Re: Richard Thompson @ Salon
Dave -- Thanks for posting the RT article. As I've probably mentioned before, RT is the only musician who's ever been able to bring me to tears live in concert -- his guitar-playing is gut-wrenching, and his songs even more so. Rob ___ Rob Russell Johnson City, TN [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://listen.to/thebystanders -- From: Dave Purcell [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: passenger side [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Richard Thompson @ Salon Date: Thursday, March 18, 1999 11:51 AM I haven't seen this mentioned yet -- Richard Thompson is the subject of this week's "Brilliant Careers" series at Salon Magazine. http://www.salonmagazine.com/bc/1999/03/16bc.html Dave *** Dave Purcell, [EMAIL PROTECTED] Northern Ky Roots Music: http://w3.one.net/~newport Twangfest: http://www.twangfest.com
re: Richard Thompson
On Sat, 13 Mar 1999, Gregg Makepeace wrote: I guess I don't buy a Richard Thompson album for the cool percussive effects or keyboard noises. Amnesia doesn't really have too much of the heavy handed stuff on it but "Mirror Blue" sure does. this sums it up perfectly. I really really agree with Gregg here. I heard richard do a live radio NPR tour prior to Mirror Blue and was blown away by the songs and looking forward to it . . . then I get the disc and it is flat, overproduced, w/bizarre drums and percussiona and a couple of stupid songs about fast food/cars that I (w/complete ignorance) blame on Froom! g This is well said -- the less production the better with a talent like RT. -jim
re: Richard Thompson
But with the exception of Rumour and Sigh I don't think his records hold up as well as his songs. ANd I blame the production more than anything. I would still agree with Terry, if he had done anything that I liked in the last 5 years . . . but INdustry and a bunch of live bootlegs with Danny Thompson has left me a little wanting. What Jim said. I'm a longtime RT fan and most of the Mitchell Froom productions of the past twelve years or so leave me cold. But live, Thompson's songs truly come alive. Seeing him play "Vincent Black Lightning 1952" all by himself disproves those ugly rumors that he's really got three hands. And makes me want to sell my guitar in frustration... A new RT album with full band called "Mock Tudor" will be released later this year. Froom only guests on keyboards. It's produced by Tom Rothrock and Rob Schnapf, the two guys are that did the latest Beck and Elliott Smith albums. Not sure what to make of that, actually. And being a Thompson and Fairport Convention fan, those green Ryko jewel cases really do suck. But they always replaced them for me for free. It's been awhile since I tried it, though. Gregg === Gregg Makepeace [EMAIL PROTECTED]
re: Richard Thompson
On Fri, 12 Mar 1999, Gregg Makepeace wrote: A new RT album with full band called "Mock Tudor" will be released later this year. Froom only guests on keyboards. It's produced by Tom Rothrock and Rob Schnapf, the two guys are that did the latest Beck and Elliott Smith albums. Not sure what to make of that, actually. Well I am really really looking forward to that. I am a chicagoan and I would say there are two changings of the guard that I have long ached for 1.) McCaskey get's relieved of his role as GM of the Bears and 2.) that anyone else but Mitchell Froom produce RT. I am really psyched about both of these things happening!! I cannot wait for that record. Oh actually a third thing might be whomever is responsible for that crappy synth/keyboard padding on recent Springsteen cuts be relieved of their producing input. Even if it is Springsteen himself. I swear that is the cheesiest sound in the world. anyway, -jim ps -- I am slowly reversing my opinion of Summerteeth, and What I Believe to where I am loving them instead of liking them. For that matter the Joe Henry is even having its moments. I am glad I am not a record reviewer!! I would have too many regrets . . . or maybe I am just in a good mood 'cause I am leaving for Austin in 10 hours. g
Re: Richard Thompson
I'm wondering, was the infamous Mitchell Froom involved with "Amnesia"? That record, from the mid-80s, began my rewarding acquaintance with Richard Thompson, and spurred met to backtrack to the best record of the A.D. period, "Shoot Out the Lights." OK, I'll put the g? in. Nonetheless, if Froom was involved with Rumour and Sign, or the double record from a couple years ago, or the followup to Rumour and Sigh, then what's the problem? -- Terry Smith
RE: Richard Thompson
-Original Message- I'm happy to see that there are others who rank _Pour Down Like Silver_ above _Shoot Out the Lights_, as I do--not that either record is any too shabby, of course, just that _SOTL_ has always been the consensus critical fave, and _PDLS_ has been unjustly ignored, I think. [Matt Benz] I like Hokey Pokey.
RE: Richard Thompson
It's also worth keeping in mind that RT has denied that any song on _Across a Crowded Room_ is about Linda in any way. He knows best, of course, but anyone who's heard that record can't help thinking that he's not being entirely truthful there (which is his prerogative, of course). "When the Spell Is Broken"? "You Don't Say"? "She Twists the Knife Again"? Sure, he just happened to spin out a string of bitter end-of-love songs shortly after going through a bitter and acrimonious divorce. Right. [Matt Benz] But it *was* Richard who broke up the marriage after meeting another woman, so I'm sure he wasn't the really bitter one.
Re: Richard Thompson
I understand why many people can't stand Fairport, and I understand why people find Thompson's later solo work inconsistent as hell (because it is), but neither of those points discounts the fact that he is perhaps the greatest guitar player in the history of rock. Amy OK, I like to consider myself reasonably open-minded (even though I'm really a cantankerous, walled-off bastard). So, in the spirit of, er, Valentines Day, would anyone on this list care to make me a tape of Thompson cuts that don't fall prey to over-production and do cut to the heart of his genius. (Especially if there's live stuff and big, loud, thundering guitars involved. In my book, this is known as Gd!!). Contact me on or off-list and maybe we can arrange a trade. If he is the mack, then I want in. I'm not promising that I'll traipse in the meadow of goodwill upon hearing the tape, but if I am, indeed, swayed, I will gratefully acknowledge it. Now, as for the greatest guitar player in the history of rock, Amy, that's a MIGHTY heady statement. Don't get me wrong, I like mighty. And heady I'm fine with. But I don't know if anyone will knock James Marshall offa the top of my list. Nevertheless, I welcome the challenge. I mean, opportunity. Lance . . . [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: Richard Thompson
O.K. I'll bite. Richard Linda Thompson, Lupo's, Providence, RI - Shoot Out the Lights Tour, '81/'82?. In spite of having had a HUGE fight before the show (in which Linda reportedly whacked Richard over the head with a bottle, a cut over his eyebrow was visible) the show was phenomenal. I think the fight made every song all the more meaningful, emotional and cutting. Also great was a guitar show at RISD a couple of years before that where RL played in front of about 150 die-hard fans. The man can play, PDLS is gorgeous! Henry the Human Fly will forever be my favorite! K.
Re: Richard Thompson
Jerry Curry wrote: In my opinion, Richard Thompson is one of the most important and influential artists of the late 70's/80's. His swansong albums with Linda: _I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight_ and _Shoot Out the Lights_ are two definite desert island recordings for me. I don't know how influential he was, but he certainly can write a song and play guitar. For the record, "I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight" was Richard and Linda's first album together. I got import copy back in 1974. It remains one of their best, although "Pour Down Like Silver" ain't too shabby. Jim
Re: Richard Thompson
On Fri, 5 Feb 1999, James Nelson wrote: Jerry Curry wrote: In my opinion, Richard Thompson is one of the most important and influential artists of the late 70's/80's. His swansong albums with Linda: _I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight_ and _Shoot Out the Lights_ are two definite desert island recordings for me. I don't know how influential he was, but he certainly can write a song and play guitar. For the record, "I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight" was Richard and Linda's first album together. I got import copy back in 1974. It remains one of their best, although "Pour Down Like Silver" ain't too shabby. People often laud Thompson's "Shoot Out The Lights" as being his best of that period, and maybe that's because it's more of a rock record with folk overtones. But I myself prefer "I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight", which is just about as perfect a blend of folk and rock as has ever been make. And I think the production on both that album and "Pours Down Like Silver" is just fine, myself. Nicely understated, everything sounds "real", tasteful and creative arrangments, etc. etc. One thing's for sure: these weren't no coffee folk records. (Dar Williams, take note). Kip
Re: Richard Thompson
On Fri, 5 Feb 1999, James Nelson wrote: Jerry Curry wrote: In my opinion, Richard Thompson is one of the most important and influential artists of the late 70's/80's. His swansong albums with Linda: _I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight_ and _Shoot Out the Lights_ are two definite desert island recordings for me. I don't know how influential he was, but he certainly can write a song and play guitar. For the record, "I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight" was Richard and Linda's first album together. I got import Yep.I was a bit too fast on the send button and added one additional album to the supposed "swansong" list. Wel, I suppose looking at all the folks that hopped onto _Beat the Retreat_, it makes me think he's pretty respected. Count me in as a huge Linda fan though. Adios..I'll be in LA w/ the Weiss boys part of next week. I'm not sure which is more dangerous: the Nashville goddess contingent or the LA boys. NP: Acoustic Guitar Summit JC
Re: Richard Thompson
[EMAIL PROTECTED] 02/05 2:26 PM Kip wrote: People often laud Thompson's "Shoot Out The Lights" as being his best of that period, and maybe that's because it's more of a rock record with folk overtones. But I myself prefer "I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight", which is just about as perfect a blend of folk and rock as has ever been make. And I think the production on both that album and "Pours Down Like Silver" is just fine, myself. Nicely understated, everything sounds "real", tasteful and creative arrangments, etc. etc. One thing's for sure: these weren't no coffee folk records. How are we defining "that period"? The whole Richard and Linda era? The reason I'm asking is because I hear a huge difference between the stuff they recorded for Island and their later material for Chrysalis and Hannibal. The early records are very folky sounding, more acoustic with lots of tradtional English and Irish influences. When they changed record companies, they noticeably shifted gears. The accordion and fiddle were still there, sometimes, but his guitar playing was way out front. Their last record together, "Shoot Out the Lights," was a great rock record. Too bad they got divorced in the middle of making it. Jim N.
Re: Richard Thompson
Without sounding too crass, can I suggest that the record wouldn't be as great if they hadn't been going through the divorce? "Walking On A Wire" and "Wall of Death" especially seem to be given added depth by the context. I wouldn't wish that fate on anyone, but if it had to happen I'm glad to take the record as fallout. John Magee How are we defining "that period"? The whole Richard and Linda era? The reason I'm asking is because I hear a huge difference between the stuff they recorded for Island and their later material for Chrysalis and Hannibal. The early records are very folky sounding, more acoustic with lots of tradtional English and Irish influences. When they changed record companies, they noticeably shifted gears. The accordion and fiddle were still there, sometimes, but his guitar playing was way out front. Their last record together, "Shoot Out the Lights," was a great rock record. Too bad they got divorced in the middle of making it. Jim N.
Re: Richard Thompson
Richard Thompson has argued that both the writing and recording of SOTL preceded the events that led to the breakup of the marriage, FWIW. On the other hand, the tour to promote the record happened while they were breaking up and apparently was pretty tense. Carl Z. Excerpts from internet.listserv.postcard2: 5-Feb-99 Re: Richard Thompson by "John Magee"@natural.com Without sounding too crass, can I suggest that the record wouldn't be as great if they hadn't been going through the divorce? "Walking On A Wire" and "Wall of Death" especially seem to be given added depth by the context.
Re: Richard Thompson
Carl Abraham Zimring wrote: Richard Thompson has argued that both the writing and recording of SOTL preceded the events that led to the breakup of the marriage, FWIW. On the other hand, the tour to promote the record happened while they were breaking up and apparently was pretty tense. I have a tape of a concert they did on that last tour. I haven't listened to it in years but I recall it being a very weird listening experience. Lots of onstage bickering. Jim Nelson
Re: Richard Thompson
Jerry Curry put down his old Nektar albums long enough to post: In my opinion, Richard Thompson is one of the most important and influential artists of the late 70's/80's. His swansong albums with Linda: _I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight_ and _Shoot Out the Lights_ are two definite desert island recordings for me. NP: Freedy Johnston - This Perfect World Once again, Jerry Curry proves that him and I were separated at birth. It makes sense that Lance wouldn't like the Airplane or Fairport since early Fairport was just basically modeled after the Airplane and and other West Coast Rockers of the era. Folks like Thompson, Denny and especially Ashley "Tiger" Hutchings just eventually steered it away from the American singer-songwriter influences towards the trad British folk ballad route for parts of "Unhalfbricking" and all of "Liege and Lief." And don't forget the incredible violin of Dave Swarbrick, which paved the way for Jean Luc Ponty, which cleared the way for the Dave Mathews Band, which I believe is some sort of bland jam-rock... ;-) Actually, catch Thompson live sometime. Incredible on both acoustic and electric. Makes me want to sell my guitars because there's no way I could ever come close to making them sound so wonderful. And there's no awful producer schlubbing up the great songs (read: Mitchell Froom). Junior's take on "From Galway to Graceland" is right on; and don't forget "1952 Vincent Black Lightning." You'd swear there were three different guitarists playing it until you see him do it live. Gregg n.p. - Dan Fogelberg - Twin Sons of Different Mothers ;-) === Gregg Makepeace Unigraphics Solutions, Inc. Documentation Coordination phone: (714)952-6279 email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
