Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A GIG WITH RICHARD AND LINDA......brilliant, 28 Aug 2007
I'll begin with saying I'm a huge RT fan,he is in my opinion not only one
of the greatest guitarists ever from the UK,but one of the best singer/songwriters we've ever had as well.I'm no folk fan but his music
transcends the limits of so-called folk music,much in the way artists like
Show Of Hands and Martyn Joseph.RT earlier this year alone produced a new album that must be rated as among the best half dozen releases of the year
(Sweet Warrior).
Anyway to this release taken from his and his then wifes 1975 tour,it's been worth the wait because among the release are many gems such as the always beautiful'Now Be Thankful','Calvary Cross', along side almost rock n roll classics like ,Why Don't You Love Me' and 'It'll Be Me'( this gives us classic great guitar work by RT).77 plus minutes of a great tour with a great band that includes accordionist John Kirkpatrick,which has never been among sounds I've enjoyed but here adds yet another dimension to the band.A really worthwhile releases with some great songs ,great musicians
and one all RT fans will enjoy,but if your just getting into or are interested get Sweet Warrior first then try this release..what a talent !
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73 of 80 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Collectors, Now Be Thankful, 16 Aug 2007
Richard Thompson's work with his (then) wife Linda is widely regarded by fans as one of the most fertile periods in his long career, so the fact that this is the first full-length live release by the pairing makes it an enticing prospect. It is only fair to begin, therefore, by striking a warning note. This is not a definitive survey of their career, having been recorded roughly midway, after only three of their six albums together had been issued.
Another issue with this recording is that even based on the material then available to them, the set-list is disappointing. Of the gorgeous ballads, only "A Heart Needs A Home" is here, with concentration instead falling upon a stylistically broad range of tracks that takes in Thompson's own mid-tempo rockers, a Morris medley, and a number of cover versions that are primarily of interest for their rarity value. The presence of John Kirkpatrick on accordion will not suit all listeners; although his work with Thompson is greatly admired, it also shunts the entire concert into a folk orientation that is not always echoed by the choice of song. Sound quality is reasonable, but could be better, with Linda's vocals recessed and a rather narrow stereo image.
This, then, is a fairly specialised release that can in no way substitute for listening to the studio albums. Nevertheless, the generous running time (over seventy minutes) does allow for a clear treat which no Thompson fan will want to miss: full-length versions of "Calvary Cross" and "Night Comes In". Together, these tracks account for over a third of the disc, and those who like Thompson's slow-burn epics will need no further reason to order than their presence.
Overall, this is the sort of release that devotees can approach with confidence, but that casual listeners should probably avoid. Shoot Out The Lights and I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight are much better entry points.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Was that magic night really that long ago? , 27 Nov 2007
Ah, it only seems like a few years since I was in the audience in Norwich, marvelling at Richard Thompson's magic fretwork and Linda's peerless singing. My cassette recording of the concert has long since passed to dust, but now it's available on a CD at last. Richard and Linda were in their pomp, backed by John Kirkpatrick (the best, or maybe only squeezebox artiste of the time), and old Fairport chums Dave Pegg and Dave Mattacks. Where was Danny Thompson? In the bar, probably.
If you weren't there, but have heard your dear old dad, or maybe grandad, say how great the Thompsons were, then have a listen to this. In those days, Richard and Linda were still speaking to one another, and Teddy Thompson was still waiting to be born. I thought Richard was the greatest guitarist in the world (and still do).
The recording quality is fantastic, and sounds better than my fading memory of actually being there. How do they do that? For me, the highlights are Linda's pure, clear voice on "A Heart needs a Home", and the Fairport standard "Now be Thankful". From Richard, the guitar playing on "Calvary Cross" is worth the price of the CD on its own.
This live compilation is truly stunning, and if you remember them, buy it now. If you don't remember them, buy it anyway. You'll love it.
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