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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Action Packed is a collection that's been long overdue. A brilliant, albeit subtle, guitar genius, Richard Thompson writes wonderful songs that are sometimes rocking, sometimes haunting and sometimes a little bit of both. And he presents them all in a voice that can only be called unique. Unlike most guitar heroes, Thompson is less based in the blues than he is in folk--dating back to his early years with the seminal Fairport Convention--but his has always been a folk music with bite and soul, adding things to the folk lexicon like rockabilly and zydeco. "Cooksferry Queen"--one of the 19 tracks on this compilation culled from the six albums Thompson released on Capitol between 1988 and 1999--features a guitar solo that's downright punk. Tracks such as the semi-hit "I Feel So Good", "Razor Dance" and "Bathsheba Smiles" remain as exhilarating as anything you're apt to hear. Longtime fans will need to hear the three tracks previously unreleased on CD, including a new duet with son Teddy Thompson on "Persuasion" (cowritten with Tim Finn) that is absolutely gorgeous. Ultimately, one longs for a box set that encompasses all eras (and labels) of this master's career, but Action Packed proves that the recent last third of it has been top-notch. --Bill Holdship
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
30 of 32 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
For long term fans, there is only one new track (three if you don't use vinyl), but it's a cracker .
For those of you who have not yet had the pleasure of discovering the talents of possibly the finest songwriter and guitarist this island has produced, here is a selection of his finest songs from the Capitol years.
Do yourselves a favour and give your ears a treat - buy this album!!
The lyrics are thought provoking, clever, tender, funny, dark, evocative & insightful. The tunes range from stomping rock to subtle accoustic ballads. The guitar playing is just superb throughout and the voice is simply Richard Thompson.
Its a wonderful collection of wonderful songs by a master of his craft.
I bought it just because I can.
You should too.
16 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I bought this album as an introduction to Richard Thompson having hearing 1952 Vincent Black Lightning on BBC 6 Music and being blown away by such a fantastic and very moving song.
If you've never heard him before or are looking for a more complete introduction to him, then this is the album
Highly recommended
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This anthology covers 11 years, and features 19 songs from the underrated genius Richard Thompson. He does fast stuff, slow stuff, ballads, bitter stuff and funny stuff. The melodies creep into your head and heart and linger there, as do some of the most sensitive lyrics this side of heaven. There are memorable songs of love and love lost, of death and misunderstanding, of frustration, emptiness and rejection, all carried on a raft of insidiously unforgettable melodies.
This is a fine introduction to Richard Thompson's solo work, and forms an ideal partner for the earlier Island collection which includes his work with Linda Thompson, The Best Of Richard And Linda Thomspon: The Island Record Years Once you've given these a listen you're likely to join the rest of us in exploring all the other treasures in this wonderful songwriter's albums. I envy you the journey! A bargain of real quality.
This is a fine introduction to Richard Thompson's solo work, and forms an ideal partner for the earlier Island collection which includes his work with Linda Thompson, The Best Of Richard And Linda Thomspon: The Island Record Years Once you've given these a listen you're likely to join the rest of us in exploring all the other treasures in this wonderful songwriter's albums. I envy you the journey! A bargain of real quality.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A gem
This was the album that introduced me to Richard Thompson. I can't remember what made me buy it, but I'm so glad I did. I have bought several of his albums since. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Thomas Hardy fan
First-Class Compilation - A Must Buy!
The songs on this compilation are diverse, beautifully played and stunningly good. This has everything, from foot-tapping rockers like 'Turning Of The Tide', through story-telling... Read more
Published 20 months ago by David Lusher
A master remastered
Don't hesitate if you like the singer songwriter/guitarist - add this to your collection. Richard Thompson is indeed a master on the guitar and check out his remastered songs on... Read more
Published 23 months ago by Wilma Barrow
Respectable compilation of RT's Capitol years
Richard Thompson's Capitol albums were sometimes marred by Mitchell Froom's overenthusiastic production. Read more
Published on 16 Nov 2009 by Lord Groan
two great tracks does not make a 5 star album
i read somewhere on here that thompson has always been consistent in the high quality of his work. i beg to differ. Read more
Published on 23 Aug 2009 by the lone voice of reason
Don't waste your money!
I agree with the reviewer who said it must have been a hell of a job deciding which tracks to include and which to leave out. Read more
Published on 29 Mar 2009 by Terry Starr
No Amnesia here
I recently bought this album, a true tour de force of Richard Thompsons Capitol years and capital years. My major complaint was it was not long enough. Read more
Published on 7 May 2008 by D. Parker
sorry I left it so long
Richard is anything and everything you'll ever need on this recording. He belts out rock'n'roll for the sheer fun of it, he discloses dark fantasies (or maybe truths)in dark tones,... Read more
Published on 6 Feb 2008 by Sparky
Still going strong
This latter-day compilation is a rare example of an artist who continues to turn out high quality material in middle age. Read more
Published on 26 July 2007 by D. J. H. Thorn
West coast RT?
Why 4 stars and not 5? I guess I have a hankering for the older, folkier, more acoustic, more introspective RT. Read more
Published on 18 Jun 2004 by Andy Millward
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