Gordon Lightfoot: If You Could Read My Mind

I discovered Gordon's music when living in Canada years ago. His music quickly became a big part of this Australian's education in all things "Canada". My love and appreciation for his work was only enhanced further by Gordon's amazing response to my question in a reddit AMA session in 2014. All this without me knowing (at the time) that my Mum had seen him in concert (1974) during his only ever Australian tour!

Needless to say, this was one of my most ever anticipated documentaries. It didn't disappoint. I found myself smiling throughout as the tales behind various Lightfoot songs were shared, and Gord took us on a journey into his world, complete with childhood in small town Orillia. I read Nicholas Jennings' Lightfoot a couple of years ago, and found this documentary made the perfect companion piece. It was great to see Jennings' contributions here too.

The archive footage was fantastic to see and really transported me back in time to 1960s and 70s Toronto. I smiled as I recognised various places from Gordon's work and places I had been myself.

This documentary is as much a tribute and appreciation to Gordon Lightfoot as it is actual piece about him. There are a lot of talking heads here (Bad Religion singer Greg Graffin was one of the most surprising and insightful) and many mentions of cover songs by other artists. I would have preferred more of Gordon himself and even more in-depth discussion of Gordon's work. Perhaps features a little too much of how he has influenced countless other artists, as opposed to focusing on Gord's impressive catalogue and life.

There are enough performances here to please any Gord fan. This documentary is distinctively Canadian, just like the man himself. There is a refreshing self-awareness portrayed by Gord when reflecting on his life and mistakes. I could have easily watched 5 hours of this - he has certainly had a career and life that is interesting enough to fill even more. Definitely recommend to all Gordon Lightfoot fans and anyone that identifies as a Canadian.

Now to go spin my Lightfoot records!

Watching Gordon Lightfoot: If You Could Read My Mind was a pleasant way to spend 90 minutes, but something was lacking. Maybe this had to do with the life and career of this 80-year-old music legend's life being reduced to a mere 90 minutes. I wanted more. My only other complaint: Why feature Alec Baldwin over and over again? The interview snippets of him talking about Gordon Lightfoot puzzled both me and my friend. Alec Baldwin?? "That was the weirdest part of the movie," my friend said. Was it so hard to find relevant people to say insightful things about Gordon and his music that the filmmakers had to go with what I thought were banalities of an irrelevant?

But there are many pluses which include a lot of old footage, and Gordon singing of course. The best running theme of the film for me is Gordon reflecting on things, or just shooting the breeze. His lamentations of causing emotional trauma to the women in his life via his actions and his music juxtapose beautifully with his belief that the male-female dynamic is the single most fascinating force in the universe to him, and with his gorgeous lyrics and soulful crooning. The best moment of the film for me is when the Good Brothers talk about how Gordon can evoke such emotion from seemingly ordinary lines. One of the Goods recites the line "Is the home team still on fire, do they still win all their games, and by the way, did she mention my name", and gets so choked up he can barely finish it. I could so relate.

When it comes right down to it, I and the several other Gordon fans I talked to who have seen this doc love it for the simple fact that it's a doc about Gordon Lightfoot. How could that concept fail. Still, I wish it had been at least 2 hours long. Why edit it to 90 minutes. Make it 2 hours, replace Alec Baldwin talking about Gordon with esteemed musicians and/or esteemed Canadians and/or esteemed Canadian musicians talking about Gordon Lightfoot....10 out of 10 stars.

Very easy to forget Lightfoot's contribution to popular music. One masterpiece after another. Very much worth watching, particularly if you have never made an acquaintance with his music (in which case, you may discover that you know more than you thought).

It's already been mentioned by someone else but I have to ask it again....WTF is with Alec Baldwin commenting on Gordon Lightfoot? He's NOT a musician.....he's NOT a Canadian....and as far as it matters he's not a fan it seems...so why do we want to hear his comments about a Canadian musical legend ? This documentary was done late in Lightfoot's life and what it lacks in vibrancy it makes up with a sort of honesty we don't usually see in public people until honesty can't cost them any fan-base.....such is the case here I suspect although he does seem to be the kind of person who does, and has always done it his way...with a few exceptions he talks about. A bit about his childhood in Orillia and a bit about his early life as a musician learning both the trade and the politics behind the trade and he learned them both well. Selections of his songs and several performances enhance this somewhat uninspired piece but if you're a fan of his, this is definitely going to please you. Not long enough and not comprehensive enough and definitely not featuring enough fellow musicians...many of whom made huge hits with HIS words and emotions, it's still a good documentary and, all in all , a well spent time and a little bit learned about him that I didn't already know.

Singer/songwriter, Gordon Lightfoot (born 1938) is definitely one of my very favorite Canadian musicians of his generation, bar none.

There are so many of Lightfoot's songs that I enjoy listening to on a regular basis. I have the greatest respect for this man and his music.

Through stills, archival footage, and interviews (including those with Lightfoot) - This informative bio-documentary takes a close-up look at the life and career of a true Canadian icon, Gordon Lightfoot.