In 1971, Gordon Lightfoot released an album titled Summer Side of Life. One of the tracks on the album, Cabaret, became one of my favorite songs. It was not a ‘typical’ Lightfoot song as it had an ethereal feel with horns and strings and written in a very melodic style. Midway through the song, though, you hear a deep sigh, a door slam and the tempo and feel of the song changes to a different level. I like the first part but I LOVE the second part. Lightfoot fans refer to the second half of the song as North Ontario.

Some time ago I mentioned how much I loved the song. My friend Fred Grittner casually mentioned that he had been singing North Ontario for years. I’ve never been shy about asking for music from my friends so I immediately jumped on him to record it. Which he did.

I love his version. Today they’re releasing music on LP’s. This one should be released on eight track. This is a truck driver song. The feel of the road, the syncopation and the steel guitar all bring the road to North Ontario to my mind.

Here’s Fred Grittner.