Roch Voisine
On the eve of his induction into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame at Toronto’s Massey Hall, Roch Voisine releases his stunning rendition of Gordon Lightfoot’s “If You Could Read My Mind.” Twenty-three years after Lightfoot received the inaugural induction into the CSHF, Voisine joins his legacy and announces an album devoted to the songwriter who inspired him most.
“If You Could Read My Mind” is the first single from The Lightfoot Sessions, Voisine’s 31st album, arriving October 30th. The album features eleven heartfelt and personal interpretations of songs by Gordon Lightfoot, whom Voisine considers the greatest Canadian singer-songwriter of all time.
“We’ve been performing this song in concert for a few years now, and it was probably the starting point for this new project,” says Voisine. “Everywhere we played it, the audience went wild. It’s no surprise that the song became so popular. It combines incredible craftsmanship, deep emotion and an unforgettable melody.”
A poetic and melancholic reflection inspired by a failed relationship, "If You Could Read My Mind" remains one of Canada’s most beautiful and classic folk ballads. In 1971, the song opened the door for Gordon Lightfoot to the prestigious U.S. Billboard charts.
The album also features guitarist Jeff Smallwood, currently performing with Céline Dion in Paris, alongside multi-instrumentalist Jason Lang, who contributed guitars, mandolin, banjo, bass, piano and orchestration. Jean-Sébastien Baciu and Bob Stagg also contribute bass, with Gabriel Bertrand-Gagnon on piano, Tommy Gauthier on violin and Eric Lawrence on pedal steel.
The Lightfoot Sessions Live
Beginning November 3, Voisine takes The Lightfoot Sessions Live across Canada. Accompanied by a trio of seasoned musicians, he’ll perform in an intimate acoustic setting, moving between Lightfoot’s songs and favourites from his own catalogue.
“If You Could Read My Mind,” “Sundown” and “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” will share the set with “With These Eyes,” “Kissing Rain” and “I’ll Always Be There.” For Voisine, it’s a chance to perform the songs that influenced him alongside the ones that have defined his own career.
Two legendary Canadian songbooks. One unforgettable evening.
ABOUT ROCH VOISINE:
New Brunswick-born Roch Voisine has built an international career as a bilingual singer-songwriter, connecting with audiences in Canada, Europe and beyond. His breakout song “Hélène” topped the French charts for nine weeks in 1989, making him the first Canadian artist to achieve a No. 1 record in France. His catalogue also includes “I’ll Always Be There,” “Darlin’” and “Kissing Rain,” and he has worked with songwriters including David Foster, Luc Plamondon and Amy Sky. Voisine has earned multiple JUNO and Félix Awards, released numerous gold- and platinum-selling albums, and toured extensively across Canada and Europe. His honours include membership in the Order of Canada, the Order of New Brunswick and the National Order of Quebec. A 2026 Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee, Voisine pays tribute to one of his greatest inspirations on The Lightfoot Sessions, his 31st album.
Website - rochvoisine.com