The Circle Game (40th Anniversary Edition) [Remastered]

What a great song.

I have long loved this record, too. Rush was transitioning (to the dismay of many of his folk-purist fans) into more electric and rock styles, but the quality of the songs is what keeps this a classic. What I always personally associate with this great collection of cover songs is the introduction of a new talent, unknown to me and most others before this -- a songwriting chap identified on the LP label as "J. Taylor." His two contributions to "The Circle Game" -- "Sunshine Sunshine" and "Something in the Way She Moves" -- had yet to be released on his own first record, on Apple, entitled "James Taylor." My brother and I both were smitten by the wicked fresh composition style of those songs and promptly went to our local record store to ask, "Hey, who is this 'J. Taylor' guy? Does he have a record?!" We were probably among the few who pre-ordered the first JT album, without knowing who the heck he was, on the strength of Tom's performance of those songs. Rush is still awesome today.

These are mostly covers, but exceptionally good ones. Then comes "Rockport Sunday", and "No Regrets" (the simple version, not the overproduced mess of later albums) that just carry the whole album to a new level. A great collection that never grows old. One trivia note: The woman behind Tom on the cover photo is Linda Eastman, who eventually became Mrs. Paul McCartney.

I bought the song The Circle Game (Take one) and love it. I heard it first from my friend who has the CD when I was on a silent retreat. Beautiful song.

It seems that both Buffy Sainte-Marie and Ian & Sylvia released Joni Mitchell's "Circle Game" during the year previous to the 1968 original release of this album, and the former also covered "Song to a Seagull" on her album that year. Also, Judy Collins released her Wildflowers album with several Joni Mitchell songs in '67, which included a top 10 pop hit version of a Mitchell song. But Rush had the first cover of "Urge for Going" and a minor or regional radio hit, and his cover of Jackson Browne's "Shadow Dream Song" is the only one I've ever heard--Browne's never released it that I've heard.

Wow - brings back memories. Great album. Bruce Langhorn (Mr. Tamborine man) and Hugh McCracken as back up musicians, and Tom's a great guitarist, too. I remember first hearing "the long version" of Urge for Going on Dick Summers' Sunday evening show on WBZ around 1965 or '66. It was a "bootleg" at the time, and the single was the only commercial release until The Circle Game was released. It was such a rush (pun intended) to get the full album version.

Do yourself a favor and buy "No Regrets" and "Rockport Sunday". NOW make sure they play in that order. You will never hear two songs meant to be played as a "twofer" than these.

Thank you I Tunes for making the quintessential folk album more readily available. There is no finer album, by any artist, ever. Unless ... maybe the self-titled Tom Rush. And The Circle Game. And ... every other album he ever produced. He's poignant, he's funny, he can pick that ole guitar like nobody's business. Grab up every one of his albums and songs you can find. You'll be returning to those old friends again and again.

This a great album. I have bought is several times. I worn them out. Every song is great. I am so glad it is now on itunes. This is a must have.

.."And It Felt So Strange To Walk Away Alone!"..I have "No Regrets" that it took this long to Remaster & Reissue this seminal "Folk-Pop" Album! Because 40 years later; "The Circle Game" still goes "Round And Round" in our heads! {We have fond memories of many a "Rockport Sunday"; Taking the B&M train up from Boston to spend the day in the "Sunshine Sunshine!"} (Yes; as the previous reviewer stated; This was @ the first time most of us heard tunes by Jackson; James & Joni!) Now "Little Tommy Rush From New Hampshire" has continued to champion up-and-coming Folkie-Songwriters to this day; To his Finger-Pickin' Credit! {Check out Steve Goodman's version of "The Glory Of Love"; too!} Dig This Disc Again!...by Grimmbo.