2024 the best of gordon lightfoot album review

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A 2023 ROLLING STONE RECOMMENDED BOOK

A TORONTO STAR BESTSELLER

“The preeminent account of the late singer's life.” —Rolling Stone

The definitive biography of Canada's most beloved singer-songwriter, a legendary musician who helped define the folk-pop era.

From the tender ballad of "Beautiful" to the historical lament of "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" to the plaintive political plea of "Black Day in July," Gordon Lightfoot's songs have inspired and enchanted fans for more than fifty years. Beloved by a devoted Canadian audience, Lightfoot's work has been performed and admired by musicians from around the world, including Joni Mitchell, Nico, Ronnie Hawkins, and Robbie Robertson. Nobel Prize-winner Bob Dylan once listed "Sundown" and "If You Could Read My Mind" among his favourite Lightfoot songs, before adding, "I can't think of any I don't like." In addition to winning nearly every Canadian music award, in 2012, Lightfoot was inducted into the American Songwriters Hall of Fame alongside such luminaries as Leonard Cohen, Kris Kristoffersen, and Dylan; it honoured Lightfoot as a singer who helped "define the folk-pop sound of the 1960s and '70s." 

Biographer Nick Jennings has had unprecedented access to the notoriously reticent musician. He chronicles Lightfoot's early efforts--his school principal recorded a disc of "Gordie" singing at age 9--to his beginnings as a songwriter to his heyday in concert halls around the globe. Possessed of a strong work ethic and a perfectionist bent, Lightfoot brought discipline to his craft and performances. But he partied just as hard in that rock 'n' roll era, and alcoholism began to take its toll. Lightfoot toured relentlessly and his personal life suffered as marriages and relationships unravelled. At 63, he suffered an aortic aneurysm that nearly killed him and kept him in a coma for six weeks. But his amazing stamina helped him survive and miraculously saw him on stage once again, resuming his touring and yearly sold-out show at Massey Hall.

Jennings paints an unforgettable portrait of an artist in the making, set against the turbulent era of sex and drugs and rock 'n' roll. Voices from the music industry mix with loyal fans to illustrate how the boy from small-town Ontario became the legendary bard of Canada. Stuffed with anecdotes and the singer's own reminisences, Lightfoot is an exhilarating read.

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Penguin Canada; Reprint edition (October 30, 2018)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 360 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0143199218
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0143199212
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.9 x 9 inches
Reviewer: L Buyer
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Excellent book from one of the greatest storytelling composers of our time (RIP Gordon Lightfoot)
Review: You cannot submit a review with only your rating, so I will simply state that Gordon Lightfoot was an incredibly gifted musician whose well-crafted songs with his mellow tones and laid back style can be counted as one of Canada's greatest talents. With songs like Canadian Railroad Trilogy (a historical masterpiece), Song for a Winter's Night (one of my favorite ballads of longing love), Sundown, If You Could Read My Mind, of course, The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, and so many more... the era of these great musicians will stand in history unmatched. Read the book to find more about the heart of the man and his humanity. I am forever grateful that I was able to see him in concert before he passed.You can also purchase the Canadian Railroad Trilogy - an illustrated song book, more or less, with the lyrics as the text of the book, and the illustrations graphically telling the story of the building of the Canadian railway. The reviews for it were mixed because some people didn't like the artwork and others simply didn't realize it wasn't a full text as a book would be, but any of these works, along with his wonderful music, go hand-in-hand.

Reviewer: Rick Spell
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Great Summation
Review: I grew up liking the music of Gordon Lightfoot and have seen him in concert twice: in about 1975 at the Hollywood Bowl and in Memphis TN in the mid 90s. At the Hollywood Bowl in the 70s he lectured us to not clap along with the song he was about to play. reading the review later of the previous night, he had stopped singing and lectured the crowd. Needless to say, in the 90s he was more than interested in us clapping along.This book describes his character well, his shyness, his alcoholism, his relationship with his kids, etc. If there is one weakness in this book the coverage of Kathy Smith is limited. a great affair but he seems to say it was broken off completely when she was involved in the death of John Belushi. I get this is a Lightfoot autobiography. But she was a big part of her life and then was involved in an infamous event which identifies Gordon most of the time.The strength of the book is complete, detailed history of his albums. Overall, there is plenty to learn and plenty to like. If you have an interest in Lightfoot music, buy it. If only a passive interest, it may not be of interest.

Reviewer: Julia McDonough
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Wild ride in a time machine
Review: Reading this new biography of my musical hero was like taking a wild ride in a time machine. Nicholas Jennings meticulously chronicled Lightfoot all the way to the winter side of life. The chapters flow easily. Sensational tales are told with great care, but the biographer focuses on the songs. Even for this five-decade fan, there were many surprises.Jennings painted a vivid portrait of the prolific lyricist and composer, skilled musician, tireless performer, loving father, loyal friend, rugged outdoorsman, committed conservationist, and astute publisher. I was most impressed, as I was at Lightfoot’s concerts, with the tenure of his gifted band mates.What I may remember most is the echo of Gordon’s mother, Jessie, teaching him that we should not waste our God-given talents. I am glad that she got to see her son on stage with Bing Crosby and so sorry that Gordon missed his chance to meet Elvis. I will be forever grateful for the good fortune of having met Lightfoot himself on his most recent tour. Dreams come true.

Reviewer: Betsy
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Lightfoot fan for decades
Review: I loved hearing more about one of my favorite artists. Not soaring prose but eady to read. The only thing that would improve this book is if there were links in the Kindle version to the songs that are mentioned. I knew them quite well, but it would be totally cool to be able to just click a link and hear them so easily again.

Reviewer: Lightfoot Fan
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: A Good Read
Review: I found this book to be very enjoyable. It doesn’t gloss over Lightfoot’s faults but presents them in a compassionate light. The timeline of his songs is clear and there are lovely photos in this book. It’s a book I’m currently reading and will be on my ‘keeper’ shelf.

Reviewer: Debra Zaspel
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Must read for GL fans
Review: Loved this book. Engaging, well written - I was bummed when I got to the end.

Reviewer: Michael G.
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: " Lightfoot"-- If you're a fan, this was written just for you!
Review: If you are a fan of Gordon Lightfoot, this is a must-read. It would also be good reading for Bob Dylan fans and ,in fact, anyone interested in the folk music world of the sixties and seventies. Lightfoot was friends with most of the musicians, singers and production personnel of the time, particularly those from Canada The book is full of stories and anecdotes about these people and his relationships with them. Fans might not know, for example, that he turned down Anne Murray's request that he record a duet with her. She was a little miffed. This book deals with this and more. It covers his childhood in Canada, his career, his many romances, his yearly canoe trips into Canada's back country and of course the songs and how they came to be. As a life-long fan, I have finally read the book I thought would never be written. Nicholas Jennings has done a marvelous job. Get a copy, read it and learn about this reclusive singer-songwriter who has given the world some of its best music.

Reviewer: Joseph A. McCarron Jr.
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Classic Words.
Review: The man could write a song. This is a great collection of some of his best works. You can hear the music in your head as you read along. We should always treasure his talents.

Reviewer: sg708
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Well written and interesting and also an easy read.

Reviewer: Susan Jeffery
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: A real page turner. Sorry when I came to the end.

Reviewer: Alim
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Excelente Livro sobre o mais importante escritor e cantor canadense de Folk Music. Gordon Linghtoot é único no Canada.

Reviewer: Harvey Raven
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Well written, revealing behind the scenes life journey of an incredibly talented singer/songwriter. Song origins; private life; thoughts; demons; health challenges.

Reviewer: Roger Girardin
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Read a sample on Kindle, bought it, right away! Very well written.