Gordon Lightfoot - SUMMER SIDE OF LIFE - CD

Gordon Lightfoot

Even though Gordon Lightfoot's Summer Side of Life is as mild as a late August evening, it could hardly be described as summery. The Orillia-born singer-songwriter's sixth solo album, originally released in 1971, is too full of hearts breaking and lovers torn asunder by fate to qualify as cheery. In "Talking in Your Sleep," the singer tells his bedmate that she's been inadvertently letting him know the score. The relationship strife seems to be the fellow's fault in "Same Old Loverman," in which Lightfoot plays the part of a man who "was born to bring you grief." And in the title track and "Miguel," vibrant young men are unfairly robbed of love and life by foul circumstances. All this anguish is delivered in Lightfoot's typically smooth style, with the influence of Bob Dylan becoming less and less pronounced. Recorded in Nashville with regular bandmates like guitarist Red Shea and bassist Richard Haynes as well as veteran studio guitarist Chip Young and drummer Kenneth Buttrey, the album seamlessly blends folk, country, pop, and classical, and Lightfoot's occasional air of preciousness is counterbalanced by the earthy charm of the playing. Though Summer Side of Life lacks a song as familiar as "If You Could Read My Mind"--from the previous year's breakthrough success, Sit Down Young Stranger--it's still one of Lightfoot's strongest discs from his pre-moustache years. --Jason Anderson