Beautiful: A Tribute to Gordon Lightfoot

Ah, slap me with a fish and call me shrimp, because Various Artists' "Beautiful: A Tribute to Gordon Lightfoot" is one tasty musical smorgasbord! Like a cheeky pint of real ale on a Sunday afternoon, this album is simply delightful. From the haunting vocals of Bob Dylan on "Ring Them Bells" to the rollicking rendition of "Sundown" by Johnny Cash, each track is a loving homage to the legendary Canadian troubadour. It's like a musical love letter, written in the language of folk and delivered with the grace of a sparrow in flight. But it's not all sunshine and rainbows, oh no. Some tracks like Sarah McLachlan's take on "Song for a Winter's Night" feel a bit like a soggy biscuit left out in the rain. And don't even get me started on Neil Young's shaky performance on "Early Morning Rain". It's as if he's trying to sing through a mouthful of marbles! Overall, "Beautiful" is a mixed bag of musical goodies, like a box of chocolates with the odd coffee-flavoured one thrown in. It's a delightful tribute to a living legend, warts and all. So grab yourself a cuppa, put your feet up, and let the soothing sounds of Gordon Lightfoot wash over you like a warm hug from an old friend. Cheers!