Gordon Lightfoot Albums
mattaleshire17 Gordon Lightfoot is one of my favorite singer-songwriters of all time, and is underrated when pop music icons are discussed. I try to promote his unique blend of folk/country/pop music wherever I go. Fans of almost every genre will find something enjoyable within these nineteen albums. I hope that this listing itself is enjoyable. Furthermore, it is my fervent wish that those not familiar with this Canadian legend will check out at least his bigger hits, and that those old fans, like myself, can rediscover just the pure beauty of his voice and his lyrics.
List Criteria: Studio albums only, no live stuff or compilations...
- 1
Summer Side of Life
Gordon Lightfoot“ 1971 (Reprise) - This album, for me, is the epitome of the Gordon Lightfoot sound. With strong and full vocals, entrancing and sometimes ethereal melodies and arrangements, and the full-fledged dealings of a master wordsmith, Lightfoot bobs and weaves through different styles while keeping the sound that would define his 70's. One of my favorite albums of all time, by any artist. „ - 2
Don Quixote
Gordon Lightfoot“ 1972 (Reprise) - Don Quixote is just a fun album all around. It contains a Shel Silverstein cover ('On Susan's Floor'), a protest song ('The Patriot's Dream'), and my parents' wedding song ('Beautiful'). Rich guitar solo arrangements alone make this an album fun to sing along to, and it's one of my all time favorites for sentimental reasons. „ - 3
Sundown
Gordon Lightfoot“ 1974 (Reprise) - The only GL album to hit #1 never disappoints, although I never was too high on the title track, which also went to the top of the charts. Most of the album is full-on Lightfoot, folk style, before his foray into the electric sound experiment. It contains two songs ('The List', 'Circle of Steel') that don't seem to really belong to the rest of the album, but they are both masterfully performed and enjoyable nonetheless. „ - 4
Waiting For You
Gordon Lightfoot“ 1993 (Reprise) - Waiting For You was considered a comeback of sorts, since it was Lightfoot's first album since 1986's East of Midnight, and also because, with a couple exceptions, he reverted back to his folk sound. Old Gord's voice was noticibly higher and feebler perhaps, but the songs included (including a classy cover of Dylan's 'Ring Them Bells') were some of the best lyrically since the early 1970's. „ - 5
Lightfoot!
Gordon Lightfoot“ 1966 (United Artists) - The official debut album was full of fun singalong songs and bluesy howlers, and gave the world a sneak peek at the artist that would transcend songwriting for the next forty-plus years. A few covers, well-chosen and very nicely done indeed. What a voice! „ - 6
Did She Mention My Name
Gordon Lightfoot“ 1968 (United Artists) - This was all over the place musically. Nevertheless, it worked in such a way as to brilliantly showcase Lightfoot's versatility. 'The Last Time I Saw Her' has been known to move me to the brink of tears. Five tracks later ('The Mountains and Maryann), hope begins to build, and then 'Boss Man' at number ten has me clapping my hands. A well-constructed album all around. „ - 7
Cold on the Shoulder
Gordon Lightfoot“ 1975 (Reprise) - Cold on the Shoulder marked, for me, the full maturation of Lightfoot the man, if not always Lightfoot the singer or Lightfoot the writer. I guess I've always viewed this album as a direct sequel to 'Summer Side Of Life' even though several albums fell in between chronologically. The first and last tracks ('Bend In The Water,' 'Slide On Over') did their best to keep the mood light, but in between was a glimpse into the dark side of Gord's songwriting process. „ - 8
Shadows
Gordon Lightfoot“ 1982 (Warner Brothers) - Shadows was easily the best of Lightfoot's synthesized, more contemporary albums from the late 1970's and early 1980's. The ballads on this album are simply outstanding and among his best ever, particularly the love-infused title track. Some of the last great vocal performances of his career. „ - 9
The Way I Feel
Gordon Lightfoot“ 1967 (United Artists) - Lightfoot's second attempt, although lacking compared to his debut, was still very pleasant. This one includes 'Canadian Railroad Trilogy,' which had originally been commissioned by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation as part of a program celebrating Canada's centennial. Aside from that, many other enjoyable rhythms, melodies and wordplay adorn the tracks on 'The Way I Feel.' „ - 10
Endless Wire
Gordon Lightfoot“ 1978 (Warner Brothers) - A lot of otherwise knowledgeable Lightfoot fans are somewhat sour to 'Endless Wire,' and I've always wondered why. Although the commercial success (along with that of his later albums) dipped, I find it superior to several of his more popular albums (see the next entry). The pains from both his battle with alcoholism and his marital issues shine (gloom?) through in the songwriting, and it's not a bad little album at all. „ - 11
Sit Down Young Stranger
Gordon Lightfoot“ 1970 (Reprise) - The best-selling album on this list contains both my favorite GL song of all time (the title track), and one of the first recorded versions of 'Me And Bobby McGee.' However, I find that the simplistic nature of the songs on this one, although sometimes so beautiful, often leave me wanting more out of them. 'Sit Down Young Stranger' was rebranded 'If You Could Read My Mind' after that song became enormously and deservedly successful. „ - 12
Dream Street Rose
Gordon Lightfoot“ 1980 (Warner Brothers) - Dream Street Rose is one of my favorite Lightfoot albums to listen to because it brings back a lot of memories for me. That said, Some of the songs are just kind of silly and not at all indicative of GL's broader catalog. My favorite song on this one, 'If You Need Me,' is probably one of the most honest songwriting efforts I've ever heard. „ - 13
Harmony
Gordon Lightfoot“ 2004 (Linus) - To date, the latest album. I think that if this ends up being Lightfoot's last studio album, then it's a fitting swan song and should move up my own list a few spots. The title track alone, although simple in its approach and in its lyrics, is well worth the cost of the album. Throughout the album, I hear a man desperately clinging to both his former life and to life itself. I'm not sure whether the man is Lightfoot himself or just the character in his songs, but I'd like to think it's always both. „ - 14
Summertime Dream
Gordon Lightfoot“ 1976 (Reprise) - Although some of the songs included on this one were not up to the usual Lightfoot standard, I'm not sure where to begin to praise the ones that were. Maybe 'The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,' which went to #2 and became a classic rock radio staple? Maybe the eerie and insightful 'Protocol?' Perhaps the airy 'Never Too Close,' with its sharp style and inventive lyrical longing? I just don't know. „ - 15
Back Here on Earth
Gordon Lightfoot“ 1968 (United Artists) - A solid compilation, but just not quite as good as his other U.A. albums. This one had the original version of 'The Circle is Small,' which later appeared on 'Endless Wire.' Aside from 'Circle,' and from 'Affair on 8th Avenue,' the songs on this album at times seem a little over-rehearsed and plain. „ - 16
Old Dan's Records
Gordon Lightfoot“ 1972 (Reprise) - This album does feature some striking wordplay and above-average vocals and melodies, but something about it never did sit too well with me. It was the winner of the 1974 Juno award for best Folk Album. „ - 17
East of Midnight
Gordon Lightfoot“ 1986 (Warner Brothers) - I'd like to start by saying that 'Stay Loose' is one of my favorite Lightfoot songs ever, and probably the most-played track in my playlist. Other than that, this album is most noteworthy for enlisting the talents David Foster and a young Richard Marx. „ - 18
A Painter Passing Through
Gordon Lightfoot“ 1998 (Reprise) - Five years passed between 1993's 'Waiting For You' and this attempt, which is surprising in that the production and songwriting processes feel rushed. This one I own just to have the complete collection, and for no other reason, although there are a couple songs that offer a glimpse of what once was. „ - 19
Salute
Gordon Lightfoot“ 1983 (Warner Brothers) - Almost all of the songs on this little-touted album are below-average for Lightfoot standards, but listening to subpar songs from this amazing Canadian is still a good time. God bless you, Gordon, and here's to releasing a few future albums, too! „
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