Summertime Dream

Infobox Album |
Name = Summertime Dream
Type = Album
Artist = Gordon Lightfoot


Released = June, 1976
Recorded = Eastern Sound Studios, Toronto, December, 1975 - January, 1976
Genre = Folk
Length = 37:26
Label = Reprise
Producer = Lenny Waronker and Gordon Lightfoot
Reviews = *Allmusic Rating|4.5|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:2z420r5ac48i~T1 link]
*"Rolling Stone" (not rated) [http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/gordonlightfoot/albums/album/174939/review/5941737/summertime_dream link]
Last album = "Cold on the Shoulder"
(1975)
This album = "Summertime Dream"
(1976)
Next album = "Endless Wire"
(1978)

"Summertime Dream" is Canadian singer Gordon Lightfoot's 12th original album, released on the Reprise Records label in 1976. The album peaked at #12 on the Billboard pop chart.

The album marked Lightfoot's commercial zenith after a remarkable period of popularity which began with the 1970 hit, "If You Could Read My Mind". He would never again achieve the same level of commercial success.

The album shot to popularity on the back of the haunting ballad, "The Wreck of the "Edmund Fitzgerald"", which told the story of the final hours of the SS "Edmund Fitzgerald" which sank on Lake Superior in November 1975. The song remains popular to this day and has been credited with making the sinking of the "Edmund Fitzgerald" the most famous maritime incident in the history of the Great Lakes.

However, the album was not carried by this song. It is generally regarded as one of Lightfoot's better albums, if not his best. He blends slick, country style songs ("Race Among the Ruins") with his traditional folk ballads ("I'm Not Supposed to Care"). This is backed up by some excellent musicianship and production.

"The Wreck of the "Edmund Fitzgerald" peaked at #2 on the pop chart and at #50 on the country chart while "Race Among the Ruins" peaked at #65 on the pop chart.

Track listing

# "Race Among the Ruins" – 3:21
# "The Wreck of the "Edmund Fitzgerald"" – 6:32
# "I'm Not Supposed to Care" – 3:31
# "I'd Do it Again" – 3:14
# "Never too Close" – 3:04
# "Protocol" – 4:02
# "The House You Live In" – 2:55
# "Summertime Dream" – 2:30
# "Spanish Moss" – 3:51
# "Too Many Clues in this Room" – 4:49

All songs composed by Lightfoot.

Credits

* Gordon Lightfoot - Main performer, 6- & 12-string guitar, Piano
* Terry Clements - Lead guitar
* Rick Haynes - Bass
* Pee Wee Charles - Pedal steel guitar
* Barry Keane - Drums, Percussion
* Jim Gordon - Drums on "The House You Live In"

External links

* [http://www.lightfoot.ca/sdrmlist.htm Album lyrics and chords]