 |  | A Solid 4 1/2 from a Mature Artist. |  |
With this album and Don Quixote, Gordon Lightfoot approaches the zenith of his songwriting, fully achieved in Sundown and Cold on the Shoulder. As others have said, there are many classics here -- some known and others not so much. While "Summer Side of Life" and "Cotton Jenny" are justly well known, there are other, lesser known songs here that make my jaw drop open whenever I hear them: "Talking in Your Sleep," "Go My Way," "Miguel" among them.
This CD is also interesting in Lightfoot's canon because of its decidedly Canadian and yet country sound that is, in a subtle way, unlike anything else he's done. I also like the country vocal choir employed periodically throughout and used to great effect.
I do have quibbles though: I think the second half of the CD is just not as strong as the first half. There, I said it. Having said this, I must add that a Lightfoot album with a couple of lesser songs on it ("Cabaret" "Love and Maple Syrup") is still worlds better than 99% of what's out there.
Finally, I agree with some other reviewers: If you like Lightfoot, you must own this. Forget the compilations. I've been listening to the CD (and before it, this album on vinyl) for 30 years now. It is great music, timeless music.
July 1, 2008 | | There are some early masterpieces here | |
From the ethereally plaintive 'Talking in Your Sleep,' to the romp of 'Cotton Jenny,' this is quintessential Gordon Lightfoot. I'm haunted by 'Ten Degrees and Getting Colder,' but it's a good haunting. This is one of the earlier great 12 string songs that Gordon has continued to pour out over time. The 'Summer Side of Life' itself is a subtle treatment of the Viet Nam experience that combines Folk with soaring Gospel. 'Nous Vivons Ensemble' seems to be from another era, but still draws your attention, and Miguel has a warm and catchy riff that you find youself tuning back to...
In some ways it's a period piece, bringing you back to 1970. This is clear in the Cotton Jenny riff at the end of each verse (after the wheels of love line) - it actually has a late 60s pop feel. Above all 'Talking in Your Sleep' stands as timeless. It could fit in today's music, and is the crowning work of this collection.
The other songs have their points, it may just take a little longer for them to sink in, as is sometimes the case with Lightfoot. You start out with two or three hooks and end up wanting to listen to almost everything. I would have bought it just to hear the following verse "Now he's traded off his Martin, but his troubles are not over, for his feet are almost frozen and the sun is sinkin low."
April 12, 2006Gordon Lightfoot's 'Summer Side of Life' released in '71 was his seventh album overall and his second under the Reprise label. Continuing his rise in popularity in the U.S. this -11 track- collection contains many memorable tunes, some of the best being; 'Miguel', 'Cotton Jenny' and my personal favorite, "Talking In Your Sleep.'
March 17, 2006| | | This Album Is Worth the Price of the CD Just for "Miguel" | |
Buy this CD right now! If "Miguel" isn't one of the top 100 most beautiful songs ever written on the planet Earth, then I've never ever heard a gorgeous Gershwin or Cole Porter or Lerner & Lowe or Paul Simon or Bob Marley or Woody Guthrie or Joni Mitchell or Bob Dylan or Lennon & McCartney song in my life!! Curiously, "Miguel" isn't on GL's relatively recent 4-CD boxed set (which is complete craziness!). The rest of this album features some of Gordon's most compelling writing, as well, with "10 Degrees and Getting Colder," "Cabaret," "Cotten Jenny" (a textbook example of metaphorically perfect lyrics), "Nous Vivons Ensemble," and "Talking in Your Sleep" being absolute keepers. From 1966 to 1982, Gordon put out about 12 perfect albums, where you wanted to hear every melodic, literate, high-quality song (with no "filler" on any of the records). Summer Side of Life is definitely one of the "magnificent dozen!" But "Miguel," all by itself is worth the price of the CD. By the way, I'm a songwriter myself, and I guarantee I would sell my soul to old Mr. Scratch and/or any of his minions for the privilege to have written such a compellingly memorable tune!!!
June 27, 2004This is a great CD, probably his finest. Ironically, "Cotton Jenny" - the one song that most will be familiar with - is the weakest song here. The second "side" in particular is far more diverse than most Gordon Lightfoot tends to be. Songs like "Same Old Loverman" and "Love and Maple Syrup" are just as good if not better than his singles from the era. Even if you have the Complete Greatest Hits, this is well worth owning!
May 28, 2004More reviews at Amazon.com ...
