Gordon Lightfoot is working on his first studio album in 15 years

Gordon Lightfoot, who embarks on a North American tour in March, has announced that he is currently working on his 21st album. The as-of-yet untitled project will follow 2004's Harmony, the recording of which was interrupted by Lightfoot's health issues.

Speaking to Billboard, the 80-year-old described the new project as "kind of philosophical" and "kind of funny". Lightfoot went on to remark that the album has "got a great beat and my arrangements are real good too. I write all my own arrangements for my band."

Despite suffering various health problems over the last number of years, the Canadian singer-songwriter's new album will apparently be one of his most positive yet: "It's more of an optimistic point of view really. It's gonna be fun, it's gonna be an album where negativity is at the minimum and positivity prevails. I'm just trying to relate to your personal experience... You can find it on the ups and the downs and the roller coaster ride through life. And you relate it to your songs. This time I'm just going positive."

Addressing his advancing years and past illness, Lightfoot joked, "If I'm still walking around we'll finish it."

Lightfoot's songs have been covered by a wide array of music icons over the years, including Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, and Glen Campbell. His own recordings have also achieved major international success, particularly hits like 'If You Could Read My Mind', 'Sundown', and 'The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald'.

Back in 2016, the folk-rock legend played his first Irish gig in over 30 years, with performances at Belfast's Waterfront and Dublin's Bord Gáis Energy Theatre.