Customer Reviews

Cold on the Shoulder

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When you first glance at the credits of Cold on the Shoulder, it would be easy to think Gordon Lightfoot decided to simply repeat the formula of his previous album Sundown (which was a sizeable commercial success). The same musicians appear: Lightfoot on rhythm 12 and 6 string guitars (as well as a bit of piano); Red Shea and Terry Clements on lead guitars; John Stockfish and Rick Haynes sharing the bass duties; and Jim Gordon on drums. Lenny Waronker, once again, is the producer. The only change of any significance is the addition of Pee Wee Charles on pedal steel guitar, who would remain with the regular touring band through the mid 1980s.

But Cold on the Shoulder is no mere rehash of Sundown. Whereas Sundown's overall motif was restlessness and movement, Cold on the Shoulder is a much more introspective album. The underlying motif of Cold on the Shoulder is essentially "on the outside looking in"--even the cover reflects that concept.

That isn't to say it's a depressing album--it opens and closes with two very fun, upbeat songs ("Bend in the Water," and "Slide on Over"). However, there is a certain amount of sadness, of melancholy which touches many of the songs here--perhaps this is why Lightfoot has been quoted as saying the album is "a little uptight."

There are some beautiful songs to be found here: "Rainy Day People," "As Fine as Fine Can Be," and the underrated "A Tree Too Weak to Stand," as well as one of his best "story-songs" ("Cherokee Bend"). For anyone who has ever experienced those first pangs of disquiet in a relationship, you'll rarely hear those feelings expressed any better as they are in "Now and Then." The album also includes what is arguably the very best of what I call the "observational" songs--"All the Lovely Ladies."

The album is beautifully produced, and the musicianship--as ever--is top notch. This may not be the most accessible of Lightfoot albums: it's definitely not the one to put on if you're in a down mood. That being said, Cold on the Shoulder nevertheless deserves your attention. It is the work of an astonishingly gifted writer, a mature, world-wise artist, who has chosen life--with all of its inherent ups, downs, triumphs, tragedies, laughter, sadness--as his canvas on which to paint. Cold on the Shoulder is one of Lightfoot's overlooked gems.

This is one of Lightfoot's best and most popular albums, produced when he was at the height of his incredible popularity in the mid 1970s. For a while Lightfoot, like his fellow troubadours James Taylor, John Denver, and Van Morrison, could seemingly do nothing wrong. In fact, over a fifteen period, Gordon Lightfoot produced so many superior albums populated by such uniformly outstanding songs that we've become inured to the fact that he is such a singular, talented and singular talent. Every single song on this album is extremely well written, sung and arranged, from the opening "Bend In The Water" to the very popular hit "Rainy Day People", which saw a lot of air-time, as did the title song, "Cold On The Shoulder". Yet this isn't just an album put out with filler surrounding a couple of hit songs. None of Lightfoot's albums is anything but an eclectic but lovely collection of very memorable and quite accomplished songs. My personal favorites here are "Rainbow Trout", "A Tree Too Weak To Stand', and "All The Lovely Ladies". I also like "As Fine As Fine Can Be" and have to admit there isn't a single pooch in the passel of songs offered here, and all written by Lightfoot himself. The truth of the matter is that Gordon Lightfoot is an incredibly talented singer/songwriter who has already left us a dozen or so terrific albums for our continuing entertainment and edification. This is certainly one of the best of them. Enjoy

This CD starts out with the raucous 'Bend in the Water', and switches moods immediately with 'Rainy Day People'. I think Rainy Day People is the only song that might sound familiar to the radio listening public.

If I have a favorite Lightfoot song, it's "Bells of the Evening". It's a simple arrangement, starting out with just a few piano chords, but he manages to sound achingly lonely.

The other Lightfoot song worth more than passing mention here is "Fine as Fine Can Be". Lightfoot's voice here is as smooth as dark honey. The lyrics, and the music, sort of flow out of the speakers and insinuate themselves into your ears.

This was first released in 1975, and I wore out my cassette recording of it. It is excellent vintage Lightfoot!

I was 15-years-old when I received this album for a birthday present. I had liked Gordon Lightfoot because of my older brother's keen sense of great music - folk and rock and everything in between - since "If You Could Read My Mind was popular in '70 or '71. But my brother got older, more rebellious and distant from me and we didn't have much in common anymore. However, this album, CD, still reminds me how glad I am that my brother instilled an appreciation of an excellent songwriter, guitarist and folk singer. Cold on the Shoulder is probably Lightfoot's best collection of songs he ever produced - "Fine as Fine Can Be," "Rainbow Trout" and "Rainy Day People" stand out. A couple songs are somewhat rock-a-billy, not near as good as his ballads. Overall, this album still brings a smile to my face, and now that I've rediscovered it on CD, and fond memories to my mind.

I was first introduced to Lightfoot's music back in 1973. Each song on this album has a feeling of its own. My favorite by far is Bells of the Evening. The simple accompaniment of piano with Lightfoot's voice is heavenly and meloncholy at the same time. It evokes such feelings that stay with you forever. Fine as Fine Can Be is another classic Lightfoot tune from this album that feels like cool summer breezes coming over you. This album is classic Gordon Lightfoot and a great introduction to anyone who hasn't yet discovered his music.

This is it. I've been a Gordon Lightfoot fan since I listened to my sister's copy of "Back Here on Earth". I've owned just about every GL album but I always come back to this one. His craft reached it's fullness in "Cold on the Shoulder". It contains many different GL styles including some of the most powerful and poignant songs you'll hear. "Rainy Day People" was the popular single from the album, but my favorites were "The Soul Is The Rock", "Bells Of The Evening" and "A Tree Too Weak To Stand".

Born in Orillia, Ontario, Canada in 1938, Gordon Lightfoot is one of Canada's national tresures, as he is with many other fans around the world. He sings with a strong, rich baratone; a birch-bark soft voice I like to call it. He is arguably the finest singer, songwriter, storyteller the world has ever known. The album depicts that very well. This album, "Cold On The Shoulder", was written in the mid-70's, when he was in his prime. I marvel at the way he blends the music with the lyrics so well, it's like clockwork. Virtually every song on this album deserves a 5-star rating. I've listened to this album so many times, I've memerized the lyrics to every song; I've done the same with his other albums. My favorite song on this album is "All the Lovely Ladies", a provocative song about people who must deal with heartache, hardship, lonliness, and injustice. Each verse contains the line "heaven can be yours just for now."; just to give you an idea. This album is of very worthy cosideration, even if you aren't a Lightfoot fan; you will be after hearing this album. P.S.-An honest grain farmers opinion.

Gordon Lightfoot could melt butter with his voice. A must CD for all those "Rainy Day People".

Cold on the Shoulder is a great album. The songs are mostly acoustic based with extremely tasteful backing musicians and studio production. The result is a very warm and inviting album straight from '75, an era when albums were being made the way they somehow cant be done today, which is to say great production, fine lyrics and an endearing spirit. 5 st*rs.

Gordon Lightfoot / Cold On The Shoulder: One thing you can count on is finding enjoyment in the voice of Gordon Lightfoot. There are a few hits on this one and the whole album is exceptional. This one is highly recommended. Five Stars.