Customer Reviews

A Painter Passing Through

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(11)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

A good collection of songs. A laid-back album that honestly doesn't try too hard but still comes out well. Gordon has aged, but I think we're lucky he's still making albums - so many people here have written how Gordon's music accompanied them through life, and here we have the opportunity in turn to accompany an accomplished singer-songwriter into the later stages of a career that has meant so much to so many. The songs bear out these reflections: Painter Passing Through, Drifters, Uncle Toad Said - all express familiar Lightfoot themes in a satisfying way. This was also true of his Waiting for You album, which is disappointingly out of print and which was very satisfying, to my mind - even more so than Painter.

True, some of the lyrics are disappointing because they strike me as first draft lyrics - I have tried but can't really appreciate Yonge Street, and still have trouble with Ringneck Loon. Overall on Painter, the production is good - the sound quality crisp, although not centering quite as much on guitar as I would like.

And as far as his voice goes, it's not the rich baritone that he started with, but what do you expect? He's been steadily touring for 35 YEARS, and if that doesn't wear a voice down I don't know what would. But again, I listen to his voice and can still hear the old Gordon Lightfoot in there, and I appreciate that I can follow him through this stage of his life.

I, for one, am glad to have this album.

Once upon a time, in the '70's, there was a genre of singers called "troubadors." Troubadors usually began their musical careers as folkies, and evolved in troubadors when they became better musicians. Yet, like folkies, they didn't sing songs; they sang stories. The finest of the Troubadors included Harry Chapin, Jim Croce, and Gordon Lightfoot. Today, only one troubador remains; Gordon Lightfoot. Now sixty, with a voice that has lost most of its resonance, Gord continues to make recordings. Yet, despite his loss of youth, he refuses to sink into maudlin self-pity, or pretend that he is still a young man. His title song "A Painter Passing Through" is the narrative of a troubador who lost his youth, found perspective, and still refuses to surrender, despite being past his prime. "On Yonge Street" about Gord's native Toronto, Ontario, using dual melodies, is somewhat reminiscent of "Canadian Railroad Trilogy." Perhaps the finest track on this album is one of its two songs not written by Gord, "I used to be a Country Singer." This song, written by Steve McEown, is about a singer whose hotel maid was once a country singer. Yet, rather than being depressing, it's a celebration of just being alive! That, in an essence, is the theme of "A Painter Passing Through"; a celebration of just being alive. Yes, Gord is now singing songs about maturity, but mature is what he is, and maturity, like youth, is a phase of life that deserves its own celebration. Besides, there is nothing more disgusting than a sixty year old singing songs about adolescence! Indeed, his lecture to youth, using his alter-ego "Uncle Toad Said" is the story of every person no longer young. Correspondingly, in "Ringnecked Loon" a more up-beat story about a troubador, Gord also adopts an animal as his alter-ego. That he choses the Loon is fitting, since the Loon is the symbol of Gord's native Canada. "Drifters" could best be titled 'advice to a would-be troubador'. Similarly, "My Little Love" is the tale of an old troubador still plugging away. "Boathouse" is the wide-awake dream of an insomniac in the middle of the night, and it's counter-part, "Much to My Surprise" is the quiet observation of a late afternoon. Unfortunately, none of the songs on this album will rank among such greats as "If You Could Read My Mind" , "Sundown", "Canadian Railroad Trilogy" and "Wreck of the Edmond Fitzgerald", the latter being perhaps the finest troubador-song ever written. Yet, those who love troubador music in general, and Gordon Lightfoot music in specific, will not be disappointed. Indeed, that Gordon is still moving forward, despite being past his prime, holds the promise that perhaps the best really is yet to come, for Gordon Lightfoot, and for us all!

A Painter Passing Through proves that older is better !! No one can take away the spirit and wisdom of this older Gordon Lightfoot. He still has the experience and musicianship to write good songs. Some nice catchy material can be heard.
Such as : "Drifters" "I Used To Be A Country Singer" "My Little Love" "Much To My Surprise" and the ever expressive song "A Painter Passing Through" When you listen to the words that he so eloquently sings it makes us realize that we really are {Painters Passing Through}. Life has taken Gordon there and back again in the same way that our own lives take us there and back again. It is this life experience that gives us the wisdom, perseverance, knowledge, spirituality and the ablility to relate to the challenges we face. In the Same way that Gordon has. Gordon Lightfoot has struggled and sacrificed in order to bring his music to us and I for one will be ever grateful.
Gordon has made his Life experiences ours through his music.
And that is a Beautiful Thing !! To have the musical ability to share and expose an inner most part of his soul.
His everlasting undying willingness to produce, write, compose and perform for our listening pleasure.!!
" Now Thats " A Painter Passing Through !!!!

I was browsing a record store and noticed this on the rack, and since I hadn't purchased a Lightfoot recording since "Dream Street Rose" I decided to take a chance on it. Being a Lightfoot fan since the 60s, I was at first taken aback at how much his voice has changed. But after listening to the CD at different times in different moods I found some songs that I warmed to. The best are Drifters, I Used to Be A Country Singer, the title cut and On Yonge Street. Here and there one hears flashes of Lightfoot's trademark baritone and his guitar is as enjoyable as ever. The song that comes closest in voice to the Lightfoot of old is "Uncle Toad Said", but the song that comes closest in spirit is "On Yonge Street". There are no terrible songs on the album although it sometimes seems he's plumbing the depths for a good line. If you are a diehard Lightfoot fan, or if you hadn't heard him before, you will find much to like here but if you are one who thinks Lightfoot made his best music 30 years ago, A Painter Passing Through makes it clear that Gord is in the autumn of his career.

A long, long time ago, I discovered that I have a natural resonance for Gord's music. No matter what he does, or whose songs he sings, it still resonates deeply with me. I've had the great fortune to speak with him at length, and spend hundreds of hours listening to the dozens and dozens of songs that he has recorded.

Someone more eloquent than I once said that "his music and his words weave a rich tapestry of life". A Painter Passing Through is yet another weave in the tapestry.

As to whether his vocal quality has deteriorated: When I look at my wife, I still see her as I did when we met many, many years ago (I'm in the same 60'ish crowd as is Gord). So, I guess I must not have noticed. I can tell you this, however: As long as Gord makes music and speaks words, I'll be there to listen. I have no doubts that it will continue to bring treasure to my life.

For the many of us, who are with Gord on the journey through life, we're in it for the long haul!

I love Gordon Lightfoot music with a passion and have seen him perform in concert every year he has come to the Twin Cities since 1975. He is master of the written word in terms of composing. His music has long delighted and enchanted me, but this latest CD, with its rare and beautiful moments, is certainly lacking on a whole. Why did he record a couple of hackneyed sounding country songs (which he did not even write)like "Country Singer" and "Red Velvet"? I am saddened that his voice has lost much of its rich quality and I hope that he will take measures to strengthen and improve it if that can be done. His opening line on "Drifters" sounded so shallow and off that I'm surprised that line wasn't re-recorded. But I do love that song as well as "Boathouse", "Much to My Surprise", and "Painter Passing Through". That's the kind of writing that won him the title of "The Troubadour". I am, and remain, a faithful Lightfoot fan until the end. We Lightfoot fans are dedicated to our favorite artist and, therefore, have a duty to judge his works of art with respect, reverence, joy and with a critical ear. Thank you, Gordon Lightfoot, for all the beautiful music. Best regards and well wishes to all Lightfoot fans.

I don't know if it is age or perhaps maybe Gordon has asthma, I don't know. But the nasal sound that has replaced one of the greatest voices is very disturbing. I bought this CD when it came out and I no longer have it. I also did not have internet access at that time or I would have listened to some samples.

I guess I expect Gordo to sound like he did 20-25 years ago. Everyone changes for different reasons and I will always love his 70's & 80's music but this one is not for me. Do yourself a favor and listen to the samples before buying and judge for yourself. I will be looking forward to the next CD from Gordo but I'll test drive before I buy.

The intrumentation is fine by the way, it's just the voice that gets me.

I recently saw a PBS special on a concert in Reno and I was shocked at the decline in Gord's voice. The same is evident on this album.....but then again, he is pushing 60 at least. Yet as a fan since the late 60's I have to say I'm not so young either. Are any of us Baby Boomers? I recall seeing Judy Collins ten years ago and noticing how much of her high registers she had lost. It's no surprise that age is taking its toll on Gord as well.

Gord still writes with the best of them, and his lyrics are far, far better than most of the junk from the younger singer/songwriters. Who writes stories like "canadian Railroad Trilogy" or Ballad of the Yarmouth Castle"?

If you are looking for the wonderfully-voiced Gordon Lightfoot of 1970, this album will disappoint. However, if you love the poerty of his lyrics, it's worth your time.

Yes, Gordon Lightfoot's voice has lost a little of its luster, but his songwriting skills are still top notch. I think some reviewers were put off by the change in his voice--it is still pretty good--just a little different.

I find that the more I listen to the CD, the more it grows on me. Keep 'em coming, Gordon!

I've been a fan of Gordon's for as long as I can remember, and
was understandably pleased to be able to buy a copy of this CD for my collection! Among the songs I particularly liked were the title track, and ''Uncle Toad Said''is also whimsical and entertaining. The only one I had a hard time getting into was
''Ringneck Loon''--simply stated, I just didn't care for it as much as the others! I don't think anyone who is adding Gordon's music to their CD collection should miss this!