- Audio CD (17 Nov 2004)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Format: Import
- Label: UNIVERSAL
- ASIN: B0002ZEX2Y
- Other Editions: Audio CD | MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
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Product details |
Track Listings
| 1. When I Get to the Border |
| 2. Calvary Cross |
| 3. Withered and Died |
| 4. I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight |
| 5. Down Where the Drunkards Roll |
| 6. We Sing Hallelujah |
| 7. Has He Got a Friend for Me |
| 8. Little Beggar Girl |
| 9. End of the Rainbow |
| 10. Great Valerio |
| 11. I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight [Live][#][*] |
| 12. Together Again [Live][#][*] |
| 13. Calvary Cross [Live][#][*] |
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
36 of 36 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
There is no point writing at length about this album - it is a sheer classic and demonstrates clearly why Richard Thompson is such an original musical talent. Despite not being rock in any conventional sense, it has been recognised as one of the most notable British albums of the 70s. With simple but effective arrangements, the rough-edged 'live' sound perfectly suits the subject matter of the more rhythmic tracks, whilst the sadness in Linda's voice on slow songs like 'Withered and died' and 'Has he got a friend' is truly touching. Richard and Linda's vocals are very different, and reflect the varied moods of the songs, whilst the combination of traditional folk instruments such as dulcimer, accordion and recorder with the electric guitar/bass/drums format and even a silver band is refreshingly different, maybe unique. In fact the whole album is a breath of fresh air, and a wonderful contrast to the emotionless over-production of so much current music.
The album has recently been given a new lease of life with the new remastering, which makes the recording even clearer and louder than before (I had the earlier CD issue and to me the remaster is definitely an improvement). The booklet gives full lyrics and credits, together with a brief essay and a few archive photos. There are also three live tracks added at the end (as on the other new Island remasters of the Thompsons' albums), but though these are of interest in demonstrating how the songs were typically performed on stage, they are not of any real significance.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Bright Lights was the first album to be recorded by Richard and Linda Thompson as a duo and it rates amongst their finest achievements. Why do I say this - quite simply because the standard of the albums they recorded together was exemplary and almost without fault.
RT's take on life is well illustrated here with some masterpieces as "The Calvary Cross" "I want to see the Bright Lights tonight" " The Little Beggar Girl" etc etc in fact all the tracks have worthy bits.
The track I find especially fascinating is "The End of the Rainbow" a song quite obviously telling a toddler to grow up and to forget about all those things of comfort we have in childhood such as the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Poor old Teddy Thompson never had a chance did he!
Finally a word about longevity of RT's work is the fact that I bought this album when at University after seeing RT some 30 years ago and I still love it today.
RT's take on life is well illustrated here with some masterpieces as "The Calvary Cross" "I want to see the Bright Lights tonight" " The Little Beggar Girl" etc etc in fact all the tracks have worthy bits.
The track I find especially fascinating is "The End of the Rainbow" a song quite obviously telling a toddler to grow up and to forget about all those things of comfort we have in childhood such as the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Poor old Teddy Thompson never had a chance did he!
Finally a word about longevity of RT's work is the fact that I bought this album when at University after seeing RT some 30 years ago and I still love it today.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This album has to be one of the bleakest in the annals of ''British'' Rock, but thats not to say its not also one of the most breathtaking.The humour is there together with the despair; and the intelligence and the marvellous tunes ,playing and singing. Something of a peak for Richard and Linda T.,groundbreaking,life affirming,humane and damn catchy.I would recommend this album to my worst enemy.It does what music should do:adds another dimension to life. Buy!(its relatively cheap)and enjoy.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The Bright lights shine brightly
I was tempted to try Mr Thompson after a recent gig that I missed where I live and the subsequent write-up in the local paper, by someone whose opinion I know and trust. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Tim Kidner
A classic?
Popular opinion seems to be that this is a classic album. Well, maybe it's a little early for me to tell, but while good it doesn't immediately strike me as such. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Nearvana
Timeless?
As mum once told me as she looked disapprovingly at one of my cheap shirts, quality lasts. Pondering this, I decided to randomly raid my music collection to find a long forgotten... Read more
Published on 28 Feb 2010 by John Tree
Bright
I'm new to this album despite long being aware of its reputation, one which is entirely justified. I've already listened to it five times in two days. Read more
Published on 21 Oct 2009 by D. J. H. Thorn
The Thompsons' Lights Still Burning Brightly
'Lights' is one of those forgotten classics of contemporary British music which deserves a far wider appreciation that it has hitherto enjoyed. Read more
Published on 4 Feb 2009 by Mrs. V. M. James
Starter for 5....
This is where I started with Richard Thompson: possibly not the best of ideas, because this album is simply flawless and nothing else can realistically compare! Read more
Published on 22 Oct 2007 by MisterKeith
Richard And Linda Thompson's superb debut
Having left the Brit band Fairport Convention, that he co-founded, RT soon teamed up with British folksinger Linda Peters, whom he married. Read more
Published on 18 Jan 2007 by Ben
KNocks Spots Off
After all these years I now know that R & L Thompson made amongst the very best 'rock' records ever. Read more
Published on 22 July 2006 by Mr. William Savage
Mr Thompson - A National Treasure
Just because an artist is great, does not mean the artist will sell a lot of records. Mr Thompson (along with Mr Cale et al) is one of Britain's geatest musical treasures. Read more
Published on 28 May 2006 by David G. Wright
The Best Album of the Seventies?
Ignore any caveats about re-issues. It doesn't matter what version you get of this record. Just get it. Now. It is astonishingly brilliant. Read more
Published on 6 Dec 2004 by Geoff Batchelor
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