With the release of
A Painter Passing Through
,
Gordon Lightfoot
appears to have found his home and has turned in his best work in years. Gone are the uncertain arrangements of the past; in their place there is a welcome return to the essence of the
Sundown
musical era. Full of pastoral points of view,
shows that
Lightfoot
has regained his voice and his ability to tell stories that enthrall his listeners enough to keep them coming back for more. Of note are
"Much to My Surprise,"
"On Yonge St.,"
and the title cut, which show a personal simplicity while also giving a great eye for detail.
"I Used to Be a Country Singer"
is an electric
country-rock
tune that is a joy to behold. If one can forget the past ten years or so of
's career, get hold of
and bask in the glow of one of music's premier storytellers. It's
at his best in years. ~ James Chrispell