The haunting tunes are still there

Review Score: (10/10)
I have taken the time to read all of the previous 19 reviews of this latest release by Gordon Lightfoot. Unlike most of the reviewers, I live in Australia and have only had, and probably will ever have one chance to see the great man perform live. That was in 1974 and to this day it remains the most memorable and captivating night of live entertainment that I can recall. "A Painter Passing Through", I think is fairly typical of most of Lightfoot's works over the years, and I think that I am qualified to offer an opinion because I own everything he has released since 1965. Most of Lightfoot's albums, I think, exhibit a wide range of quality. Even I as one of his great admirers must admit to this. But the special thing that I find with him is that the few gems contained in each release are always worth many times the purchase price. This to me is what its all about and "A Painter Passing Through" is no exception. In fact I would rate it an above average Lightfoot production. There are some exceptionally fine compositions on this CD. I rate them in order as Ringneck Loon, A Painter Passing Through, On Yonge Street, Much To My Surprise, Drifters, My Little Love. When I first listened to the CD with my wife, I thought it was pretty dull. But I have found this to be completely the opposite after replaying it a few times. In no time I found myself humming tune after tune to myself and sometimes I just could not a particular song out of my head. To me, this is the sign of a very, very good production. Personally, I was disappointed to find 2 songs that are not originals, but then I am a Lightfoot purist and not a Country Music fan. I do however think that the 2 chosen are good songs are actually aid the easy listening quality of the CD especially while driving out on the highway. I sincerely hope this is not the last opportunity that the rest of the world will have to enjoy the exceptional talents of this man.

More Reviews:

• A Different Lightfoot
• Lightfoot at his songwriting best
• A truly satisfying CD!!!
• disappointing
• Lightfoot the Songwriter
• The voice is worn but thank goodness he still records!
• Two out of 10
• Still the best after all these years
• Gordon Lightfoot & Getting Older
• The Autumn of His Career
• painter passing through
• Still a Story Teller
• Ultimately Disappointing
• It grows on you!
• Gordon's back and better than ever!
• Vocal style is all wrong
• The Last Troubador
• Well worth the investment.
• Oh Well...
• Worth the Wait
• Gordon Lightfoot meets Donald Duck
• At last,returning to the good times
• Great Album
• A positive reflection from an old friend...
• Better than no album at all!
• A little different but still the distinctive style
• An Unfinished Life
• Play it again, Sam; it grows on you.
• Nothing new; no longer inventive and thought provoking.
• Heartfelt warmth for loyal Lightfoot Fans
• I was shocked;what is his record company thinking???
• Too old to rock and roll & too old to sing!!!!
• Disappointing effort
• Pleasantly surprising and Enjoyable
• If you got it, you got it.
• Great album which harkens back to classic Lightfoot sound
• Disappointing vocals but great songwriting
• A terrible letdown for a devoted Lightfoot afficienado!
• A great singer, a not-so-great album
• echos of the past
• Lightfoot's Golden Voice-gone...
• A Painter Passing Through--Beautiful artwork
• New Album - Worth The Wait
• Gord's Not "Gold," He's Just Old