I'm a relatively new Lightfoot fan and I'd be interested in hearing some other opinions on this topic. I'll go through them now quickly and list my favourite version of each song GL has re-recorded.
GORD'S GOLD (Not counting the two medleys, which I don't like nearly as much as the originals, especially Did She Mention My Name?)
SONG FOR A WINTER'S NIGHT - Not much difference in the vocals, but I prefer the guitar sound of the original.
CANADIAN RAILROAD TRILOGY - I don't see a great difference between the two, but I would go with the re-recorded version.
SOFTLY - Definitely the original.
STEEL RAIL BLUES - They sound very similar to me, which almost makes me wonder why he'd bothered re-recording it. The melody of the chorus is slightly changed in the second version and I prefer it by a very small margin.
WHEREFORE AND WHY - Without a doubt, the original. I think the song sounds much better in its more stripped-down form.
BITTER GREEN - Two very different sounding versions. I love both, but I prefer the original, sans back-up singers.
EARLY MORNING RAIN - The re-recording is much prettier and melodic, but the original is also great, very gritty and country-sounding. Dead heat!
AFFAIR ON 8TH AVENUE - The original all the way. Much stronger vocals, in my opinion.
GORD'S GOLD II
ENDLESS WIRE - I can't say that I like either version much, but I'd go with the original.
HANGDOG HOTEL ROOM - I like both, but I think the back-up singing in the original was a plus.
I'M NOT SUPPOSED TO CARE - Definitely the original. It just isn't as effective as it was before the changes in Gord's voice.
HIGH AND DRY - I love the original, which probably could have been a big hit if it hadn't been buried on the same album as Sundown and Carefree Highway. However, I do like the second version, but it almost comes across as a different song. While the original was very upbeat and made you want to sing along, the re-recording almost has a withered-away, depressing feel, which I suppose better suits the lyrics.
THE WRECK OF THE EDMUND FITZGERALD - I actually prefer the second version, mainly because I think the song's trademark guitar licks come across stronger.
THE PONY MAN - The original, by far.
RACE AMONG THE RUINS - I really prefer the second version here. The changes are subtle, but I think it is improved.
CHRISTIAN ISLAND - Again, I prefer the re-recorded version, although I can't quite pin down why.
ALL THE LOVELY LADIES - A toss-up, really. I'm not in love with either version.
ALBERTA BOUND - One of my favourite, since I live in Calgary. I prefer the country sound of the original.
CHEROKEE BEND - Another toss-up, I don't think they sound much different.
TRIANGLE - Original.
SHADOWS - I much prefer the second version here. I think the higher pitch of Gord's voice now actually suits this song better.
MAKE WAY FOR THE LADY - No real preference.
BABY STEP BACK - Original.
OTHERS
THE WAY I FEEL - Definitely the second, faster version, complete with tambourine.
THE CIRCLE IS SMALL - Although I also like the more scaled-back sound of the original, the back-up vocals and added instrumentation of the Endless Wire version are an improvement.
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