Feist Covers the Tragically Hip's "Flamenco" in Tribute to Gord Downie

BY Calum SlingerlandPublished May 27, 2016

The Canadian music world was shaken this past week with the news of Tragically Hip frontman Gord Downie's brain cancer diagnosis. Fans and artists alike have given Downie and company their best wishes, while fellow Canadian Leslie Feist has paid tribute by covering one of the band's songs.

Using only her voice and an acoustic guitar, the songwriter has recorded a stripped-down version of "Flamenco" from the band's 1996 record Trouble at the Henhouse.

"For Gord. We'll all be there this summer to see you bring out the new songs with your singular guts and panache.... and the golden oldies that are so golden," she wrote alongside the track. "All my respect, admiration and love, Leslie."

A close friend of Downie's, Feist also spoke to the New York Times about their relationship.

"My feelings are big for Gord, as they have been since I first met him 20 years ago," she told the paper. "He's always been a teacher to me for how to fight for the true view in a song and inhabit them with conviction. I admire him deeply and wish him strength and love in this struggle."

Hear Feist's rendition of "Flamenco" in the player below.

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