Gordon Lightfoot follows Bob Dylan's appearance on Johnny Cash Show

August 26th, 1969: Gordon Lightfoot appeared on the second episode of The Johnny Cash Show in June, performing a duet with Cash of "For Lovin' Me."

Watch the performance below.

Lightfoot recently spoke with Lon Goddard from The Record Mirror about recording music, Bob Dylan's appearance on The Johnny Cash Show and where he finds writing inspiration.

GL: "I'm not a poet like Leonard Cohen. I could never cut another disc and do only live dates, but the public wouldn't like it because records have become a medium that is demanded. TV is a mill. It takes away from the performer. They watch you and then they see a soap jingle. There are a couple of exceptions."

Listen below to a live performance of "I'm Not Sayin'/Ribbon of Darkness" from Lightfoot's latest album, Sunday Concert.

GL: "I've just taped a Johnny Cash Show in the States. Dylan did the first one and I've done the second. The good thing about the show is that they allow you to be yourself. Dylan is very good when he isn't hampered by producers and directors, but if he's bent around, he gets uptight. He is superb on the Cash Show and I hope there is enough demand to bring the series over to Britain. It's the same thing in recording that often crops up in television - you get a producer that tries to tell the artiste what to do. You must get one that listens to the artiste and not vice versa. That is why so many artistes are moving into production."

On songwriting, Lightfoot continued.

GL: "I think about songs, but I don't write about specific things. I can't describe in detail how to write one, but sometimes it's best to get the body in motion in order to get the mind in motion. Being in a place — an environment — has an effect on the emotions and the senses. I find London, San Francisco, Montreal and New York have that quality. In big cities you get a feeling of people living. You write songs about people and their experiences. Sometimes a good initial idea may roll right out in a matter of minutes and sometimes it may take weeks. Starting is easy, but finishing is hard. Developing an idea is also a tough part. The hint is not to spell it out specifically, yet to make certain the point of view is evident. A good idea can often be ruined by overwork and complicating it. It must not be direct, but by the time the song is over, you know what you've been through."

In case you missed it, below is Bob Dylan on episode one of The Johnny Cash Show from earlier this year. Dylan performed a duet of "Girl From The North Country" with Johnny Cash.