Gerry Rafferty – City To City (2xLP, Half-Speed Master)

City to City (1978) is Gerry Rafferty’s warm, sophisticated, and beautifully crafted solo breakthrough — an album that perfectly balances folk introspection with soft-rock polish. Recorded after his departure from Stealers Wheel, it showcases Rafferty’s gift for melody and his smooth, emotive voice across timeless songs like “Right Down the Line,” “Home and Dry,” and the enduring classic “Baker Street.” The production, led by Hugh Murphy, is lush but never overbearing, with elegant arrangements built around acoustic guitars, saxophone, and Rafferty’s gentle sense of rhythm and space. City to City captures both the melancholy and optimism of everyday life, its tone steeped in reflection and quiet confidence. The half-speed master edition enhances the album’s warmth and clarity, giving new dimension to Rafferty’s meticulous songwriting and layered instrumentation. More than four decades on, it remains a benchmark of 1970s singer-songwriter craftsmanship — timeless, heartfelt, and sonically immaculate.

Reviews

“A near-perfect album of melodic craft and emotional honesty.” – Rolling Stone

“City to City is polished, soulful, and endlessly replayable — a soft-rock gem.” – The Guardian

“Rafferty’s voice and songwriting shine with understated brilliance.” – AllMusic