Gordon Lightfoot

Gordon Lightfoot Pictures

Gordon Lightfoot Biography

The title track and first single of Gordon Lightfoot's new album, A Painter Passing Through, has a lot to do with the much-decorated artist who sings it.

"It's very autobiographical," says Lightfoot, who wrote the song and all but two of the 10 cuts on his new disc. "It's sort of the way I see myself now-or could see myself for quite a few years to come. I turn 60 this year. I've settled down now, and I'm in this wonderful position of being allowed to make my own albums-and as usual, the songs on this album paint pictures."

Be they pictures of wildlife, like the symbolic bird of "Ringneck Loon," character sketches like the subway busker in "My Little Love," or Toronto cityscapes like "On Yonge Street," A Painter Passing Through is full of the uplifting spirit and deep meaning that has marked "Gord" Lightfoot's extraordinary career. Since emerging from the Toronto folk club scene in the early '60s, the singer/songwriter has recorded 19 albums (14 for Warner Bros. or Reprise Records). He has had five Grammy nominations and has won 17 Juno Awards in his native Canada. In 1970, in recognition of his contributions in furthering Canadian culture, he received the prestigious Order of Canada citation; last November he was presented the Governor General's Award-the highest official Canadian honor, which is conferred on very few (Joni Mitchell is another) for their international efforts in spreading Canadian culture.