Customer Reviews

Shadows

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"Shadows" is among Gordon Lightfoot's best three albums. It's also one of his best efforts after the hits stopped coming: released in 1982, it was only a minor success, peaking only at #87. But it's the music that makes the album, not the chart numbers, and Lightfoot paints one of his most interesting portraits.
There are many strong hints and references to lost loves and oppurtunities, with more pastoral glimpses of a genuine range of emotions all throughout the album; Lightfoot starts off "Shadows" in classic form, with the bittersweet '14 Karat Gold,' followed by an excellent vocal performance that echoes desperation and hope on 'In My Fashion.' Another one of Lightfoot's most exceptional stands at the microphone is 'Baby Step Back' (the album's only "hit," making it to #50). This song features the singer-songwriter pioneer at his most snide and sneering. Songs like the fine title track and the interesting 'Triangle' strongly reflect his earlier works, while the likes of the strong 'Blackberry Wine' and 'I'll Do Anything' seem to be in opposite camps. Also a highlight is an overlooked masterpiece, 'Heaven Help the Devil,' one of Lightfoot's greatest songs.
The terms "underrated" and "underappreciated" are shamelessly thrown around a lot, but it's nonetheless a mystery why "Shadows" isn't more widely regarded as one of Gordon Lightfoot's most mature and dignified accomplishments. The title says it all; "Shadows" is an honest whisper, and a mature, dignified accomplishment.

By the time "Shadows" was released in the early 1980s, Gordon Lightfoot had been written off by most critics as a songwriter who was long past his prime. Nonetheless, Lightfoot still had a sizeable cult-like fanbase, and he didn't let them down with this offering.

This album, more than any album before it, sees Gordon Lightfoot playing more adult-contemporary ("soft rock," as it is sometimes called) rather than his trademark acoustic folk. His melodic guitar is backed by a band that chimes in with subtle, soothing keyboards, light drums, and even an occasional slide guitar. Because of this, "Shadows" is not as bare-bones as some of Lightfoot's earlier albums, but the full instrumentation gives the tunes a welcomed feeling of being thick and layered. Songs like "Baby Step Back" and "Blackberry Wine" settle into nice rock-n-roll grooves and are accented by non-offensive electric guitars. And yet, other tunes like the nautical "Triangle" and the forgotten Lightfoot classic, "Heaven Help the Devil" are wisely kept as mainly acoustic numbers. Even the opener, "14 Karat Gold," is wonderful in the way it slips in and out of an acoustic verse and a more grooving, almost funk-influenced chorus (thanks to one heck of a driving bass line).

In terms of the album as a whole, "Shadows" is dominated by two themes -- lost love, and songs of the sea. Lightfoot was going through a divorce at the time of this album's release, and songwriting seems to have been a type of therapy. All emotions are presented in regards to love - happiness, nostalgia, anger, confusion. Moreover, Lightfoot seems to view the ocean as an escape from all his romance troubles, as imagery of boats, sailing, and water dominate nearly half of the tunes.

Bottom Line: This album is easily the best of Lightfoot's later years, and perhaps the most accesible non-greatest hits album in his catalog. At a running time of almost 40 minutes, it's just the right dose of folk-influenced rock from the man who does it best.

If you've ever liked a Gordon Lightfoot song or have one or more of his albums and enjoy it, then you will not be taking a gamble if you pick up SHADOWS. In an illustrious career filled with memorable songs and exceptional albums, this, to me, is his finest moment. And when you take into account the fabulous material on his other albums, that's saying something. The songs are impeccably performed, sung, produced, and most of all, written. I've played this over and over and over since it was released in the eighties and it's as fresh and rewarding today as it was back then. How this album didn't become a hit is hard to explain, but if Lightfoot had released it a few years earlier when he was getting more airplay, this would probably be more widely recognized as the classic album it is. If you've never heard it, you're in for a very special treat.

This is not a new release, but a much-needed re-release of a vintage Gordon Lightfoot album. I wore out the vinyl copy I had of "Shadows" three times over, and had just about given up all hope of ever finding it on CD.
This is Gordon Lightfoot at his finest! Rich mellow vocals, interesting instrumental accompanyments...it's all here. You have time-tested Lightfoot folk music in "Triangle" to get your toes tapping, something a little different from what he usually did, and very special, in "Fourteen Carat Gold," and an important old protest song in "Heaven Help The Devil."
The title cut, "Shadows," and "Thank You For The Promises" are emotional, jewel-toned love songs as only Gordon Lightfoot can do love songs.
Lightfoot fans, rejoice! It's about time this antique treasure was released on a disc. And lovers of deep, rich, almost chocolaty folk music and emotion-stirring love songs that are just a touch different from what you're used to hearing...just buy the album, load your disc player, kick back, and let the music flow over you like fine wine.

This is Gord's Master Album. He reaches the peak of his musical expression with this album. It is a slice of the heart of the man. Unfortunately, it is also the pit of his existence, just before he quit drinking and cleaned up his life. The emotion of a pained soul comes through clearly on the album.

The title track is a haunting and powerful tune (which he wrote while "noodleing around" on his 6-string).

In spite of the obvious pain the man was in while writing this album, he still comes through with a few "toe tappers": Blackberry Wine and Baby Step Back. Of course, you have to have the obligatory nautical song, Triangle. After all, this is Lightfoot!

If you are a Lightfoot fan or you are at all interested in his music, you MUST HAVE this album!

Released in 1982, "Shadows" coherently documents the trial and tribulations of Lightfoot's divorce. Both yearning and apologetic, Lightfoot makes no excuses and asks for no pity. Especially poignant is "In My Fashion," a plea to his children explaining that despite the circumstances, he is a good father. In one song after another, Lightfoot searches to make sense of break-up and divorce. He lurches from, "it's my fault" to "it's your fault" and finally, to acceptance. Thematically and musically, this is Lightfoot at the peak of his creativity. Shadows is reminiscent of the similarly themed Bob Dylan's 1975 album "Blood On The Tracks." Fans of "Shadows" should also buy Lightfoot's 1983 album, "Salute." "Salute" is the flip side of "Shadows," the hopeful, optimistic side of life after divorce.

While the media had stopped caring, Lightfoot was producing what was arguably his best work. This record is poignant, fun, and lively, with the same romaticism and tounge-in-cheek writing that has defined Lightfoot as more than just another "Canadian artist". The title track may very well be his best song ever, though I would hate to draw such a hard line with so much to choose from. There is nothing bad to say about this album, and to me, that says it all right there. Simply and absolutely a must-own, and one of my favorite three of his.

The mysterious opening to the album- the low chiming of the lead guitar on 14 Karat Gold, he still chooses to open his shows just as he opens this album. The excellence offered here is what defines the best of Lightfoot's songwriting. These are great poetic songs, great musical arrangements and fine examples of emotional expression here in Shadows, She's Not the Same, In My Fashion and I'll Do Anything. The achievement that stands out the most here is the aural atmosphere that exists on the record. He has never quite had that edge on any other record. It stands up with Dylan's Time Out of Mind as far as atmosphere goes. The addition of a soulful keyboardist to the band is a large contributing factor. I recommend this album to both get accquainted with Lightfoot and to enjoy if already a long time fan.

The release of Shadows is long overdue. Lightoot continues to perform many of the songs,including 14-Karat Gold, In My Fashion and Blackberry Wine, featured on this disc in concert. It's a definite step up from Dream Street Rose and Salute, two other albums Gord recorded in the early 1980s.
If you are a long-time fan of the Orillia, Ont. native, the release of Shadows is a cause for celebration -- especially if you were not able to track down the album on vinyl. For those just beginning to listen to Lightfoot, it's probably his best disc from the 1980s.

I bought thjis album when it first came out in the early eighties and still enjoy it as one of my favorites. Although Shadows does not have a super hit on it like Sundown or Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, it does have a lot of real good songs in the Lightfoot tradition. 14 Karat Gold, Baby Step Back, Blackberry Wine and Triangle all set a mood for the listener. Then there's Shadows, Heaven Help the Devil, In My Fashion and I'll Do Anything, all good songs without a doubt. I think Lightfoot was in his prime in this era, as this was about the time he stopped the drinking and really focused on his work. I have all Gord's albums in album form and in CD, so I can judge over his entire career and I think this is one of his best efforts for the quanity of real good Lightfoot songs.