Today we have a special dedicated to one LP album. In fact, I will try to make this somewhat of a series whenever I stumble on an LP that sounds great and that I found sitting somewhere completely forgotten in a bargain bin of a record store. This is precisely what we have now. Peter Isaacson Sings is a completely strange folk album that gathers songs by Dylan, Donovan, Gordon Lightfoot, Joni Mitchel and others covered by some mysterious singer. On the record that I have, the mysterious singer is Peter Isaacson. On a different release that people mention here and there on the Internet, his name is Greg Lee. In any case, we have no clue who that person is and what is his real name, but he has a very beautiful voice and guitar style, all recorded what appears to be a single microphone. His voice is somewhere between Gordon Lightfoot at its weakest places and Sid Selvidge at its best parts. I am completely fascinated by this beautiful and mysterious record, and in this show we will hear nearly all cuts from it, along with the originals not just for comparison sake, but also because it makes one really rich playlist!
Joni Mitchell – Both Sides Now;
Peter Isaacson – Both Sides Now;
Peter Isaacson – Blowin’ In The Wind;
Bob Dylan – Blowin’ In The Wind;
Peter Isaacson – Lalena;
Donovan – Lalena;
Peter Isaacson – Trouble In Mind;
Lightnin’ Hopkins – Trouble In Mind;
Peter Isaacson – Threw It All Away;
Bob Dylan – I Threw It All Away;
Cher – I Threw It All Away;
Peter Isaacson – Ribbon of Darkness;
Peter Isaacson – I Shall Be Released;
Bob Dylan – I Shall Be Released;
Peter Isaacson – Black Sheep Boy;
Tim Hardin – Black Sheep Boy;
Peter Isaacson – Catch The Wind;
Donovan – Catch The Wind;
Peter Isaacson – Affair On 8th Ave;
Gordon Lightfoot – Affair On 8th Ave.
I just stumbled upon this after Peter told another friend about this old album. Yes he really exists, has been playing since the 60’s, music is his life, he spent 20 years in Nashville, changed his name there to Clay Canfield, but is still known in Vermont where he is now, by his oldest fans, as Peter Isaacson. He does go by Clay professionally now. Feel free to contact me if you want to know more.