Gordon Lightfoot’s stands at Toronto’s Massey Hall have become a cherished tradition over the past forty years, with the Canadian troubadour having taken the stage more times than any other artist in the Hall’s 117 year history. Last May 25, 2011, Lightfoot performed his 150^th concert there, and as he prepares for this year’s stand in November, Rhino Records is reminding fans of his rich legacy there with the April 17 release of Massey Hall Moments - All Live. Why not just plain Live? Lightfoot has stressed that the recordings, selected from performances between 1998 and 2001, “have not been technically altered and are authentic live mixes” with each song heard exactly as the audience would have heard it.

Charles S. Cutts, President and CEO of the Massey Hall corporation, stated in the press release, “The contribution that Mr. Lightfoot has made to Toronto is immense and it’s only fitting that he would share some of these moments with the rest of the world with the release of Massey Hall Moments – All Live. Great halls need great performances from the greatest performers. Gordon Lightfoot is part of the Massey Hall legacy and we’re proud to welcome him back year after year. We always look forward to it. Welcome home Gordon!” This new set is also a timely reminder of Lightfoot’s contribution as a songwriter, featuring many of his most beloved compositions like “If You Could Read My Mind,” “Early Morning Rain,” “Sundown,” “Carefree Highway” and, of course, “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.” On Thursday, June 14, 2012, Lightfoot will be feted in New York City when he is inducted into the prestigious Songwriters Hall Of Fame in New York City alongside luminaries Bob Seger, Don Schlitz, Harvey Schmidt, Tom Jones and Jim Steinman.

Hit the jump for more on Massey Hall Moments – All Live including the full track listing with performance dates!

A five-time Grammy nominee, Gordon Lightfoot was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1986 and the Canadian Country Music Hall Of Fame in 2001. In May 2003 was made a Companion of the Order of Canada and is also a member of the Order of Ontario. The American Songwriters Hall of Fame is catching up with its northern neighbor; in 2004, Lightfoot was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame. He’s been celebrated by Bob Dylan (one of many artists to have recorded “Early Morning Rain”) and name-checked in song by Canadian compatriots The Guess Who. Lightfoot made his first solo album with 1966’s Lightfoot! on the United Artists label. Although well-known in Canada, Lightfoot didn’t break out in the United States until he signed with the creatively fertile Reprise Records label in 1970. For his Reprise debut Sit Down Young Stranger, Lightfoot introduced his song “If You Could Read My Mind,” and the song’s vivid imagery and pensive melody took America by storm. The album was re-titled after the song, and launched Lightfoot to widespread acclaim. Singers as diverse as Barbra Streisand and Johnny Cash would later record “If You Could Read My Mind.”

Gordon Lightfoot remained at Reprise through 1998, with 1974’s Sundown marking another crucial turning point when it became the artist’s first and only album to hit No. 1 on the pop charts. In addition to the evocative title hit, Sundown also offered the breezy “Carefree Highway.” In 1999, Rhino Records anthologized Lightfoot’s career with a definitive 4-CD box set entitled Songbook. But the singer’s career was still in progress, and in addition to his grueling tour schedule, Lightfoot issued a new studio album with 2004’s Harmony on the Linus label. He has battled health problems in recent years, including a stroke and a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm, but he still can be found on the road, making music.

Massey Hall Moments – All Live hits stores on April 17 from our friends at Rhino! You can pre-order below at Amazon.

Gordon Lightfoot, Massey Hall Moments: All Live (Rhino, 2012)

1. 14 Karat Gold (Thurs. May 7 1998)
2. If You Could Read My Mind (Thurs. May 7 1998)
3. Fine As Fine Can Be (Thurs. May 7 1998)
4. Baby Step Back (Fri. May 8 1998)
5. Early Morning Rain (Fri. May 8 1998)
6. Restless (Fri. May 8 1998)
7. A Painter Passing Through (Thurs. May 24 2001)
8. Rainy Day People (Fri. May 8 1998)
9. Ringneck Loon (Thurs. May 7 1998)
10. Shadows (Thurs. Nov 11 1999)
11. Sundown (Thurs. May 7 1998)
12. Carefree Highway (Thurs May 7 1998)
13. Christian Island (Sat. May 26 2001)
14. The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald (Thurs May 7 1998)
15. Canadian Railroad Trilogy (Thurs. Nov 11 1999)
16. Let It Ride (Sat. May 26 2001)
17. Blackberry Wine (Fri. May 8 1998)
18. Song For A Winter's Night (Fri. May 8 1998)
19. Old Dan's Records (Fri. May 25 2001)