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The tracks are selected from albums Richard released in the '70s both solo and with his then wife, Linda and display a remarkable richness of texture both musical and lyrical. It's been said often enough that Richard's lyrics were all "doom and gloom", and there's plenty of that here, of course, witness the title track and "Down where the drunkards roll" but there are also songs that are more uplifting such as "I want to see the bright lights tonight" in their wry take on life as lived.
Like a lot of people who were brought up musically in the 60s and 70s on a diet of Top 40 radio, my exposure to music outside most radio DJ's playlists was very limited; but listening to friends' Fairport Convention and Pentangle albums opened the door to a different world. Richard Thompson and his albums have always been highly rated by the "thinking" music magazines but popular acclaim has always evaded him, almost certainly because the aforementioned Top 40 radio stations took the view that Thompsons gloomy lyrics wouldn't go down well. Shades of Dave Edmund's "A1 on the Jukebox"!
So go on, buy it. You won't regret it. Buy it for Linda's clear, honest and beautiful vocals (How is it that England has produced so many wonderful female vocalists in the folk-rock tradition over the years...Sandy Denny, Maddy Prior, Jacqui McShee?) ; buy it for Richard's searingly open lyrics and guitar playing; buy it, even for John Kirkpatrick's essential contributions on accordion and anglo concertina; but most of all, and if for only one track, buy it for "Dimming of the Day". Along with Lowell George's "Twenty Million Things" this must rank as the most impossibly, achingly beautiful song in the, oh, the heck with it, English language.
I rest my case
Thompson has always been lyrically strong and concise (check out some of the killer lines in later albums such as 'Mirror Blue' or 'Rumour & Sigh'), and these songs seem wrung from almost all aspects of life, whether it be the need to 'do a runner' ('When I get to the Border'), the dark gothic ('The Great Valerio') with its yearning echoes of lonliness and leavetaking, sacrifice ('Calvary Cross'), surrender ('Beat the Retreat'), death ('Never Again'). However, this is not simply a gloom-ridden take on life, but rather a long and anguished love song celebrating how the 'heart has its reasons', and includes the classic love songs 'A Heart needs a Home', and the growing ache of need in 'The Dimming of the Day'.
As well as highlighting Thompson's sensitive and beautifully crafted lyrics, this collection also showcases his guitar work, subtle melodies which worm their way into your heart and soul and refuse to leave, and clever use of his accompanying musicians. Another clear standout is the glorious crystal clear tones of Linda Thompson, whose voice gives emotional life to the lyrics.
This is grown-up music making in every way, and like all meaningful relationships, it needs to be given time to work its magic, but when it does...
No lover of serious music should be without this essential collection.
As I have said, the selection is excellent and because the track selection is in chronological order you can trace Thompson's development as a singer, songwriter and musician through those exciting years. I can't not mention Linda's voice which was always a superb foil for Richard's songwriting. It has been a great loss to British music that she has all but retired form the music business.
One last gripe - there's always one - the liner notes by Clinton Heylin contain his usual mistakes and lack of depth of knowledge - his chronological knowledge is out of order. Still, it doesn't mar the album - which has an excellent cover, too. Well done Island, you got this one right. Now I only need take this CD with me on holiday instead of wondering how to fit them all in.
However... Read more
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