The album opens with a pretty rendition of “Sundown” performed by Darling West. They deliver a gentle, thoughtful, yet striking rendition. The band here is the core duo of Maris Kreken on vocals and guitar, and Tor Kreken on vocals and banjo. There is some excellent banjo work, particularly in the track’s second half. This song was the title track from Gordon Lightfoot’s 1974 record, and it was a big hit for him. What a beautiful way to open this tribute album. It’s followed by “Cotton Jenny” done by The Kennedys. This one has a livelier country sound, featuring some strong vocal work by Maura Kennedy. Gordon Lightfoot included this song on his 1971 album Summer Side Of Life, and Anne Murray had a hit with it. This track has a good, uplifting vibe about it.
Natalie Noone (Peter Noone’s daughter) delivers a sweet country rendition of “Steel Rail Blues,” a song from Gordon Lightfoot’s debut album. Here she is backed by a talented band, made up of Stephen McCarthy (of Long Ryders) on guitar, Johnny Lee Schell (known for his work with Bonnie Raitt) on dobro, Paul Marshall (of I See Hawks In L.A.) on bass, and Ben Lecourt (who has played with Chris Price and several other artists) on drums. Natalie Noone has one of those adorable country voices, and her performance here is excellent. This is one of my personal favorites. Then Shawn Barton Vach delivers a beautiful and haunting rendition of “Summer Side Of Life,” the title track from Lightfoot’s 1971 record. You might know Shawn Barton Vach from her work in Hazeldine.
Arwen Lewis chooses a song from later in Gordon Lightfoot’s career, “River Of Light,” which was included on his 2004 album Harmony. This is a touching and beautiful rendition. Arwen Lewis plays guitar, and is joined by her father, Peter Lewis (of Moby Grape), on guitar. Arwen’s delivery of “I won’t be looking up old friends ever again” is heartbreaking, particularly at the end. What a voice. Then The Textones deliver a strong rendition of “Early Morning Rain.” There have been so many good versions of this song recorded over the years that it would seem to be difficult, if not impossible, to record one that would stand out, but The Textones have done it, in large part because of Carla Olson’s excellent and powerful vocal work. That’s followed by another of Gordon Lightfoot’s big hits and most beloved songs, “If You Could Read My Mind,” this version by Susan Cowsill, who does a tremendous job with it. Her vocal delivery is so moving and honest, she has me close to tears. “I don’t know where we went wrong/But the feeling’s gone, and I just can’t get it back.” She is accompanied by Alex McMurray on guitar and by Rick G. Nelson on both cello and violin, both of whom deliver some beautiful work. This is another of the disc’s highlights.
Ilsey Juber delivers a gorgeous rendition of “The Way I Feel,” the title track from Gordon Lightfoot’s 1967 record. She is accompanied by her father Laurence Juber on guitar. You probably know him from his work in Wings, and from his own solo career, and he delivers some great work here, but it is Ilsey’s stunningly beautiful voice that makes this track stand out. There is something ethereal about it, but there is also an ache in her voice. She gives a wonderful performance. That’s followed by a thoughtful version of ”Beautiful” by Ana Gazzola. There is something soothing in her delivery. She is supported by Pablo Medina on keyboards and by Grecco Burrato on guitar. This song comes from Gordon Lightfoot’s Don Quixote, released in 1972, and was also released as a single.
“Canadian Railroad Trilogy” is a song from The Way I Feel. On that album, the song is a little more than six minutes. Gordon Lightfoot then included a different version of it on his 1975 compilation, Gord’s Gold, that version being just over seven minutes. Here Katy Moffatt gives us a version that is just over eight minutes. She does a wonderful job with it. She plays guitar on this track, and is supported by Gary Allegretto on harmonica. Then Sarah Kramer delivers a cool, bluesy rendition of “Cold On The Shoulder,” another of the disc’s highlights. She is backed by most of the musicians that backed Natalie Noone on her track: Johnny Lee Schell is on electric guitar, Paul Marshall is on bass, and Ben Lecourt is on drums. In addition, Gary Myrick delivers some wonderful stuff on 12-string guitar. That’s quite a band. “And you know that we get a little older every day.” Indeed. Ben Lecourt also plays drums on Kristi Callan’s rendition of “Song For A Winter’s Night.” Kristi is also joined by James Nolte on guitar, and David Nolte on bass. This is a pretty rendition, a track to make you feel good. “If I could only have you near/To breathe a sigh or two/I would be happy just to hold the hands I love/And to be once again with you.”
If I recall correctly, “Carefree Highway” was the first Gordon Lightfoot song I ever heard. I had it on one of those compilation cassettes that were common in the early 1980s. On this tribute album, Shayna Adler delivers an incredibly moving rendition, supported by Ed Roth on piano. A minute or so into the track, a string section enters. That’s Kaitlin Wolfberg on violin and Jean-Paul Barjon on cello. This is a beautiful track. Carla Olson then wraps things up with “Ringneck Loon.” This is a song from later in Gordon Lightfoot’s career, appearing on his 1998 album A Painter Passing Through. Carla Olson delivers a great rendition. On this track, she is supported by Todd Wolfe on electric guitar.
CD Track List
- Sundown – Darling West
- Cotton Jenny – The Kennedys
- Steel Rail Blues – Natalie Noone
- Summer Side Of Life – Shawn Barton Vach
- River Of Light – Arwen Lewis
- Early Morning Rain – The Textones
- If You Could Read My Mind – Susan Cowsill
- The Way I Feel – Ilsey Juber
- Beautiful – Ana Gazzola
- Canadian Railroad Trilogy – Katy Moffatt
- Cold On The Shoulder – Sarah Kramer
- Song For A Winter’s Night – Kristi Callan
- Carefree Highway – Shayna Adler
- Ringneck Loon – Carla Olson
Ladies Sing Lightfoot was released digitally on October 1, 2021, and on CD on November 26, 2021.
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