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MaryEllen · 03-18-2003, 10:50 PM

I love the Songbook--it is invaluable, but mostly because the digital remastering is so, well, *masterly*. Especially relevatory are the old United Artist cuts (Songbook CD #1). I sure wish they could turn that guy (William Inglot?) loose on *all* the old stuff!

But, Titan, so much is missing, even in this truly outstanding set. Everybody can make up their own "what the heck were they thinking?" list (of masterpieces that are not in the Songbook), but my "top 10" would certainly include:

1. Wherefore & Why
(GGI actually has a version of this that's better than the original.)
2. Christian Island
(Inexcusable!)
Addendum 3/19: This is one of Gord's most profound love songs, full of a very rare (for him, at least in those days) respect--even esteem--for the object of his affections. Of course, it's a boat, but as Osgood says at the end of Some Like It Hot, "Nobody's perfect!"
3. Looking at the Rain
(Both #2 & #3 are from "Don Quixote"; I think it's a tossup whether this or "Sundown" is GL's best LP--though you could make a case for "Shadows," too--or "Summertime Dream," which you already have.)
4. The Watchman's Gone
(Gord has indicated more than once in concert that he is very proud of this cryptic, Guthrie-ish song--it's sort of a modern take on "East Texas Red," but that's just where it *starts*. Like so much of GL's music, it could be interpreted many ways.)
5. Too Late For Prayin'
(Like #4, it's from "Sundown," and is--again, among many other things--a prayer from a soul almost too damaged to believe the effort is still worthwhile. It relates to and recaps two of the album's themes--blighted love (degenerated into lust) and an incisive (if also opaque) "worldview" (e.g., Circle of Steel). The singer doesn't seem to doubt that God is out there, or even that He's listening--only that He cares. Ironically, this song of resignation and despair is so beautiful it gives the reply to the "To try or not to try?" question that it implies. Songs like this are like water; everyone finds their own level.)
6. I'm Not Supposed To Care
(Bob Dylan has covered this song in concert in recent years.)
7. Spanish Moss
8. Whispers of the North
9. I'll Tag Along
10. Restless
(Gord's greatest song since "Shadows"! Again, what the heck were they thinking?!)

[This message has been edited by MaryEllen (edited March 19, 2003).]

03-18-2003, 10:50 PM	#11
MaryEllen Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Cheverly, Maryland, USA Posts: 50	I love the Songbook--it is invaluable, but mostly because the digital remastering is so, well, masterly. Especially relevatory are the old United Artist cuts (Songbook CD #1). I sure wish they could turn that guy (William Inglot?) loose on all the old stuff! But, Titan, so much is missing, even in this truly outstanding set. Everybody can make up their own "what the heck were they thinking?" list (of masterpieces that are not in the Songbook), but my "top 10" would certainly include: 1. Wherefore & Why (GGI actually has a version of this that's better than the original.) 2. Christian Island (Inexcusable!) Addendum 3/19: This is one of Gord's most profound love songs, full of a very rare (for him, at least in those days) respect--even esteem--for the object of his affections. Of course, it's a boat, but as Osgood says at the end of Some Like It Hot, "Nobody's perfect!" 3. Looking at the Rain (Both #2 & #3 are from "Don Quixote"; I think it's a tossup whether this or "Sundown" is GL's best LP--though you could make a case for "Shadows," too--or "Summertime Dream," which you already have.) 4. The Watchman's Gone (Gord has indicated more than once in concert that he is very proud of this cryptic, Guthrie-ish song--it's sort of a modern take on "East Texas Red," but that's just where it starts. Like so much of GL's music, it could be interpreted many ways.) 5. Too Late For Prayin' (Like #4, it's from "Sundown," and is--again, among many other things--a prayer from a soul almost too damaged to believe the effort is still worthwhile. It relates to and recaps two of the album's themes--blighted love (degenerated into lust) and an incisive (if also opaque) "worldview" (e.g., Circle of Steel). The singer doesn't seem to doubt that God is out there, or even that He's listening--only that He cares. Ironically, this song of resignation and despair is so beautiful it gives the reply to the "To try or not to try?" question that it implies. Songs like this are like water; everyone finds their own level.) 6. I'm Not Supposed To Care (Bob Dylan has covered this song in concert in recent years.) 7. Spanish Moss 8. Whispers of the North 9. I'll Tag Along 10. Restless (Gord's greatest song since "Shadows"! Again, what the heck were they thinking?!) [This message has been edited by MaryEllen (edited March 19, 2003).]