Here’s another Gordon Lightfoot tune that may not be as recognizable as many of the other songs of his that I’ve covered here. Somehow, “I’ll be Alright” crept into my consciousness and I’m happy to offer my cover of the song in this post. To me, the song is as lovely and memorable as many of Lightfoot’s hits including: “If You Could Read My Mind,” “Early Morning Rain,” and “Song For A Winter’s Night.”
Please enjoy this remembrance of the one and only Gordon Lightfoot.
Life is a walking meditation.
And life is infinitely more interesting when I realize I am not here to fit in.
Cat Stevens rose to prominence as a folk and pop artist in the 1970s. I’ve always enjoyed the thread of childlike innocence and spontaneity that runs through his music. After a near-death experience, Stevens began a serious search for a deeper meaning in life. In 1977, he left his rock and roll lifestyle and converted to Islam adopting the name Yusuf Islam.
Stevens wrote “The Wind” five years before his conversion. The song has always been one of my favorites. It’s a simple song that speaks volumes. In a 2022 Rolling Stone interview, Stevens (Yusuf) shared these thoughts about The Wind:
“I’m talking to somebody; I think it’s the divine, but I’m not quite sure, and because I’m not sure, it’s universal. My goal was to be able to detach myself from my physical surroundings and material things. I was very earnestly searching. I would visit esoteric bookshops whenever I could, and pick up whatever new pathway to the truth I could find.”
Here’s my cover of the song played in Yusuf Islam’s unique guitar style.
Born in San Francisco, Kate Wolf started her musical career in the band Wildwood Flower before recording ten records as a solo artist. Her songs have since been recorded by famous artists such as Nanci Griffith and Emmylou Harris. “Poet’s Heart,” recorded in 1985, is the last album Kate released before her untimely death at the age of forty-four. During her life, Wolf’s music was not widely known beyond the borders of her home state of California. Over the years, Kate has attracted a broader audience of millions who appreciate her beautiful voice, poetic song lyrics, and guitar/piano artistry. “Poet’s Heart” features several songs which have touched me deeply such as, “Slender Thread,” “Brother Warrior,” and the title song, “Poet’s Heart.”
Here’s my version of “Poet’s Heart.”
Lately, I’ve been posting on Facebook images of late 18th century impressionist paintings and 1930-40’s Art Deco cars and architecture. I’ve also been listening to and playing a lot of Kate Wolf’s music. I believe the unifying theme of these adventures is BEAUTY.
What I’m about to say may seem odd, self-inflated, or downright delusional, but what the hell. I’m going to say it anyway. It seems that I’m undergoing a dramatic shift in consciousness. I’m focusing on, feeling, and sensing the beauty and light within me and around me.
I’m choosing to focus on this beauty, not as some kind of self-improvement practice. It’s something I want to do. I don’t have to impose it on myself. You might say “the sun in my heart is rising,” finally, after all these years of struggling to arise out of the negativity in and around me. It’s not that the negativity has gone away. It’s just easier and more desirable to focus on something better.
It’s something that comes from inside and outside of me. It’s something that is beautiful, peaceful, and fulfilling. It’s something that beats the hell out of the over-controlled grind of daily life.
I started with the intention of sharing a selection of the beautiful images and music I mentioned earlier. I may have gotten a bit side-tracked along the way. So, without further delay:
My version of “Poet’s Heart” written by Kate Wolf Copyright 1985
Born in San Francisco, Kate Wolf started her musical career in the band Wildwood Flower before recording ten records as a solo artist. Her songs have since been recorded by famous artists such as Nanci Griffith and Emmylou Harris. “Poet’s Heart,” recorded in 1985, is the last album Kate released before her untimely death at the age of forty-four. During her life, Wolf’s music was not widely known beyond the borders of her home state of California. Over the years, Kate has attracted a broader audience of millions who appreciate her beautiful voice, poetic song lyrics, and guitar/piano artistry. “Poet’s Heart” features several songs which have touched me deeply such as, “Slender Thread,” “Brother Warrior,” and the title song, “Poet’s Heart.”
Here’s my version of “Poet’s Heart.”
There is beauty within us. There is beauty everywhere in the world. All we have to do is to want to feel it and see it.
Even in the midst of darkness, this is the dawn of a new age. It may be difficult to believe it or see it, but it’s happening. Nothing can deny us our destiny in love. Not doubt. Not ignorance. Not fear.
Some of us are on the cutting edge of this new world. Kate Wolf was one of these visionaries. I’m a great admirer of her work and her music.
“At this time when the earth is waking.
To the dawn of another age.
I tell you now.
There is no reason to be afraid.”
Excerpt from “Brother Warrior” by Kate Wolf ©1985
One of these days I’ll get a band to play with. For now, here’s my cover of “Brother Warrior.”
If I am empty, what is there to give? If I’m in pieces, what kind of love can I feel for the other?
Living from a whole and complete foundation is the way to live.
Giving from a connected place has power. Living from a connected place has power.
Now, it’s time to become connected.
Not just once in a while.
Not in and out.
Not inconsistently.
Let’s do it.
Now.
But how?
I’m not sure, but, what else is there left to do?
Except to finish the job.
It’s down to you and me.
I’ve been avoiding it, but it had to come.
Sooner or later.
Starting out as a drip, drip drip.
Blossoming into a thundering torrent of voices.
Voices inside of me.
Voices outside of me.
I have to stop listening to the outside voices.
I am the only one who can take it from here.
I have a singular path.
Lit by a glimmering light source.
One step at a time.
I must walk alone.
With no guide posts.
Listening only to whispers.
Hints, if you will.
Going where?
I wish I knew.
I only know I have to go there.
Or die of an empty heart in a grave of my own yearning.
It could be the cover of a Romance Novel minus the photo shopping.
It could be a sexy man attempting to kiss a woman for the first time.
It could be a dream come true for both partners.
It could be anything, really, even a metaphor for life itself.
Is life a dream that all of us are dreaming?
Are we dreaming our own unique dreams within the big dream?
I think the answer is “yes.”
Do dreams come true?
I believe it depends upon the dreamer. Does he or she believe the universe is a loving grantor of dreams?
Does he or she believe the universe will grant the dreams that come from the heart of all Being?
What price must we pay to realize our dreams?
The bigger the dream, the higher the price.
Is that the way it works?
Does there have to be a price?
How much talent is required?
Can it be simple?
Or does it have to be complicated?
Do we create our own reality?
Yes, I believe we do.
Consciously or unconsciously.
What happens when a dream is realized?
There is one simple answer.
It’s not rocket science.
When the dream is realized
We can enjoy it
Then
We must dream again.
Three Days to Darkness 