Gordon Lightfoot - Summer Side Of Life - 1971 - Folk Rock (Vinyl) Mint Copy

Gordon Lightfoot - Summer Side Of Life - 1971 - Folk Rock (Vinyl) Mint Copy

Summer Side of Life was recorded in 1971 during a period when Gordon Lightfoot was expanding his sound beyond the acoustic folk style of his earlier Reprise releases. The sessions incorporated a mix of Nashville and Los Angeles studio musicians, including members of Area Code 615, whose contributions added electric guitar, steel guitar, and a more pronounced rhythm section to Lightfoot’s arrangements. The album was produced by Joe Wissert, who worked closely with Lightfoot throughout this era and helped shape the more contemporary production approach heard on these recordings.

All songs were written by Lightfoot, reflecting themes of travel, rural life, personal relationships, and Canadian landscapes. “Cotton Jenny” later became a charting single for Anne Murray, while “Redwood Hill” drew on Lightfoot’s interest in bluegrass traditions. The title track marked one of his earliest uses of a full folk‑rock ensemble. “Nous Vivons Ensemble” is one of Lightfoot’s few French‑language recordings, written specifically for this album.

The material was recorded during the same period that followed the commercial breakthrough of “If You Could Read My Mind,” placing the album between Sit Down Young Stranger and Don Quixote in Lightfoot’s catalog. The arrangements combine acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass, drums, steel guitar, and occasional string textures. The album documents Lightfoot’s shift toward a broader folk‑rock sound while maintaining his established songwriting style. All production, writing, and publishing information follows the details printed on the labels and jacket.

Sleeve Condition (Out of 10) ~10 excellent
Label Condition (Out of 10) ~ 10
Vinyl Condition ~ (Out of 10)
Side # 1 - 10 fantastic vinyl copy
Side # 2 - 10
BIN # R81

Label: Reprise Records – MS 2037
Format:
Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: Canada
Released: 1971
Genre: Rock, Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk Rock, Acoustic
Tracklist

A1 10 Degrees & Getting Colder 2:43
A2 Miguel 4:09
A3 Go My Way 2:13
A4 Summer Side Of Life 4:05
A5 Cotton Jenny 3:21
A6 Talking In Your Sleep 2:56
B1 Nous Vivons Ensemble 3:45
B2 Same Old Loverman 3:21
B3 Redwood Hill 2:48
B4 Love & Maple Syrup 3:13
B5 Cabaret 5:49