Search - Gordon Lightfoot :: Sunday Concert Plus

Gordon's GREATEST Album....IMHO!

Gregory E. Foster | Portland, ME, USA | 08/23/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Of all of Gordon Lightfoot's many, many, albums, this, SUNDAY CONCERT, is the most brilliant-shining of them. And, it seems, it is nearly always the one I pick first when I'm wanting to listen to a "little bit of Lightfoot"!



Over his long career, I have, like many other "Gord-Guru's", traveled great distances to see him in person, have collected all his many albums, in all their "incarnations" over the years, and, along the way, have had a few meetings or interviews with this great entertainer/songwriter/singer.



This album has such an electricity to it, such a wonderful flow of the items contained on it from one to the other, and just has so many great performances on it, that it is sort of like a "live" greatest hits collection. There is not a single "bummer" on here, and this release contains one of his most fabulous songs that has never been released on other albums, namely, "The Ballad of Yarmouth Castle".



At two of the many live concerts (years apart) that I have seen Gordon at, I asked him if he could, or would, sing "Yarmouth Castle" (and both times he sort of "hedged" that he did not really do "that one" anymore). Then, in the middle of both concerts, he stepped up to the mike and introed "Yarmouth Castle" and dedicated it to me, by name! How Cool Is That?! This, great, great song is in the vein of "The Edmond Fitzgerald", and is, truly, one of his greatest story songs. If you've not heard it, you're in for a real, real, treat!



Anyway, by all "grading" standards of his albums, this is the most "energized", even though it does not contain many of his real biggest hits. Of course, all good "Gordofiles" will want ALL of his albums, but if you're not familiar with this album, or if you're just "starting out", this is the album I would single-handedly most recommend! Do enjoy this great album by "Canada's Greatest Natural Resource"...Gordon Lightfoot!



PS: Another Very Special Bonus that you get with this album, is the Knock-out live performance of "Canadian Railroad Trilogy"...certainly one of the very greatest songs EVER WRITTEN! ~Do Pick Up And Enjoy This Great Album (you're gonna love it!). ~operabruin"

Great Live Set

Brian Kious | Saint Charles, Missouri United States | 08/25/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"So here we have a reissue of Gord's only live album "Sunday Concert". The album itself has always been a treat and really shows you a taste of an early live set. Not a bad point here at all. The bonus tracks are treats as well. The cover of Dylan's "Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues" is exquisite (and not available anywhere else for you completists). Definitely worth a spin."

One Night In Toronto

Brian E. Erland | Brea, CA - USA | 02/14/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Gordon Lightfoots' fifth and last album under the United Arts label was 'Sunday Concert' recorded live, March of '69 in Toronto. With longtime companions Red Shea (lead guitar) and Rick Haynes (bass) at his side, we are treated to -16 tracks- combining a nice mix of both old and new songs. This is a unique album for any Lightfoot collection since it is the only live performance available out of his 21 albums/CD's (he does have another concert recording on DVD titled, Live In Reno).



In many ways this concert recording clearly marks a shift about to take place in Gordon's musical career. Not only did he drop UA after this album and sign with Reprise, but his next album, 'Sit Down Young Stranger' contained his first major hit in the U.S.A., 'If You Could Read My Mind.' No longer just a Canadian phenomenon, his lyrics slowly broadened in scope in harmony with his new found popularity. His band also grew, adding a drummer and other musicians, thus losing the intimacy once provided by the legendary threesome.



Don't get me wrong, he still continued to have many great songs and albums with Reprise and later Warner Brothers for years to come. Lightfoot was still Lightfoot. He just didn't solely belong to Canada anymore."