Disc One, Two, Three, or Four?

[gathrb]

If you had to pick your favorite disc from the Songbook box-set which would it be? It is a very difficult decision because I really like Gordon's later work. For some reason disc two is the one I reach for most.

[Tom]

If you had to pick your favorite disc from the Songbook box-set which would it be? It is a very difficult decision because I really like Gordon's later work. For some reason disc two is the one I reach for most.

[Steve R]

Well, I usually listen to 4. Sometimes for
a change of pace I'll listen to 4. But there
are other times when nothing except 4 will do. That #4 is one complete package as far as I'm concerned.I paid $65 for the set and
I would've been thrilled with just #4 and that great book. Nice touch. Honestly, trying to pick your favorite Lightfoot song
is much like trying to pick your favorite tulip in Holland..... - Kate B.

[PhiladelphiaKate]

Well, I usually listen to 4. Sometimes for
a change of pace I'll listen to 4. But there
are other times when nothing except 4 will do. That #4 is one complete package as far as I'm concerned.I paid $65 for the set and
I would've been thrilled with just #4 and that great book. Nice touch. Honestly, trying to pick your favorite Lightfoot song
is much like trying to pick your favorite tulip in Holland..... - Kate B.

[gathrb]

http://www.corfid.com/ubb/frown.gif
I really would like to know what other fans favorite CD is from "Songbook". They are all great in there own ways. I choose Two because:
One - very folky older songs
Three - another awesome disc, "Sundown" "Carefree Highway" "7 Island Suite" "...Fitzgerald" "Circle is Small" [only charted #33 in 1978 but shoulda been a hit] "Dreamstreet Rose"
Four - the only disc I was a little disappointed with, the selection of songs taken from "Salute" don't even reflect what THAT album was all about, also they missed alot of classics in his later era "Only Love Would Know" "Anything For Love" "I'll Do Anything" "My Little Love"
Two - it has a little of everthing, social conscienceness "Sit Down Young Stranger" "Ode To Big Blue" , country "Old Dan's Records" pretty ballads "Beautiful" "Poor Little Allison" "Nous Vivons Ensemble" personal songs "Same Old Loverman" "Stone Cold Sober" "Can't Depend On Love" "IYCRMML" footstomper "Hi'Way Songs" etc.
Owning "Songbook" you really see the genius of Gordon Lightfoot's music. http://www.corfid.com/ubb/smile.gif



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"...If YoU fEeL iT yOu BeTtEr BeLiEvE iT, yOu'Re GoNnA sEe It, YoU nEeD tO kNoW/iT iS rIsInG lIkE a FeAtHeR, dIpPiNg & DaNcInG fRoM bElOw/ThErE's A nEw WaVe ThAt Is BrEaKiNg In ThE wAkE oF a PaSsInG sHiP/eVeRy NaTiOn'S gOnNa Be ShAkEn, PuT iT tOgEtHeR, dOn'T lEt It SlIp..."

[Tom]

http://www.corfid.com/ubb/frown.gif
I really would like to know what other fans favorite CD is from "Songbook". They are all great in there own ways. I choose Two because:
One - very folky older songs
Three - another awesome disc, "Sundown" "Carefree Highway" "7 Island Suite" "...Fitzgerald" "Circle is Small" [only charted #33 in 1978 but shoulda been a hit] "Dreamstreet Rose"
Four - the only disc I was a little disappointed with, the selection of songs taken from "Salute" don't even reflect what THAT album was all about, also they missed alot of classics in his later era "Only Love Would Know" "Anything For Love" "I'll Do Anything" "My Little Love"
Two - it has a little of everthing, social conscienceness "Sit Down Young Stranger" "Ode To Big Blue" , country "Old Dan's Records" pretty ballads "Beautiful" "Poor Little Allison" "Nous Vivons Ensemble" personal songs "Same Old Loverman" "Stone Cold Sober" "Can't Depend On Love" "IYCRMML" footstomper "Hi'Way Songs" etc.
Owning "Songbook" you really see the genius of Gordon Lightfoot's music. http://www.corfid.com/ubb/smile.gif



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"...If YoU fEeL iT yOu BeTtEr BeLiEvE iT, yOu'Re GoNnA sEe It, YoU nEeD tO kNoW/iT iS rIsInG lIkE a FeAtHeR, dIpPiNg & DaNcInG fRoM bElOw/ThErE's A nEw WaVe ThAt Is BrEaKiNg In ThE wAkE oF a PaSsInG sHiP/eVeRy NaTiOn'S gOnNa Be ShAkEn, PuT iT tOgEtHeR, dOn'T lEt It SlIp..."

[Tom]

Hi Tom,
Glad to see that you joined us.
Like you, I seem to favor disc #2 and perhaps for the same reasons as you mentioned. I enjoyed disc #1 for the absolutely un-Lightfoot sound on the first two tracks and the bit of "country twang" that made Gary J cringe as said in another thread. Disc #3 has most of Gord's more notable hits- those that even non-GL fans have heard. And lastly, disc #4 has the most "unreleased" cuts on any of the discs and for that reason alone, it's like listening to a new album altogether.

[Mary Ann]

Hi Tom,
Glad to see that you joined us.
Like you, I seem to favor disc #2 and perhaps for the same reasons as you mentioned. I enjoyed disc #1 for the absolutely un-Lightfoot sound on the first two tracks and the bit of "country twang" that made Gary J cringe as said in another thread. Disc #3 has most of Gord's more notable hits- those that even non-GL fans have heard. And lastly, disc #4 has the most "unreleased" cuts on any of the discs and for that reason alone, it's like listening to a new album altogether.

[Wingdrops]

I also am partial to Disk 2, probably because that's the era that drew me to Gord.

I also think that Disk 4 is the weakest, but ask me again in a month or so. I like all the "unreleased" cuts on all of the disks with the exception of "Canary Yellow Canoe," which I find harmless but not very interesting. However, I think the rarities included on Disk 2 are the greatest additions to the album. I agree with Mary Ann that Disk 4 is like a whole new album, not only because of the quantity of unreleased material, but also because Shadows and Salute are not available on CD.

The reason I say to "ask again" about Disk 4 in a month or so is that Songbook, and in particular Disk 4, has prompted me to reexamine my views of the later phase of Gord's work. Until recently, I had not been particularly fond of GL's post-70's albums as compared to his earlier work (with the exception of Shadows, one of Gord's alltime best, IMHO).

Songbook prompted me to give the later albums a fresh look. I can already see that I underestimated East of Midnight (although I still do not care for "A Lesson in Love"). I also would have preferred that Disk 4 had included "Anything for Love" and "Stay Loose" and perhaps "Ecstacy Made Easy" to go with "Morning Glory," instead of the other selections from East of Midnight.

For my "ideal" disk 4, I would have preferred some "lighter" songs in the mix, perhaps "Blackberry Wine," "Biscuit City," and "RingNeck Loon." Perhaps also some more uptempo songs (perhaps "Drifters" and/or "I'd Rather Press On" ?) I'd rather have had had the Shadows version of "Triangle" in Songbook than "Baby Step Back," which has an adequate version on Gord'sGold2. I also think "Restless" would have been a good representation of the type of song that only Gord can pull off.

Actually, on further reflection, I would have needed a disk 5. The absence of that disk is the biggest omission.



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"And the laughter came too easy for life to pass me by." - SDYS

[2Much2Lose]

I also am partial to Disk 2, probably because that's the era that drew me to Gord.

I also think that Disk 4 is the weakest, but ask me again in a month or so. I like all the "unreleased" cuts on all of the disks with the exception of "Canary Yellow Canoe," which I find harmless but not very interesting. However, I think the rarities included on Disk 2 are the greatest additions to the album. I agree with Mary Ann that Disk 4 is like a whole new album, not only because of the quantity of unreleased material, but also because Shadows and Salute are not available on CD.

The reason I say to "ask again" about Disk 4 in a month or so is that Songbook, and in particular Disk 4, has prompted me to reexamine my views of the later phase of Gord's work. Until recently, I had not been particularly fond of GL's post-70's albums as compared to his earlier work (with the exception of Shadows, one of Gord's alltime best, IMHO).

Songbook prompted me to give the later albums a fresh look. I can already see that I underestimated East of Midnight (although I still do not care for "A Lesson in Love"). I also would have preferred that Disk 4 had included "Anything for Love" and "Stay Loose" and perhaps "Ecstacy Made Easy" to go with "Morning Glory," instead of the other selections from East of Midnight.

For my "ideal" disk 4, I would have preferred some "lighter" songs in the mix, perhaps "Blackberry Wine," "Biscuit City," and "RingNeck Loon." Perhaps also some more uptempo songs (perhaps "Drifters" and/or "I'd Rather Press On" ?) I'd rather have had had the Shadows version of "Triangle" in Songbook than "Baby Step Back," which has an adequate version on Gord'sGold2. I also think "Restless" would have been a good representation of the type of song that only Gord can pull off.

Actually, on further reflection, I would have needed a disk 5. The absence of that disk is the biggest omission.



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"And the laughter came too easy for life to pass me by." - SDYS

[Borderstone]

It's easily a tie between #2 & #3! Disc #1 third place and #4 last but the least! http://www.corfid.com/ubb/smile.gif

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Borderstone (An,"Avid Listner" of G.L.)

[titan]

I like them all ( of course) but my favorite is disc #3. I have grown very fond of track #6 Now and Then. It's a song that I can listen to over and over again. The Wreck of The Edmund Fitzgerald,Sundown and Carefree Highway are also at the top of my list. I listen to disc #3 without interuption at least once a week. I listen to the other
CD's too but find myself skipping around sometimes. Disc #3 is a masterpiece without exception for me.

[titan]

I like them all ( of course) but my favorite is disc #3. I have grown very fond of track #6 Now and Then. It's a song that I can listen to over and over again. The Wreck of The Edmund Fitzgerald,Sundown and Carefree Highway are also at the top of my list. I listen to disc #3 without interuption at least once a week. I listen to the other
CD's too but find myself skipping around sometimes. Disc #3 is a masterpiece without exception for me.

[mtheeb]

The answer to this query is so obvious that it pains me, like a dagger to the heart, when others get it wrong: FOUR, FOUR, FOUR (as noted by Kate in Philadelphia)!

[Restless]

The answer to this query is so obvious that it pains me, like a dagger to the heart, when others get it wrong: FOUR, FOUR, FOUR (as noted by Kate in Philadelphia)!

[Tattoo Man]

woah,i just boght that songbook CD box 3 days ago and now thers like 2 or 3 threads about it. I played the number 4 disc 1sdt. Not bad! so far this lightfoot dude is the shizz! those that don' know that word,it's a good word to him.

[Tattoo Man]

woah,i just boght that songbook CD box 3 days ago and now thers like 2 or 3 threads about it. I played the number 4 disc 1sdt. Not bad! so far this lightfoot dude is the shizz! those that don' know that word,it's a good word to him.

[BILLW]

GrandMaster B,

You're mining the vaults again I see. And it drives me nuts when I realize, albeit slowly, that I'm reading three year old posts. But just to show that we all appreciate your digging I'll answer the original question. Disc # 2 , no contest.

Bill http://www.corfid.com/ubb/smile.gif

[Cathy]

If I only had the choice of listening to one of the four, it would be disc 2.
My favorite thing to do, though, is to head down Interstate 95 and make the long drive out of Maine while listening to the entire set, starting with disc 1 and working my way through all of them. It's becoming a ritual of sorts every time I go on a road trip.

Cathy

[fowlesjohn]

why? Why decide this is best and that is not... truly I can not decide this they are all just awesome.

[gwen snyder]

why? Why decide this is best and that is not... truly I can not decide this they are all just awesome.

[mtheeb]

Why? Because only one of the discs contains the most wonderful unknown Lightfoot song EVER: Always on the Bright Side. That's why!

4444 4444 4444 4444

[Restless]

Why? Because only one of the discs contains the most wonderful unknown Lightfoot song EVER: Always on the Bright Side. That's why!

4444 4444 4444 4444

[Dan O'Malley]

Another vote for disc 4! The music here is all the more incredible when you consider whats NOT on the disc. i.e. "Triangle", "Restless", "Drifters", "Tattoo", "Let it Ride" etc.

[joveski]

for me it's a cross between disks 2 and 4 (4 at the moment)

[Borderstone]

Bill W,not to get off topic here but if the question is a good one,that didn't get a lot of replies,why not bring it back up? It should make no matter that it's a past date. /// Anyhow,on another note,Restless,I can see where "Bright Side" could be best unknown song but my choice of the unreleased material is,"You'll Still Be Needing Me"-for it's la-la-la ending. "Why Should I Feel Blue?"-If it was meant for Shadows or Salute he should have used it. ...and finally,"Forgive Me Lord" just because it's one he should have put on an LP. For the heck of it,"Canary Yellow Canoe"! http://www.corfid.com/ubb/biggrin.gif The rest 'er good too! Been me,later! http://www.corfid.com/ubb/cool.gif

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Borderstone (An,"Avid Listner" of G.L.)

[BILLW]

Borderstone,

You're right, a good topic is a good topic no matter when. My point was that since some of us have read these threads when they were new (or newer?) it's sort of like picking up an old paper and thinking it's current and then realizing that Clinton isn't the President of the US today. I'm not suggesting you stop digging, no way, go for it. But some of these old threads died a natural death for a reason. Just kidding. Have fun.

Bill http://www.corfid.com/ubb/smile.gif

[Rebecca]

It's tough, and it depends upon my mood, but if I were forced to choose just one, it would be disc #3.
Rebecca
quote:Originally posted by Tom:
If you had to pick your favorite disc from the Songbook box-set which would it be? It is a very difficult decision because I really like Gordon's later work. For some reason disc two is the one I reach for most.

[formerlylavender]

It's a tie between #2 and #3...but I like the picture on #2 the best.

[BrightSide]

Disk 4 was the revelation when I first got the set, because I had become a lapsed Lighthead. And it's still the one I go back to most often--funnily enough, I usually head straight for a modest little song, "Never Say Trust Me." This one seems to conjure up the Gord of today like no other--even more than recent songs that are clearly greater, like "Restless."

4 rules!

[MaryEllen]

Disk 4 was the revelation when I first got the set, because I had become a lapsed Lighthead. And it's still the one I go back to most often--funnily enough, I usually head straight for a modest little song, "Never Say Trust Me." This one seems to conjure up the Gord of today like no other--even more than recent songs that are clearly greater, like "Restless."

4 rules!

[Auburn Annie]

quote:Originally posted by MaryEllen:
....funnily enough, I usually head straight for a modest little song, "Never Say Trust Me." This one seems to conjure up the Gord of today like no other--even more than recent songs that are clearly greater, like "Restless."



YES! I love "Never Say Trust Me" - the opening lines are so evocative: "The sky above is filled with stars, the road is long - no cars are in sight / With one hand on the wheel I've been driving all day, I can drive all night / I'm headed for home with one thing on my mind yeah...."

[Auburn Annie]

quote:Originally posted by MaryEllen:
....funnily enough, I usually head straight for a modest little song, "Never Say Trust Me." This one seems to conjure up the Gord of today like no other--even more than recent songs that are clearly greater, like "Restless."



YES! I love "Never Say Trust Me" - the opening lines are so evocative: "The sky above is filled with stars, the road is long - no cars are in sight / With one hand on the wheel I've been driving all day, I can drive all night / I'm headed for home with one thing on my mind yeah...."

[Borderstone]

In response to Dan O'Malley,I know what you mean about "Triangle" not being included on disc 4. When I finally got my copy of Shadows,I could not believe that was left off. Personally,I think he should've put all of Shadows on there. Aside from Dream Street Rose,it's his only 80s LP that I listen to all the way through. I skip,"Stay Loose" on E.O.M and skip,"Someone To Believe In" on Salute. GGII most tracks are okay but I really just play it for Pony Man (longer version.) //// Let's just say it right out folks,we's love a box set that includes anything and everything he's ever recorded! Good or bad! http://www.corfid.com/ubb/wink.gif It's been me,later http://www.corfid.com/ubb/cool.gif

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Borderstone (An,"Avid Listner" of G.L.)

[Char1]

Hello, all! I recognize some names here...haven't been to the NG because my ISP has problems...rrrr.
Anyway, I tend to gravitate between discs 3 & 4, although I have nothing at all against any of them. I like the sentiment "what we wanna see is a boxed set of EVERYTHING"!!

-Gary

[Sputnik]

Hello, all! I recognize some names here...haven't been to the NG because my ISP has problems...rrrr.
Anyway, I tend to gravitate between discs 3 & 4, although I have nothing at all against any of them. I like the sentiment "what we wanna see is a boxed set of EVERYTHING"!!

-Gary

[fowlesjohn]

Yeah Gary. A box set of everything would be alright (rather big, rather unmanageable, but, I bet it would grow on ya. I jhope your problems with your ISP are ended.

[gwen snyder]

Yeah Gary. A box set of everything would be alright (rather big, rather unmanageable, but, I bet it would grow on ya. I jhope your problems with your ISP are ended.

[DMD3]

Sorry, but I found it impossible to decide on this one.

[DMD3]

Sorry, but I found it impossible to decide on this one.

[Cathy]

quote:Originally posted by DMD3:
Sorry, but I found it impossible to decide on this one.

Okay, look at it this way. Suppose you've played you GL CD's soooooo much that you're parents have finally said, "Enough is enough! You can only play one CD tonight!" They hand you the boxed set and allow you to pick one CD. Which one would it be?
Now remember, in choosing which one to play, keep in mind that you can't play another one until tomorrow night.

Cathy http://www.cathycowette.com

[Char1]

Cathy sounds....rather suspiciously...like someone who has had a bit a parenting experience....

8D

[Sputnik]

Cathy sounds....rather suspiciously...like someone who has had a bit a parenting experience....

8D

[DMD3]

quote:Originally posted by Cathy:
Okay, look at it this way. Suppose you've played you GL CD's soooooo much that you're parents have finally said, "Enough is enough! You can only play one CD tonight!" They hand you the boxed set and allow you to pick one CD. Which one would it be?
Now remember, in choosing which one to play, keep in mind that you can't play another one until tomorrow night.

Cathy http://www.cathycowette.com



For no reason at all, I'm going to pick Disc #2.

[DMD3]

quote:Originally posted by Cathy:
Okay, look at it this way. Suppose you've played you GL CD's soooooo much that you're parents have finally said, "Enough is enough! You can only play one CD tonight!" They hand you the boxed set and allow you to pick one CD. Which one would it be?
Now remember, in choosing which one to play, keep in mind that you can't play another one until tomorrow night.

Cathy http://www.cathycowette.com



For no reason at all, I'm going to pick Disc #2.

[TheCromulentChipster]

I picked up Songbook only a couple of weeks ago and I couldn't get enough of Disc 4, but it's probably because I'm not so familiar with those songs and I love the bookending of Shadows and A Painter Passing Through. Not that they have anything to do with each other, I just really like them both; I'm a sentimentalist. If I had to choose the one which I felt had the best and strongest material, it would be disc 1, actually. Some of the songs on there just floor me and actually a lot of his early work is incredible. I love the UA Collection. Someone at some point back then had to have been heard to say, Hotdamn, get this kid into the studio, he's got it!!

[Big Blue]

I picked up Songbook only a couple of weeks ago and I couldn't get enough of Disc 4, but it's probably because I'm not so familiar with those songs and I love the bookending of Shadows and A Painter Passing Through. Not that they have anything to do with each other, I just really like them both; I'm a sentimentalist. If I had to choose the one which I felt had the best and strongest material, it would be disc 1, actually. Some of the songs on there just floor me and actually a lot of his early work is incredible. I love the UA Collection. Someone at some point back then had to have been heard to say, Hotdamn, get this kid into the studio, he's got it!!

[Borderstone]

Shadows and A Painter Passing Through are interrupted in the middle with 3 tracks from the Salute LP. In no particular order,"Broken Dreams" - "Someone To Believe In" and "Romance". I'm surprised he didn't add "Whispers Of The North" and the title song. That would've made 90 songs for the whole collection. Y? Y? Y? I don't know! http://www.corfid.com/ubb/biggrin.gif
Later! http://www.corfid.com/ubb/cool.gif

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Borderstone - AZ's answer to GL! (but what was the question?)

[Tom]

Wow . . . it's been 2 years since I first responded to this thread and I have to tell you I'd still pick #2, especially if presented the question with the rules Cathy set forth. http://www.corfid.com/ubb/wink.gif

[Mary Ann]

Wow . . . it's been 2 years since I first responded to this thread and I have to tell you I'd still pick #2, especially if presented the question with the rules Cathy set forth. http://www.corfid.com/ubb/wink.gif

[DMD3]

Last month I was all to likin' Disc #1 but now it's Disc #4 (again).

[DMD3]

Last month I was all to likin' Disc #1 but now it's Disc #4 (again).