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May 27, 2016 Feist By Christopher Roberts

It was recently announced that Gord Downie, the frontman of Canadian rock mainstays The Tragically Hip, has been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. The 52-year-old has still vowed to go on one last tour, in support of the band’s newest album, Man Machine Poem, which is due out on June 17. Kevin Drew of Broken Social Scene co-produced that album and now in honor of Downie, Drew’s frequent collaborator/onetime romantic partner, Leslie Feist, has shared a sparse cover of The Tragically Hip’s “Flamenco,” from the band’s 1996 album Trouble At the Henhouse. Feist is, of course, also from Canada. Listen below.

The YouTube description for the cover reads: “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. All my respect, admiration and love, Leslie.”

Feist also spoke to The New York Times about the cover, saying: “My feelings are big for Gord, as they have been since I first met him 20 years ago. 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.”

Feist’s last album was 2011’s Metals. The Tragically Hip formed in 1984 and Man Machine Poem is their 13th album. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted his admiration for Downie on Tuesday (see his tweet below too).

Gord Downie is a true original who has been writing Canada’s soundtrack for more than 30 years. #Courage

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) May 24, 2016