Alberta Cowboy Poetry's Barbwire Dispatch

Continuing on with my Christmas/ winter theme songs, here is another by Gordon Lightfoot. You can sort of imagine him writing this song in a little log cabin in... front of the fire place on a cold snowy winter night, but he actually wrote it in a hotel room in Cleveland during a summer thunder storm. It was released in 1967 on his The Way I Feel Album. I am finger picking this song (not all that well), which is not my usual playing style, and I used my old Martin 00-18H. It seemed to call out to me to play this song. It is so loud that it sometimes almost drowns me out. Huge voice for a small bodied guitar! December here has been unusually warm and dry here but we do have a couple inches of snow now and today is chilly, feeling a little more like Christmas. For those of you locked down by Covid and away from loved ones, here is Song for a Winter’s Night. See more

Another weekend has come and gone. Only one more weekend before Christmas. Hope you enjoy the poem I've chosen to share today.

Well yesterday was Gordon Lightfoot’s 82nd birthday. That’s all the excuse I need to play another one of his songs. This comes from his second studio album, The... Way I Feel, from 1967. I learned to play guitar by listening and playing along and I knew almost every song on his first three albums and many more after that. I’ve seen him in concert I think 4 times. The last time was 6 or 7 years ago. His voice had weakened some and he was looking pretty frail but it was still a wonderful concert. He was still touring up until the pandemic hit and I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets back at it again when it’s over. Happy birthday Gordon Lightfoot and thanks for all the incredible music! Here’s Home From The Forest. See more

I got the idea from a friend whom also hurt his wrist ANTIQUITY STATUS I am nearing antiquity status ... Not sure just what that means I spent my life in a saddle But now, just in my dreams I've rode some really good horses I think now, they are no more Been years since I sat in a saddle I sit here and stare at the floor I never dreamed it would happen I'd survive the passing of time But here I am just a whining Outlived the days of my prime Yes I'm nearing antiquity status I'll be in a league of my own At least in my mind, all of time In this old age, retirement home. Written by Noel Burles Dec 13 2020

Here's a little poem i've been working on the last couple of days. Not war and peace but i think it's a fun read. Hope you enjoy it.

Trying to develop a different style of guitar playing so... Anyway golden oldie Ned Miller Man Behind the Gun

Last Thursday I had to haul some calves up to a feedlot east of Airdrie. It’s about a 5 hour round trip. Of course my radio was tuned to CKUA. ( ckua.com for al...l of you outside of Alberta. Check it out) It so happened it was Neil Young’s 75 th birthday that day and it was non stop Neil music from 6 AM to 6PM. Everything from Buffalo Springfield to CSNY, to Crazy Horse and covers by other artists. I heard some of the old favorites and some I’d forgotten about,plus many I’d never heard. I’ve been a fan, mostly of his acoustic side...Old Man, Heart of Gold, Harvest Moon, but something about his Grunge and Rock side just can’t be denied. That wall of distorted guitars and the scathing lyrics on Rockin in the Free World and the amazing lead guitar in Like a Hurricane or Hey Hey MyMy. I like it all. He’s an amazing artist. I decided I should do one of my favorites from his Harvest Moon album of 1982. Such a great album! This song is especially meaningful in these Covid lockdown times. This goes out to all the friends and relatives that we can’t go visit and enjoy. Here’s One of These Days. So,happy birthday Neil and may we all keep on rockin in the free world! See more