Gordon Lightfoot Book, Music and More!

Last night at Toronto’s historic Cameron House, Doug Paisley hosted his popular but all too occasional Golden Country Classics show, giving the packed front room a cozy respite from a nasty pre-winter storm. The acclaimed singer-songwriter delivered resonant renditions of well-worn weepers by Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash and George Jones, backed by Blue Rodeo’s sturdy rhythm section of Bazil Donovan and Glenn Milchem, ace fiddler Kendel Carson and master ivories tickler John Sheard. A superb composer himself, Paisley also sang his fine “Starter Home” before delivering warm, lovingly burnished covers of Ron Hynes and Bob Dylan. Paisley’s Toronto appearances are all too infrequent these days, so...

The talented troubadour's fifth album, and first since 2018's Starter Home, offers no big surprises—just more first-rate folk and country songs, many of which sound like they're destined to join such other Paisley classics as “Drinking With a Friend” or "No One But You." But consistency is a virtue worth celebrating. And Paisley's intimate songwriting, warm voice and crisp guitar work is never anything less than exceptional. He's like a modern-day Kristofferson or Lightfoot who keeps hitting it out of the park.  This time around, Paisley works with Afie Jurvanen (Bahamas), who produces and provides additional guitar, as well as sterling side players including drummer Don Kerr, guit...