician, Dave Bidini. Some of you have been reading the book, which is great! In case you missed it, the big news is that I convinced Bidini to take part in a live chat about the book on Wednesday, May 23 at 12 p.m. ET. That's lunch time, right here in the Rock community, and you're invited to ask him some questions. It shall be grand.

Oh, if you haven't sent me an email yet about a copy of Writing Gordon Lightfoot that you've won here, what's the hold up bub? Please do write me at rock@cbc.ca with your shipping address, blog name, winning answer, and "Writing Vish Khanna" in the subject line.

So, Bidini's book is a kind of biography of Lightfoot but it's all framed around this week in 1972, where all sorts of incredible things happened leading up to a surprising edition of the Mariposa Folk Festival. There were prison riots, off-ice hockey fights, spirited chess matches, Exile on Main Street and an uncommon gathering of the world's best songwriters on Toronto Island. All the while, Gordon Lightfoot was living his life, a life that Bidini wanted to know more about. But Lightfoot won't talk to Bidini. Bidini thinks Lightfoot hates him, which, in turn, pisses Bidini off enough to write this book. It's all a bit melodramatic actually, but I can't turn away. I'm riveted and don't want it to end. But it has to and next week, we'll talk to Bidini about it. Unless he hates me now. Which will piss me off.

Do you have any thoughts about Writing Gordon Lightfoot to share with us this week? Are you a fan of Dave Bidini? How about Gordon Lightfoot? What do you make of these figures? Please let us know below.

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posted by Vish Khanna on May 17, 2012

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#1 posted by
MikeV
on May 18, 2012

Hello!

Started to read the book this week. I have to say in some ways I find it awkward to read knowing that Gordon Lightfoot is actually quite angry at Dave Bidini. I hope Dave doesn't get into any legal troubles because of this book. Nor do I wish for his car to be urinated on. That would be bad.

I was also quite surpried to hear that there haven't been more books about Gordon Lightfoot. I guess he really does keep to himself.

#2 posted by
TheIceman
on May 18, 2012

Hi Vish,

You said I had won, but I have still not recieved the book. Is the mail delivery service to Freddy Beach better than to Mississauga?

I will send you another e-mail reminding you.

#3 posted by
Vish Khanna
on May 18, 2012

Ian, I screwed up your address and it came back to me. I re-sent it yesterday. Sorry man.

I'm not even supposed to be here today.

#4 posted by
TheIceman
on May 18, 2012

Oh Vish! Enjoy your May 2-4 weekend! Thanks.

#5 posted by
TheIceman
on May 18, 2012

Hey Vish,

I got home today and peeking out of the mailbox- the book. I am super excited to read it, and a good chance this weekend I hope. Thanks so much!

#6 posted by
TheIceman
on May 18, 2012

Oh, and I was 17 in T.O. when it took place. How did I not go there, I am wondering?

#7 posted by
zoot aloors
on May 18, 2012

I will be well into Writing Gordon Lightfoot by the long weekend too, so far it's quite a fun read, and like MikeV, feel a fair amount of stress about Bidini and Lightfoot's eventual comeuppance. It's like two prizefighters locked in a stare-down! An amazing sensation to come from a book, that's for sure.

#8 posted by
zoot aloors
on May 20, 2012

Hey there! Just to pop in quick to make mention of tonight's(Sunday night)lunar eclipse, which weirdly parallels a vivid section in Bidini's book about a solar eclipse which occured during that fateful week of folk-star alignment in Ontario. I suggest enjoying the night-sky spectacle with some appropriate background music, BidiniBand & Lightfoot!

#9 posted by
zoot aloors
on May 20, 2012

OK, one more thing, and then back to my book, CBC Music producer extraordinaire Marie Bartlett interviewed Bidini in January, and asked him this interesting question - What albums are you looking forward to in 2012?

His reply: "There's the lost Captain Beefheart record that I'm gonna review and the Great Lake Swimmers just recorded where we did, at Revolution, so that should be great to hear. Also: RUSH. I think this is going to end being their great "later" period record."

...a guy after my own heart.

#10 posted by
koozebane
on May 20, 2012

Sigh, the postal service in Northern California turns into the Pony Express once Canadian mail comes into play. I'm hoping my copy will arrive before Wednesday's chat. (Of course, what with all the e-mail glitches I had, things might not have worked in the first place...do I need to re-send anything to the above address, Vish?) Sneaked a look at the opening chapter in an Amazon preview, and I'm definitely impressed with Dave's bravery for going on with the book anyway...I don't know if I would have been able to do that. Looking forward to the rest of the saga!

#11 posted by
zoot aloors
on May 20, 2012

Hi koozebane, happy to see you here! Thanks goodness there's so much great stuff to research right here in CBC Music about Dave, his bands, and his writing career, it'll be a snap to devise a question or two on the 28th interview!

#12 posted by
zoot aloors
on May 20, 2012

Also, since Vish's Book Club Blogs live on for weeks beyond the month's end, we can pick up the conversation when you finally do get Writing Gordon Lightfoot in your hands.

#13 posted by
zoot aloors
on May 20, 2012

re: Brave Dave

As well-loved and respected GL is, those in the know will also acknowledge his sometimes steely ways. He's just not the type to suffer fools, and has the aura of an old-school scraper.

#14 posted by
zoot aloors
on May 20, 2012

...that is to say, scrapper, GL scrapes for no-one.

#15 posted by
koozebane
on May 21, 2012

Thank you, Zoot Aloors! That's all good to know. I have read all of Dave's other books, but I'm eager to delve into this one. I guess it wouldn't hurt me to research some Lightfoot, too...

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blog post What’cha Readin’? Thoughts on Writing Gordon Lightfoot by Dave Bidini

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