Gordon Lightfoot - Songbook

An institution north of the Canadian border, Gordon Lightfoot is practically the living embodiment of what many think of as the national character. Stoic, weathered, and hard-working, Lightfoot practices a husky brand of folk music that's as timeless as the Canadian landscape that seems to loom above his most memorable melodies. This overdue four-disc retrospective stretches all the way back to 1962, when the Ontario-born performer tried to make it in Nashville, up to 1998; 16 previously unreleased tracks and another 17 previously available only on vinyl add meat to its frame. Yes, the familiar tunes are here--"For Lovin' Me" (a hit for both Peter, Paul & Mary and Ian & Sylvia), "Early Morning Rain," "If You Could Read My Mind," "Sundown," "Carefree Highway," and the oft-parodied but truly evocative "Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald." But Songbook, like the artist it commemorates, isn't defined by radio staples. It's about the splendid expanse that is the decades-long career of a true musical workhorse. --Steven Stolder Amazon.com essential recording

Lost in the sixties tonight

This music was my life in the 60's. Now that I am in my 60's to listen to his music now is to be lost in those days. Listen to the words and you can fill a night with wonderful debate over wine and beer. Set down young stranger and and listen with a fine red dry wine. Or ride out to save the world with Don Quixote with a fruity white wine. Or Drink a toast with a Sam Adams to the Last time you saw her face. There is nothing better than being in your 60's, drinking wine and beer and reliving the 60's. I am sorry if you missed it. There was never a time like it and never will there be a another. Off into the Early Morning Rain. October 20, 2008

Maybe it's just me

I liked the Lightfoot stuff on United Artists. I LOVED the stuff on Warner Brothers. My problem with this set is that after Lightfoot settled on a recording group for several 70s albums in a row, they re-recorded some of the earlier songs, like "Bittergreen," with fuller instrumentation and better production. The songs here are great. They're just not the versions I have come to love. Better to splurge for a couple of volumes of "Gord's Gold," and a few LPs like "Summer Side of Life," and get the songs as Lightfoot finally and fully realized them. I bought this box set and was bitterly disappointed. His mature versions of the same songs are infinitely more moving.Gord's GoldSummer Side of LifeGord's Gold, Vol. 2 July 30, 2008

Great Set of Songs

This set encompasses both the well-known Lightfoot songs and a number of others--a great collection. February 24, 2008

Must have for Gordon Lightfoot fans

A wonderful journey through Gordon Lightfoot's career. His voice matures through the years represented on the 4 discs. The liner notes give some great background material. Lightfoot has been one of the most underrated writers and singers in the folk movement, as his insistence at doing things his way limited his commercial appeal in the US.

Hours of great music that is easy to listen to. The lyrics are so clear that you can really appreciate the poetry in these songs. Several songs have not appeared on other CD's.

A great find for Lightfoot fans. January 8, 2008

A MUST HAVE

I have followed Meistro Lightfoot's music since the middle 60's and have seen him in concert more times than I can count from Masey Hall to Washington state. His music opens my heart and warms my soul. Anyone who is a Gordon Lightfoot fan SHOULD have this collection as it traces his music career from the beginning. HIs voice is strong and the musicianship of both Gordon and his band is extraordinary. Speckign of that I think that it is unfortunate that Terry Clement's has not received more press for his extraordinary and understated guitar playing. His talent is absolutely amazing. If anyone has had the pleasure and the privilige of seeing Mr. Clements perform the leads on "The Auctioneer" live you certainly know what I mean. In 1979 I had the privilige of going to Gordon's boyhood home and meeting his mother (I have her autograph). There were fotos of Lightfoot all over the house. As I was about to leave there was a foto of a family gathering hanging in the kitchen. Mrs. Lightfoot ask me "See if you can find my lottle Gordy in that picture". I looked and could not. She pointed to a very young mother sitting in the middle of the family holding an infant child. Mrs. Lightfoot said "There I am holding my little Gordy..." November 18, 2007

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