- Original Release Date: 15 Mar 2001
- Release Date: 1 Sep 2004
- Label: Capitol Catalog
- Copyright: (C) 2001 Capitol Records, Inc.
- Total Length: 1:16:40
- Genres:
- ASIN: B001J7B3VS
- Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 14,781 in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 in MP3 Albums)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
32 of 34 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.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Sentinel
TOP 500 REVIEWER
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.
18 of 21 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
By GlynLuke
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Audio CD
This compilation from four of Richard Thompson`s most musically uncompromising albums, dating from 1988-99, is a real boon, as it cherry-picks the best tracks from those albums to give the grateful listener a feast of Thompsoniana that includes two of the finest songs - by anyone - of the last forty years. In fact, why don`t I just come out and say it: this man is the greatest contemporary songwriter, bar none. He`s certainly the subtlest, though his friend Loudon Wainwright is funnier, and Dylan simply untouchable. But RT, since the 70s, has been surely the most consistently brilliant.
According to the excellent booklet notes by Rob Bowman, the unimprovable song 1952 Vincent Black Lightning is `the most requested song on National Public Radio in the United States` - quite an achievement for an old folkie from W London. I can believe it though, since once heard the song is impossible to forget. Like so many RT songs, it`s about real people in credible situations, a poetic, witty lyric which shows both compassion and a wry empathy for their humanity. I love its opening lines:
Says Red Molly to James, `That`s a fine motorbike,
A girl could feel special on any such like`.
Says James to Red Molly, `My hat`s off to you,
It`s a Vincent Black Lightning Nineteen fifty-two`
The names he chooses for his characters are always just right. Red Molly...!
Chuck Berry never wrote a better, more affecting song than this, and that`s the highest praise I can think of.
Beeswing is the other obvious unforgettable song here, a gentle mid-tempo nostalgic ditty set in the Summer of Love, which may well be the most beautiful song in his repertoire. He`s tenderly remembering a girl:
She was a rare thing, fine as a beeswing...... Read more ›
According to the excellent booklet notes by Rob Bowman, the unimprovable song 1952 Vincent Black Lightning is `the most requested song on National Public Radio in the United States` - quite an achievement for an old folkie from W London. I can believe it though, since once heard the song is impossible to forget. Like so many RT songs, it`s about real people in credible situations, a poetic, witty lyric which shows both compassion and a wry empathy for their humanity. I love its opening lines:
Says Red Molly to James, `That`s a fine motorbike,
A girl could feel special on any such like`.
Says James to Red Molly, `My hat`s off to you,
It`s a Vincent Black Lightning Nineteen fifty-two`
The names he chooses for his characters are always just right. Red Molly...!
Chuck Berry never wrote a better, more affecting song than this, and that`s the highest praise I can think of.
Beeswing is the other obvious unforgettable song here, a gentle mid-tempo nostalgic ditty set in the Summer of Love, which may well be the most beautiful song in his repertoire. He`s tenderly remembering a girl:
She was a rare thing, fine as a beeswing...... Read more ›
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By David Lusher
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:Audio CD
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 songs such as '1952 Vincent Black Lightning', to glorious ballads such as 'Beeswing' or 'Persuasion' (a masterpiece). If you are unfamiliar with the music of Richard Thompson then this is a fine place to start. If you're already a fan, then these remastered tracks should satisfy. Highly recommended.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Lord Groan
Format:Audio CD
Richard Thompson's Capitol albums were sometimes marred by Mitchell Froom's overenthusiastic production. This compilation is a very good representation of those years and has great variety of pace and theme. Well worth the money.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This latter-day compilation is a rare example of an artist who continues to turn out high quality material in middle age. Thompson's folk influences are evident, but it's a collection that ought to appeal to anyone who appreciates thinking-man's popular music. 'I Misunderstood,' for example, is the type of recording you might expect from Crowded House, while there are a few songs reminiscent of the so-called power-pop bands of the new wave era. Nevertheless, Thompson is at his most compelling when he accompanies himself on guitar on the menacing 'Cold Kisses.' There are a few instant offerings, the best of which is 'Feel So Good' but this is a varied and highly enjoyable collection of intelligent, thought-provoking songs.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
The start of a small obsession
I borrowed this CD initially from the library around 10 years ago. I'd had the Neil Finn song "Persuasion" in my collection ever since it was first released but never joined the... Read more
Published 5 days ago by Wrax
5.0 out of 5 stars
Action Packed - The Best Of Capitol Years by Richard Thompson
This album encouraged me to buy his Capitol recordings "Mock Tudor" "Mirror Blue" and "You Me Us" featured on this compilation. Read more
Published 26 days ago by P. R. Phillips
5.0 out of 5 stars
a great compilation
For a new fan of Thompsons music this is the perfect compilation to buy instead of buying several cd's. Read more
Published 1 month ago by mr graham a hutton
5.0 out of 5 stars
Stunning Collection
If you like Richard Thompson, then buy this! All the concert favourites on one disc. I keep mine in the kitchen and have it on when I'm cooking!
Published 2 months ago by Philreally
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good selection
I recently saw Richard in concert and wanted a good wide ranging selection. This fitted the bill well and included my two favorite songs.
Published 3 months ago by Mr. Nigel J. Karney
4.0 out of 5 stars
Superb
Superb double album of well penned songs from the maestro Knopfler with the usual excellent quality production and sound techniques
Published 4 months ago by Mr Graham Hall
5.0 out of 5 stars
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 21 months ago by Thomas Hardy fan
5.0 out of 5 stars
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 on 21 Jun 2010 by Wilma Barrow
2.0 out of 5 stars
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
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