City to City

Gerry Rafferty’s recorded legacy contains many highlights, but none shines brighter than his most famous solo release, City to City. This superbly realized song collection offers the most complete showcase of the Scottish singer/songwriter’s diverse talents, blending Celtic folk and American country sounds with elements of orchestral rock and smooth pop balladry. There’s an authentic note of joy and gratitude heard in the old-fashioned feel of “Mattie’s Rag” and the galloping, fiddle-driven spirit of the title tune. Tracks like “Right Down the Line,” “Home and Dry” and “Island” are warmly domestic, while “Whatever’s Written In Your Heart” accepts the limits of love to the strains of a yearning gospel melody. The standout tune, of course, is “Baker Street,” a dramatically arranged portrait of a battered dreamer known for its guitar flourishes, rippling accordion and Raphael Ravenscroft’s signature saxophone riff. City to City is filled with bold instrumental colors and intriguing textures, yet at its heart remains a deeply personal glimpse at this gifted troubadour’s life and times.