Gordon Lightfoot - Lightfoot!

Many musicians release their debuts before they are fully formed as musicians and songwriters, Gordon Lightfoot however "arrived" the finished article with his debut in 1966. It is hard to think of a debut record with such strong songwriting.

The record itself was recorded in December 1964 but not released until January 1966. By the time of its release songs on the record had already been big hits for Peter, Paul, & Mary and Marty Robbins. Songs from the LP would go on to be covered by the likes of Elvis, Bob Dylan and even Paul Weller. That says a lot! Lightfoot was already 26 when he made the record giving him an edge in maturity and experience over many acts who start their recording careers around the age of 18. In the previous few years Lightfoot had learned his trade studying music in California, constant gigging, appearing regularly on country and western TV shows and even having a Top 10 Canadian single in the old fashioned but promising Remember Me (I'm The One).

The 14 tracks on Lightfoot! are made up of 11 originals and three covers. The choice of covers in The First Time Ever I Saw Her Face, Changes and Pride of Man clearly point to the sort of songs that would influence his own work. His cover of The First Time really emphasises the strength and slightly old fashioned quality of his voice. It would be a few more albums before his voice became more mainstream '70s singer songwriter. This vocal quality sets him apart though suggesting as it does a sort of traditional professionalism and iconic quality. He somehow has the singing voice of an old- testament prophet!

Highlights of the album include Early Morning Rain which juxtaposes freight trains and airplanes and has become a folk standard, and the perfectly chauvinistic For Lovin' Me which features some great acoustic lead guitar. I'm Not Sayin' and Ribbon of Darkness are natural companions, the former provided a hit single for Lightfoot himself and the latter (as noted) a hit single for Marty Robbins. Steel Rail Blues also manages a memorable beauty and atmosphere. To create half a dozen "hits" on your debut record is no mean feat and the rest of the tracks are also of a high quality.

Lightfoot certainly shows himself an incredibly strong songwriter here. I wish to stress the songwriter part because had he not managed to establish a career for himself as a performer this one album would have still proved very important as a source of material for major artists. However, Lightfoot's songwriting is not that of some professional locked in an office in New York with a piano. It is vital and it is real. Though it does not sound like the '70s singer/songwriter genre of which he would later be a part, it fits perfectly all the same. The slightly old fashioned feel of the record only serves to add a hint of something pure and authentic.