If You Could Read My Mind, released in April of 1970, was the album that established
singer/songwriter Gordon lightfoot as a world class artist. Featuring the smash hit title track,
the album also highlighted nine other Lightfoot originals and the first recorded version of Kris
Kristopherson's "Me And Bobby McGee," later a hit for Janis Joplin.
Canadian born, Gordon Lightfoot relocated to Los Angeles in the late 50s. There he
established a reputation as a gifted and versatile songwriter, vocal arranger and
instrumentalist. By the mid-60s, a wide range of recording stars were convering his material,
including Johnny Cash, Harry Belafonte, Judy Collins, Waylon Jennings and Peter, Paul &
Mary, for whom he wrote "Early Morning Rain." Lightfoot himself became a rising star in the
folk world, performing regularly in Toronto coffee houses and working with Tom Paxton, Phil
Ochs and Ian & Sylvia.
Lightfoot released his first album in 1966. Four more followed before he signed to Reprise
Records in 1970 and recorded If You Could Read My Mind, an album that help bridge the
gap between folk and pop music. Produced by Lenny Waronker and Joe Wisserrt, the album
also contains such Lightfoot classics as "Sit Down Young Stranger" and "Minstrel Of The
Dawn." Within two months of its release, If You Could Read My Mind had sold over one
million copies worldwide. |
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