Any love for Gordon Lightfoot?

He played it during one of the Rolling Thunder Revue shows.

It’s probably my favorite of his songs, which is a damn near impossible thing to pick. Conjures up the carefree feeling of being a single 20-something year old during a summer weekend, a beer in your hand, your best friend by your side, ready to set the night on fire and potentially end up in a beautiful stranger’s bed the next morning.

“Whatever it was, you know it was all because I’ve been on the town washing the ******** down.” Indeed.

 

Gord's early bassist, John Stockfish, was the bassist on the Croce album. Even appeared with Jim and Ingrid on television.

Croce's very first album, the one his parents gave him the money to record attempting to discourage him from pursuing music as a career, started with a Lightfoot cover, too.

 

Thanks for the link, I think Brad recommended this as well a few years ago.
I've been slowly grabbing his LP's and Cd's over the decades and this will fit in nicely

 

I'm sure you'll find plenty to enjoy. He's excellent!

 

I agree his voice is not what it once was but I agree he'd still be able to write great songs and it is his writing that is a major part that draws me to his music.

 

One of the very best songwriters with the warmest voice imaginable. What´s not to like?

My favourite of his is "MINSTREL OF THE DAWN". One of about 50. At least.

 

Now that is special!!!!!! Thank you for sharing; I have never heard it before. Literally just made my day!

 

Sure thing! I think you'll enjoy it quite a bit - great two disc set.

 

I'm a long time, serious fan. I've seen Gord in concert more times than I've seen any other artist.

I actually got to meet him (and entire band) briefly after a show in March, 2000. They were all beyond friendly, warm and accommodating. The entire band signed my Shadows vinyl LP cover.

I recommend the 4-disc, reasonably-priced Songbook box set to anyone interested in a thorough overview of Lightfoot's illustrious musical career.

 

A long time ago I borrowed Gord's Gold from the library, because as a Cub Scout while camping someone had a little AM radio and some classic rock station would play "Sundown." I liked his stuff a lot. Then I borrowed an earlier greatest hits compilation, quite different, not as polished, but I liked it as well. I've never managed to see him.

 

Hi all
Just spotted this thread. Great stuff everyone. There's been a lot of Lightfoot in my life!
Grew up listening to a lot of folk music & learning to play guitar in a duo with my dad. One of the earliest songs we played together was Early Morning Rain but the Peter Paul & Mary version. Later he brought home the Sit Down Young Stranger album & we had a go at If You Could Read My Mind & Bobby McGee. This would be circa 1972. Anyhow long story short, we both loved the guitar interplay between Gord & Red Shea & I was hooked.
Over the years I've bought every album & in particular love everything up to & including Dream Street Rose. However, I really wish he'd released a double live album around the mid-late 70s period like Denver, Dylan, Stewart etc as it would have really cemented his appeal here in England/Europe. Surely there's something in the archives?
I still break out a few Lightfoot tunes on my guitar from time to time there are so many great songs & always with interesting guitar parts.
He is so underrated & a fantastic artist.
Sorry for the long post!

 

It's always puzzled me that the song "Spin, Spin" was never included on "The United Artist Years" 3 CD set that was released here in Canada in '92 and then it was overlooked for inclusion on Rhino's 4 disc set "Songbook" in the late 90's. A missed opportunity.
I wonder why as it's a great song (and the B side cover of the Dylan tune is good too)

I once saw an original "45" of this at a record show years ago and didn't pick it up. That was a mistake as even then it was quite rare to find one in mint condition.

 

a great listen Jim is...: )

 

me too! will always be...

 

Indeed...great album.

 

they've got the same curls! LOL...

 

not a bean in the bunch!

 

It’s my top summer album. From the opening words of “Somewhere USA,” to the end of the “The List” (I often skip “Too Late For Praying”, because it seems out of place on the album.). The best antidepressant known to man, and I say that as a practicing psychiatrist.

 

Seven Island Suite is just superb - can never tire of it.

 

I must agree that Sundown is a “perfect” album.....in my small world maybe the only perfect one.

 

I've been a fan since the 60s. Discovered him first through other artists' covers of his songs, mainly Peter, Paul and Mary. Decided to check this lovely songwriter out. Quite hard work in Sweden in those days. But it was well worth the effort. Unfortunately I've never been able to see him live, don't think he's ever been here. Not exactly a household name in these parts even though I've done my best to introduce him to all my friends. Every one of them likes him

 

Just saw him in concert a couple of months ago. Still doing great shows at 80!

 

He did that song the first time I saw him, that was at Red Rocks in mid July of 1975. His "Sundown" release had been out for several months and several songs from that lp were played along with new material from his "Cold On The Shoulder" release. A great night with great weather! He was all over the board with his great catalog of songs.

 

Such a great songwriter. I have a cd a friend made of early stuff with sea shanties on it. Pretty cool.

 

I love Gord as well. But if you read a bit about how he was during the 70s....he was a bit of a piece of work. Glad he cleaned up.