Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
painter passing through, September 21, 2000
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.
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20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Last Troubador, August 28, 1999
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!
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
"A Painter's Musical Portrait", February 1, 2005
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 !!!!
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~ Gordon Lightfoot
~ Gordon Lightfoot
~ Gordon Lightfoot
~ Gordon Lightfoot
~ Gordon Lightfoot
by Gordon Lightfoot 
