Gordon Lightfoot: Album Ranking, 1966 - 1972A
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- čas přidán 19. 10. 2021
- I take a look at the first eight albums from one of the finest songwriters and performers of the last 60 years, the favorite son of Orillia, ONT, Mr. Gordon Lightfoot. This covers from 1966's Lightfoot! to 1972's Don Quixote, a string of albums any other artist could build and sustain a career on... Gord's music is so rich and the songs so well-written; his work resonates deeply with me and millions of others. I discuss this in further detail in the video, but suffice to say, I hope you'll enjoy this one as much as I enjoyed recording it!
I am a lifelong Gord fan as well! Thank you for making conversation about his unique, incredible music catalog!!
Hey - Not sure how I missed this comment but thank you!
Wherefore and Why is such a great song. Worth it's weight in gold.
thank you for being SO ENTHUSIASTIC about Gordon Lightfoot.......I also have all his albums and CD's, I have been a fan since 1969 and have forced my son to listen to Gordon since he was born.....when my son was in high school we were given tickets to see Gordon at UCONN. On the way Ben, my son, said I hope he plays Sea of Tranquility... I said.....probably not, it is only on one album and never released as a single......GORDON LIGHTFOOT OPENED WITH THAT SONG...made Ben's night,....still to this day when I get a new CD he is interested in hearing it ASAP...for me his music is poetry sung......music of my soul...RIP Mr. Gordon Lightfoot......
That's an incredible story, thank you for sharing!
Awesome Awesome video sharing.. His Songs and his Talent 🎶💯🤲🎶
What separated and sustained the popularity of his records is exactly his attention to detail and craftsmanship. Superb quality and voice from 1966 to 1983. His voice slowly degraded but song quality remained.
100% agree. I saw him live last September - the voice was all but gone, yet he was a captivating live performer and the songs still shone.
Just watching this a few weeks after Gord left us. What a wonderful artist he was. The BBC here in the U.K. showed an old concert from 1972 last night and it brought it all back. It should be on their i-player for a while if it's not on CZcams. Thanks Brett - I enjoy your reviews.
Thank you for your kind words!
I have lived in Toronto since 1966 and have loved Gord’s music since then. I have seen him live about fifteen times and he is a very special folk singer artist, as a brilliant song writer, talented musician and wonderful singer. He is a Canadian Poet Laureate and we love him so much.
That's awesome! I have tickets to his fall tour, it'll actually be my first show. I know the voice isn't what it once was, but I'm thrilled just the same.
Very interesting video Brett! I don't envy your task of trying to rank these incredible records. I don't think I could rank them, to be honest. The truth is, I really love all these albums each in their own way. Each has something unique to offer, something interesting to think about, and something amazing to hear. If I had to pick a "desert island disc," it would have to be his first album because of the incredible selection of songs, the guitar arrangements and the unmatched vocal performance. I look forward to watching your other ranking video. As I said, I don't envy you, as it is a very difficult task when evaluating the work of a true master.
Thank you for the kind words! It's something I put on myself, but it was fun :) I love hearing how fellow fans rank his work, there are so many possibilities for favorites and which order they go in. It would be hard for me to argue Lightfoot! as #1 for anyone. He'd had a few years to compile songs and each was either already a masterpiece or a well-chosen cover you'd think was his own.
Loved your reviews Brett! Right there with you on most of the choices. I have all those albums in vinyl as well!
Thank you! It was harder than I thought to rank them, so much great output in each period I talk about.
For sure!
Ranking Gord's work is like ranking sunsets; good luck with that!
Absolutely! There's SO much good music that it's really all subjective.
@@brettsmusicreviews2641 Yes! Sometimes I want ice cream and sometimes I want filet mignon.
Canadian Railroad Trilogy was written for Canada's 100th birthday in 1967. The song was commissioned by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) to celebrate the Canadian Centennial in 1967. It was written and recorded in late 1966 and was first performed on a CBC new year's day 1967 tv special.
I’m from Huntington Beach California. We love Gordon Lightfoot too
His music truly is universal :)
As I’ve had a lot of Gordon stuff on YT since His passing,I was very happy that You popped up. I’ll have to check , but I think I have the Two Tones album In my collection. I also have all of the songbooks. He taught Me how to play guitar, which I told Him once on a radio interview. I also have the crown jewel of My collection, 53 of 61, or maybe 62. If You know what that is. I’ll get back to You. Thanks. 👍🇺🇸
Holy cow! What an incredible story, and how fortunate you were to have that relationship with him. Thank you so much for sharing!
I eventually found the Two Tones album, I paid more than I wanted but less than I could have *lol* It's a delightful gem from a bit of a lost period of time, these days. Gord & Terry sounded great together.
@@brettsmusicreviews2641 I didn’t have any type of relationship with the Man, just got to speak to Him a few times, and listen to His songs a few million times. The only album I never really liked much was that one where He went electric, think it was maybe Salute, not sure. It didn’t take Him long to get back on course.
@@brianw8963 lol I actually really like Salute, but it was alienating to many fans. He put out some brilliant work after that.
@@brettsmusicreviews2641 Have You figured out the 53 of 61 yet?
@@brianw8963 I haven't, and I'm admitting defeat. It should probably be obvious lol
Back here on earth is my favorite pre-Warner title.
RIP GORDON LIGHTFOOT
Here’s my ranking for Gordon Lightfoot (1966-1972 A) countdown: I too ranked “all” of Gordon Lightfoot’s albums and songs enthusiastically from start to finish from “Two Tones At The Village Corner” to “Solo” with not only studio albums, but with all of his official compilations and live albums and rarities. I owned every album he’s ever released on LP, cassette tape, 8 track and CD, and listed to them very religiously until they wore out.
#8. Did She Mention My Name
#7. Sit Down Young Stranger or If You Could Read My Mind
#6. Sunday Concert
#5. Summer Side Of Life
#4. The Way I Feel
#3. Don Quixote
#2. Back Here On Earth
#1. Lightfoot
I didn’t rank them all according to eras like you did I ranked every Gordon Lightfoot album all together and many people who have seen my ranking will lambaste me, because I prefer this era, and the middle era over the late (geriatric) period of his career. Oh well can’t please everyone. I will look forward to seeing your next ranking of Gordon Lightfoot’s next phase. I think the one I placed in my #1 ranking is in there, I know 1972B is near the top of ‘my’ list, but “not” #1. I’m glad I’m not the only person ranking Gordon’s work. 😉
Thank you for the kind words! I'm glad, too, there are others out here ranking and dissecting his work. There's such a breadth to it, it's so diverse, that there really is something for everyone who's a fan of great songs. I will definitely have to check out your rankings, I'm always interested to see how fellow fans feel about the artists I like... If you actually have that Two Tones album, then I'm incredibly envious!! :)
That was great!! I completely agree that the number of just perfect songs from that period would make anyone's career many times over. I don't have "Sunday Concert", nor have I laboured over this nearly as much as you, but here is my list:
7. Back Here On Earth
6. Did She Mention My Name
5. Summer Side of Life
4. The Way I Feel
3. Don Quixote
2. Lightfoot!
1. Sit Down Young Stranger
That top 3 is tough as any one of them could be number one based on the fact each contain some of his absolute greatest songs: 'If You Could Read My Mind', 'Early Morning Rain', 'Alberta Bound'. I really appreciate the effort, thought and insight you've put in.
@@roblabelle7874 that's just it: I have my Top 3, but there are so many possibilities for which order and I wouldn't begrudge anyone if their rankings were the complete opposite of mine. Thank you for the kind words, and especially for sharing your rankings!!
I'm already anxious about the NEXT period because there are even more classic albums and songs, so much to choose from. I have the order written down but it's fluid, and next week could change the order (though #1 will almost always win).
@@brettsmusicreviews2641 I can't wait to hear your take of his "Golden Period". The quality of his work in his prime is truly staggering, in no small part due to his killer band. I'm solid in my top 3, and my #1 is pretty much written in stone 😉.
Affair on 8th Avenue is one of my all-time favorites.
An excellent song off a wonderful record :)
@@brettsmusicreviews2641 I never heard him sing this in concert. I wonder if it’s biographical like For Lovin’ Me 🤔
Totally concur with Don Quixote being #1!!!
Adding comments as I listen.
A couple of songs from Two Tones at The Village Corner should of made Songbook IMO. We Come Here to Sing, and This is My Song.
Back Here on Earth...Ok with ranking.
Flak time. Summer Side of Life. Needs to go WAY WAY Higher. (a little higher at least)
He recorded the songs from the UA period for Gord's Gold because he had to. I'm not sure if it was cost, or if they said no. I'm glad he did.
Did She Mention My Name.....You needed to mention May I. One of his strangest songs. (not in a good way). Somewhat of a psychedelic feel to this LP.
Sunday Concert....Really like side 2. Saw Gord at Massey in 1978 as a three piece band. Ticket was five bucks.
The Way I Feel....CRT should have ended side 2. Moving The Way I Feel up a couple of tracks.
If You Could Read My Mind- great LP!
Gord's comments on the name change....Lightfoot was so unhappy with the news that the record company wanted to change the title after the album had already hit the shelves that he flew directly to Los Angeles and demanded a meeting with the record label. He told them there as no way he's was going to change the title of his album. Period.
The record executive said, "Gord, did you take algebra?" Gord replied, "I took it, but sure as hell never passed it." The exec said, "Well, changing the name of your album is the difference between x and 8x.
Lightfoot understood immediately. Change it, he said. Then he flew right back to Toronto.
Sure enough, the album went from selling 80,000 copies to 650,000 copies almost overnight. It would become Lightfoot's long-awaited U.S. breakthrough hit.
Lightfoot!....
Great debut.
I would place it in the middle of the pack in rankings for me.
DQ....Agree with rating it number 1. This is one of my favorites.
Only disagreement would be SSOL....I would move that up to the number 2 slot.
Enjoyed the rundown.
I became aware of Gord in the early 70's.....If You Could Read My Mind was the first l heard of him.I was barely aware of the backstory at the time (I was 12)... but I loved his sound,and oh that voice..But I really became a fan in '76.Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald of course.That began a long unbroken streak of seeing him in concert that ran some 15 years...e'vry time he hit my hometown of Duluth Minnesota.
I come from a maritime family, great lakes...so Fitzgerald spoke to me...l began collecting all his music...and those songs really connect with me..l came to view Gord as a friend... strictly from the songs...l never in actuality met the man..but still he is a friend.
Absolutely! He allowed us into his world through those songs, he feels like family to so many of us, even though we never met him. Thank you for the remarks!
I always thought Baby It's Alright was kind of an interesting off to the side little gem... unlike anything else on If You Could Read My Mind.
'Did She Mention My Name' would be my number one, eh.
I put this video out so long ago that I couldn't remember the order I had them in! *lol*
I'd like to think there are no bad choices for Number One from this period; I genuinely enjoy them all. Ever since seeing him live and perform the title track to your favorite, I've gone back and spun it several times. It's a solid, darn good record.
Thank you for the interaction!
@@brettsmusicreviews2641 Sure. I realise that these videos are mainly a chance to discuss and review the artist's work. I bought Gord's third LP when it came out, so I'm bound to love it more, than those I purchased later.
Great album
well you got a Gord fan far away from India....leave alone US and Canada....