One walks into Gordon Lightfoot's albums with shaded eyes, waiting to catch him finally running out of the melodies around which he builds his simple, pleasant songs. He's been doing the same wonderful things for so long, with such a large following, that it must seem unnecessary for him to put great effort into his records. Yet his meticulously constructed tunes and arrangements never fail to lift you from the doldrums. At this point, Lightfoot may be more artisan than artist, but like a handmade piece of furniture, his work remains strong and sturdy.

Summertime Dream continues his uncanny ability to furnish his lyrics with melodies and choruses that are both danceable and hummable. He pauses only once per side for gentle "messages." "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" is a tradition-steeped folk narrative that tells of a freighter sinking in Lake Superior last November, and "Protocol" skillfully lashes at wars and their causes. Songs like these are now more exceptions than the rule for Lightfoot, but that matters little. It's hard to argue and hum at the same time. (RS 219)

BILLY ALTMAN