Gordon Lightfoot - Sundown

This album wasn't Lightfoot's breakthrough recording, but it was both a demonstration of the rocking electric turn most folkies would make after Dylan's revolution, and a commercially successful marriage of soulful, R&B sensibility with folk narratives. The title cut is probably engrained in the memory of anyone with an A.M. radio in the '70s, but 20 years later, it sounds suggestive, even bluesy. "Carefree Highway" perhaps excessively romanticizes the road, but less familiar tracks like "Watchman's Gone" and "Too Late for Prayin'" are convincing statements of Lightfoot's lyrical endurance. --Roy Francis Kasten Amazon.com essential recording

A little trivia

I concur with the many positive reviews of this CD. "Carefree Highway" and "High and Dry" are my personal favorites. "High and Dry" is a perky folk/rock tune, with a female on harmony (rare for Gordon). Credited as "Catherine Smith", she is a/k/a Cathy Smith, who moved to Hollywood after Lightfoot, and injected the speedball that killed John Belushi. Charged with John's manslaughter but acquited. FYI, the version of "High and Dry" on Gord's Gold 2 is a re-record; no Cathy and a much weaker song. In their usual fashion, iTunes left this song off their partial-album version of this CD. July 16, 2008

A Desert Island Disc to be sure

To my ear, the Sundown album is not only Gordon Lightfoot's crowning achievement, but one of the best albums ever recorded. It is one of the only albums in my collection from the 70's that sounds as fresh today as it did at the time of its release. There is not a weak track on the album. From the intro of "Somewhere USA" to the final chord of "Too Late for Prayin'", Sundown remains a sublime listening experience. February 14, 2008

Great Lightfoot

Thirty years later, and this album is still one of my favorites. Easy, flowing lyrics and guitar. January 13, 2008

My favorite album of all time

This is Gordon Lightfoot's best album. "Watchman's Gone" and "Seven Island Suite" just add to his other two top hits "Sundown" and "Carefree Highway"."Circle of Steel" is another classic track. Beautifully written and beautifully played by the "Lightfoot" Band. January 11, 2008

Sundown - Great Listening

I bought this album in '73. It's a classic of great songwriting and arranging. In addition to Sundown and Carefree Highway, the rest are really good tunes. One album you can enjoy all the way through. January 3, 2008

More reviews at Amazon.com ...