Album of the Day

Gordon Lightfoot was already popular on the Canadian folk circuit when his 1970 Reprise debut made him a star in the U.S. IF YOU COULD READ MY MIND (originally titled SIT DOWN YOUNG STRANGER) reached #12 on the Billboard album chart and remains among the performer's top sellers. Recorded in Hollywood with Lenny Waronker behind the boards, the set features instrumental support from such famous friends as Ry Cooder, John Sebastian and Van Dyke Parks, as well as orchestration by Randy Newman on a couple of tracks. Lightfoot came up with some fine originals here, including “Minstrel Of The Dawn,” “Cobwebs & Dust” and the hit title song (as well as an ace cover of “Me And Bobby McGee”), making IF YOU COULD READ MY MIND a strong set from start to finish – and an ideal way to celebrate the singer-songwriter's birthday.