Advice for newbie...

Hi
I have fallen in love with 'If You Could Read My Mind'.
I am quite young... have never heard of Gordon Lightfoot, but would love to know where to start as I try to uncover more.
For example, I am a Smiths expert, and if someone was wanting to investigate the Smiths I would guide them to The Queen is Dead.
It's like Dylan but even more so.... there is so much that you just don't know where to begin!
Any ideas?
Steve_libertine

Hi
I have fallen in love with 'If You Could Read My Mind'.
I am quite young... have never heard of Gordon Lightfoot, but would love to know where to start as I try to uncover more.
For example, I am a Smiths expert, and if someone was wanting to investigate the Smiths I would guide them to The Queen is Dead.
It's like Dylan but even more so.... there is so much that you just don't know where to begin!
Any ideas?
Steve_libertine

Start with the CD " Summertime Dream"

Start with the CD " Summertime Dream"

[BILLW]

steve,

Run out and get Don Quixote and the boxed set named SONGBOOK. They should start you off nicely. Then follow up with the new CD Harmony ASAP. Have fun.

Bill

[Cathy]

quote:Originally posted by steve_libertine:
Hi
I have fallen in love with 'If You Could Read My Mind'.
I am quite young... have never heard of Gordon Lightfoot, but would love to know where to start as I try to uncover more.
For example, I am a Smiths expert, and if someone was wanting to investigate the Smiths I would guide them to The Queen is Dead.
It's like Dylan but even more so.... there is so much that you just don't know where to begin!
Any ideas?
Steve_libertine

Gord put out a new greatest hits compilation a couple of years ago, called Complete Greatest Hits. That would be the place for you to start. If you like what you hear, you might as well start at the beginning with The United Artists Collection, a compilation of his 1960s albums. Then start at the beginning of his Warner catalog, or go with his boxed set, Songbook.

Cathy http://www.cathycowette.com

I just wouldn't make Salute the 1st album I got, the albums isn't bad but does not make a good 1st impression of GL.

I just wouldn't make Salute the 1st album I got, the albums isn't bad but does not make a good 1st impression of GL.

[Janice]

quote:Originally posted by DMD3:
I just wouldn't make Salute the 1st album I got, the albums isn't bad but does not make a good 1st impression of GL.

Except for Tattoo

[johnfowles]

quote:Originally posted by steve_libertine:
there is so much that you just don't know where to begin!
Any ideas?
Steve_libertineHI Steve
The perceived wisdom of countless experienced Lightheads is that if you really like Gord's music you will eventually aim to acquire all of his albums (as your finances allow of course). Whilst every album has its gems and there is no album that anyone would not recommend to you, the advice to start with the magnificent albeit pricey songbook 4-CD box-set is very sound.
However I have said here before though that to really appreciate his prodigious output it is essential to get the first 5 albums as issued by United Artists. I put up an illustrated guide which was an answer to another newbie in your position
on how to do that in an earlier Topic: "Hmmm...which one to buy first?" at:- http://www.corfid.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/002090.html
and a there is earlier posting by me at:- http://www.corfid.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/001572.html
OK I am biased since when I bought my very first album waaaaaaaaaay back in pre-history (1966) there was a choice of only the original ("Lightfoot") album,and I did not know for another thirty-plus years that there had been even earlier issues:-
The Two Tones at the Village Corner; the AME Early Lightfoot; the WB-Seven Arts demos and The Canadian Talent Library albums all limited issue and/or no longer generally available unless you keep a sharp eye out on e-bay
I hope this helps you
How exciting to have all these wonderful treats to discover!!
We are all green with envy

------------------
My Gordon Lightfoot webring
starts at
http://www.johnfowles.org.uk/lightfoot

[This message has been edited by johnfowles (edited May 22, 2004).]

[johnfowles]

quote:Originally posted by steve_libertine:
there is so much that you just don't know where to begin!
Any ideas?
Steve_libertineHI Steve
The perceived wisdom of countless experienced Lightheads is that if you really like Gord's music you will eventually aim to acquire all of his albums (as your finances allow of course). Whilst every album has its gems and there is no album that anyone would not recommend to you, the advice to start with the magnificent albeit pricey songbook 4-CD box-set is very sound.
However I have said here before though that to really appreciate his prodigious output it is essential to get the first 5 albums as issued by United Artists. I put up an illustrated guide which was an answer to another newbie in your position
on how to do that in an earlier Topic: "Hmmm...which one to buy first?" at:- http://www.corfid.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/002090.html
and a there is earlier posting by me at:- http://www.corfid.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/001572.html
OK I am biased since when I bought my very first album waaaaaaaaaay back in pre-history (1966) there was a choice of only the original ("Lightfoot") album,and I did not know for another thirty-plus years that there had been even earlier issues:-
The Two Tones at the Village Corner; the AME Early Lightfoot; the WB-Seven Arts demos and The Canadian Talent Library albums all limited issue and/or no longer generally available unless you keep a sharp eye out on e-bay
I hope this helps you
How exciting to have all these wonderful treats to discover!!
We are all green with envy

------------------
My Gordon Lightfoot webring
starts at
http://www.johnfowles.org.uk/lightfoot

[This message has been edited by johnfowles (edited May 22, 2004).]

[joveski]

welcome along steve!. Songbook would be a good place to start.

if yuo're looking for general info about gordon:
http://www.lightfoot.ca

if you wanna more about dylan, ask me

[Borderstone]

Hi Steve! Welcome aboard! I agree so far with my Lightfoot Board Buddies! Any album from 1966 to 1976 would be an excellent place to start.
As said,Songbook (if you've got $60.00 to afford it) is A+ also,with 88 tracks,you can't miss! I've had mine for 3 years this coming August.
Myself,I started with Sundown,because i was mainly in to his hits more than his music. (Boy was I stupid! )
After acquring 4 more albums,I took a chance and got Songbook and then a year later,saw Gordon live!
Those last two factors cemented my opinion of his music and he's #1 in my choice for favorite male artist too listen to. ...and I never tire of it! Good luck!

------------------
"A knight of the road,going back to a place where he might get warm." - Borderstone

[Thaler]

I too was hooked from his first UA album. While the songs and his voice are top rate, the recording of those albums was not, engineering wise....if that was technically remedied in the box set, I don't know. I own either on LP or CD all of Lightfoot's work, but in my view his apex was during that string of albums Don Quixote, Summertime Dream, Old Dan's Record, and If You Could Read My Mind (originally called Sit Down Young Stranger)....any of those 4 will be a wonderful intro
Barry (I agree to stay away, for now, from East of Midnite and the latter works....I would say the same for Dylan, Joni, Paul Simon, James Taylor.......the drop in talent and success may not have been precipitous, but I do believe the best of their work was given in the beginning or middle of their careers........not starting another thread here, but not many soloists/groups get better after an established history, with the exception of the Beatles in my view,which was part of the loss we felt in their early demise.....some felt the drop had already occurred with Let it Be, but that was not my opinion............)
PPS getting back to Gord, I usually stay away from recommending If You Could Read My Mind first since I think many feel the title song 'drove' the album, but the balance of that work is tremendous....so i would probably go there...
Barry

[Baz]

I too was hooked from his first UA album. While the songs and his voice are top rate, the recording of those albums was not, engineering wise....if that was technically remedied in the box set, I don't know. I own either on LP or CD all of Lightfoot's work, but in my view his apex was during that string of albums Don Quixote, Summertime Dream, Old Dan's Record, and If You Could Read My Mind (originally called Sit Down Young Stranger)....any of those 4 will be a wonderful intro
Barry (I agree to stay away, for now, from East of Midnite and the latter works....I would say the same for Dylan, Joni, Paul Simon, James Taylor.......the drop in talent and success may not have been precipitous, but I do believe the best of their work was given in the beginning or middle of their careers........not starting another thread here, but not many soloists/groups get better after an established history, with the exception of the Beatles in my view,which was part of the loss we felt in their early demise.....some felt the drop had already occurred with Let it Be, but that was not my opinion............)
PPS getting back to Gord, I usually stay away from recommending If You Could Read My Mind first since I think many feel the title song 'drove' the album, but the balance of that work is tremendous....so i would probably go there...
Barry

[Thaler]

oops, did you mean you fell in love with the song or the album???...I took it as the song....if you have that album, go with the rest of those Reprise albums I mentioned.....
Barry

[Baz]

oops, did you mean you fell in love with the song or the album???...I took it as the song....if you have that album, go with the rest of those Reprise albums I mentioned.....
Barry

[JOHN]

heck throw down the 40 bucks and buy Songwriter

[pirateNC]

heck throw down the 40 bucks and buy Songwriter

[TheCromulentChipster]

You can go to Overstock and get all his stuff for under $10. I fell in love with IYCRMM first too and I actually went ahead and got the boxed set, but I think Don Quixote or Sundown or Shadows are great places to head next. Also, don't be afraid to get his Complete Greatest Hits. No shame there because they're all great songs. Welcome aboard the Gord!

[Big Blue]

You can go to Overstock and get all his stuff for under $10. I fell in love with IYCRMM first too and I actually went ahead and got the boxed set, but I think Don Quixote or Sundown or Shadows are great places to head next. Also, don't be afraid to get his Complete Greatest Hits. No shame there because they're all great songs. Welcome aboard the Gord!

[TheCromulentChipster]

Here's the link: http://www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2....10&PAGE=ENDECA

Also check out Leonard Cohen's Songs of Love and Hate. If you like Dylan, the Smiths and Lightfoot, you're sure to love him!

[Big Blue]

Here's the link: http://www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2....10&PAGE=ENDECA

Also check out Leonard Cohen's Songs of Love and Hate. If you like Dylan, the Smiths and Lightfoot, you're sure to love him!

[Boat House AKA member]

Just to give my 2 cents, I was hooked when I got Summer Side of Life. I still feel it is his best closely followed by Shadows. Sundown certainly had his best commercial success overall and is very good, and Don Quixote is excellent and so is Summertime Dream and......oh heck you'll end up getting all of them

[Kilgore]

Just to give my 2 cents, I was hooked when I got Summer Side of Life. I still feel it is his best closely followed by Shadows. Sundown certainly had his best commercial success overall and is very good, and Don Quixote is excellent and so is Summertime Dream and......oh heck you'll end up getting all of them