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Product Description
Review
In 1971 Richard Thompson made an impulsive decision to leave Fairport Convention, a group he helped found, in order to release his own albums. It didn’t pay off. At least, not commercially it didn’t – while Henry the Human Fly was well received by his fanbase, it apparently remains Warner Brothers’ lowest-selling album of all time.
Still, some 40 years, an Ivor Novello and BBC Lifetime Achievement Award later, Thompson has managed to turn things around a bit. The last decade has seen him release three studio albums on top of career retrospective Walking on a Wire and provide the soundtrack for Warner Herzog’s moving Grizzly Man documentary, while his recent tenure as Artistic Director for London’s Meltdown Festival resulted in the programming of a diverse range of artists from Seasick Steve to Elvis Costello.
The bulk of Dream Attic was recorded over three shows at San Francisco’s Great American Music Hall in February of this year. Citing his preference for live performance over studio labour, the record is, somewhat unusually, a new set of songs delivered in a live setting. This emphasis on spark and energy pays dividends.
Thompson’s lived-in voice and dazzling prowess as a guitar player are evident from the offset: The Money Shuffle is a wry, Wall Street-baiting stomper that opens with the inspired line “I love kittens, and little babies…” before ripping apart the hypocrisy and nonsensical attitudes that lie at the heart of modern commerce, all over blistering guitar solos and leavening saxophone. The record then dives headlong into stark balladry, contemplative jams and reflections on eras past and friends departed (Stumble On is wonderfully restrained, while A Brother Slips Away is real heart-on-sleeve stuff, couched in regret and sentiment). Big Sun Falling in the River even boasts a Billie Jean-approximating bassline, and the ascent towards the record’s closing bow is nothing short of magical.
The musicianship is sound throughout, and though a few of the tracks here could benefit from a trim round the edges (the majority clock in at well over five minutes apiece), it’s difficult to begrudge a group of this collective talent spinning off each other as these songs meet their inevitable, well-earned applause. Although not unanimously blinding, Dream Attic is replete with the kind of deft flourishes and considered wordplay that fans of the singer will be more than familiar with. Chalk up another triumph, then.
--James SkinnerFind more music at the BBC This link will take you off Amazon in a new window
CD Description
Dream Attic heralds the return of Richard Thompson, one of the most distinguished guitarists and songwriters of our time, with a magnificent collection of 13 new songs.
Penned during a short and inspired burst of creative outpouring, the songs were performed during a West Coast tour in February 2010 and the bulk of the performances that made the album come from three shows at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco. "I don't think musicians playing on their own are particularly interesting, it's only when they play in front of an audience that something interesting happens" said Thompson in an interview at one of the shows.
The album opens explosively with "The Money Shuffle", which Thompson says is "dedicated to our good friends on Wall Street who did such a fine job lately...it's just a mild satire". The resulting take is the antithesis of mild, building towards an absolutely scalding guitar solo. From this bracing start, the sequence rolls through traditionally rooted balladry ("Among the Gorse, Among the Grey", an intriguing, sharply-drawn character study ("Here Comes Geordie), image-filled observations ("Burning Man") and recollections of bygone eras ("Demons in Her Dancing Shoes"). "Sidney Wells" is a traditional murder ballad in modern dress, "Crimescene" is a raging reaction to the inexorable aging process. "A Brother Slips Away" is a moving elegy to friends the 61-year-old Thompson has lost within the last year and "Big Sun Falling in the River" is a bouyantly Beatlesque instant classic.
Penned during a short and inspired burst of creative outpouring, the songs were performed during a West Coast tour in February 2010 and the bulk of the performances that made the album come from three shows at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco. "I don't think musicians playing on their own are particularly interesting, it's only when they play in front of an audience that something interesting happens" said Thompson in an interview at one of the shows.
The album opens explosively with "The Money Shuffle", which Thompson says is "dedicated to our good friends on Wall Street who did such a fine job lately...it's just a mild satire". The resulting take is the antithesis of mild, building towards an absolutely scalding guitar solo. From this bracing start, the sequence rolls through traditionally rooted balladry ("Among the Gorse, Among the Grey", an intriguing, sharply-drawn character study ("Here Comes Geordie), image-filled observations ("Burning Man") and recollections of bygone eras ("Demons in Her Dancing Shoes"). "Sidney Wells" is a traditional murder ballad in modern dress, "Crimescene" is a raging reaction to the inexorable aging process. "A Brother Slips Away" is a moving elegy to friends the 61-year-old Thompson has lost within the last year and "Big Sun Falling in the River" is a bouyantly Beatlesque instant classic.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Richard Thompson can do no wrong in my eyes! Sometimes I wonder why I like him so much. On reflection, perhaps it's because he, and his music is different from anything else currently available within 'rock' music. (I use the term 'rock' loosely). He is unrivalled, unique, second to none!! This is simply a wonderful CD from
Richard Thompson. The songs are excellent, each with its own story to tell and the blend of instruments works really well. In addition,not many people would take the risk of recording a 'live' album showcasing all new songs.
Personal favourites are 'Here Comes Geordie', Demons In Her Dancing Shoes', Big Sun Falling In The River','Sidney Wells' (a modern day murder ballad) and 'A Brother Slips Away'. If you are a guitar player just listen to the playing on this CD and be amazed. If you like good music, great lyrics sung clearly and exemplary playing, give yourself a treat and buy Dream Attic right now!
Richard Thompson. The songs are excellent, each with its own story to tell and the blend of instruments works really well. In addition,not many people would take the risk of recording a 'live' album showcasing all new songs.
Personal favourites are 'Here Comes Geordie', Demons In Her Dancing Shoes', Big Sun Falling In The River','Sidney Wells' (a modern day murder ballad) and 'A Brother Slips Away'. If you are a guitar player just listen to the playing on this CD and be amazed. If you like good music, great lyrics sung clearly and exemplary playing, give yourself a treat and buy Dream Attic right now!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
OK, so I'm a long standing RT fan.. forgive me..! I was delighted to read a while back that his new CD was with a full electric band. Recorded live to...! I thought that would likely work well.
And it quite definitely does. It perhaps not 'obviously' live - its not 'Made In Japan'..!! The recording does not suffer at all though, in fact in many ways it works perfectly for the electrified RT.
This is how I like my RT served up - with pleanty of energy & drive. Good songs as always - where does he find the twisted tales he writes, from..? Not a bad track on it - they are all good. I woud stuggle to pick my favourite.
I would thoroughly recommend this CD to RT fans old or new. Buy now. You won't regret it!!
And it quite definitely does. It perhaps not 'obviously' live - its not 'Made In Japan'..!! The recording does not suffer at all though, in fact in many ways it works perfectly for the electrified RT.
This is how I like my RT served up - with pleanty of energy & drive. Good songs as always - where does he find the twisted tales he writes, from..? Not a bad track on it - they are all good. I woud stuggle to pick my favourite.
I would thoroughly recommend this CD to RT fans old or new. Buy now. You won't regret it!!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
RT returns to form with a classic collection of self penned works, following his previous below par offering, this is a breath of fresh air and shows that while at bus pass age he still has what it takes.
This is out and out quality and will not disappoint.
This is out and out quality and will not disappoint.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
FANS WILL LOVE IT-NEWBIES WILL BE CONVERTED
Wholeheartedly recommend this album to all fans and newbies, saw him perform this album in concert this month and wow! Read more
Published 15 months ago by Mrs. Sally A. Mitchell
Dream Attic (Richard Thompson)
RT has been touring the UK promoting this CD. I've been to 2 of these concerts & both times, the first half, in which the CD songs were played, was dull. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Atlanta
"Free" track??
Not in my geographic territory - booo!
Not likely to buy given this swizz.
Not likely to buy given this swizz.
Published 19 months ago by Deacon
Nice, but...
I have really loved RT's last 4 or 5 albums for their finely crafted and detailed songs.
On 'Front Parlour Ballads' the rich imagery of press-ganged sailors' utterly miserable... Read more
On 'Front Parlour Ballads' the rich imagery of press-ganged sailors' utterly miserable... Read more
Published 20 months ago by MidWinter
Another decent Richard Thompson album
The sound is interesting - not that sharp - having been recorded live. Some great songs. My favourites; Crimescene, Stumble on & If love whispers your name. Great guitar playing. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Richard J. Hillier
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