The Songs of Gordon Lightfoot

Time to tune up the ol' six-string, break out the capo, and learn some of Gordon Lightfoot's best-loved songs. Guitarist Pete Huttlinger starts off with “Early Morning Rain” (although originally recorded on a 12-string, Huttlinger teaches some chord voicing that emulates that fat sound on a standard guitar), followed by “Carefree Highway,” which introduces barre chords into the mix. Each new song is progressively harder than the previous tune, with “Rainy Day People” adding finger-picking techniques (Huttlinger points out that many performers who employ a lot of finger-picking often stop at beauty parlors for acrylic nails to help with the rigors of nightly gigs). Other songs taught here include “Circle of Steel” (with its Christmas-like chimes), “Steel Rail Blues” (performed in the style of Merle Travis), “Bitter Green,” “Cold on the Shoulder,” and Lightfoot's signature classic “If You Could Read My Mind.” An accompanying booklet includes staff music, tablature, chord symbols, and lyrics for each selection. Recommended. Aud: P. (C. Block)