Richard & Linda Thompson: I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight CD Track Listing

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Richard & Linda Thompson I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight (1974)
I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight (Remastered + Expanded)\n2004 Universal Island Records Ltd.\nRichard Thompson & Linda Thompson\n\nOriginally Released April 1974\nCD Edition Released March 1990 or July 1, 1991\nRemastered + Expanded CD Edition Released September 28, 2004\n\nAMG EXPERT REVIEW: In 1974, Richard Thompson and the former Linda Peters released their first album together, and I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight was nothing short of a masterpiece, the starkly beautiful refinement of the promise of the Thompsons' solo debut, Henry the Human Fly. In Linda Thompson, Richard found a superb collaborator and a world-class vocalist; Linda possessed a voice as clear and rich as Sandy Denny's, but with a strength that could easily support Richard's often weighty material, and she proved capable of tackling anything presented to her, from the delicately mournful "Has He Got a Friend for Me" to the gleeful cynicism of "The Little Beggar Girl." And while Richard had already made clear that he was a songwriter to be reckoned with, on I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight he went from strength to strength. While the album's mood is decidedly darker than anything he'd recorded before, the sorrow of "Withered and Died," "The End of the Rainbow," and "The Great Valerio" spoke not of self-pity but of the contemplation of life's cruelties by a man who, at 25, had already been witness to more than his share. And though Richard didn't give himself a guitar showcase quite like "Roll Over Vaughn Williams" on Henry the Human Fly, the brilliant solos that punctuated many of the songs were manna from heaven for any guitar enthusiast. While I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight may be the darkest music of Richard & Linda Thompson's career, in this chronicle of pain and longing they were able to forge music of striking and unmistakable beauty; if the lyrics often ponder the high stakes of our fate in this life, the music offered a glimpse of the joys that make the struggle worthwhile. [2004's deluxe edition of the album included three previously unreleased live tracks, as well as expanded packaging and a full lyric sheet.] -- Mark Deming\n\nAmazon.com essential recording\nHindsight confirms this as a British folk rock classic, but the studio debut for Fairport Convention alumnus Richard Thompson and then-bride Linda Peters Thompson was passed over for stateside issue upon its release in 1974. Granted its stubborn penchant for framing Thompson's arch broadsides, ballads, and rockers with silver horns, concertina, and pre-industrial imagery took these songs way out of contention with the rock fare of the day, Bright Lights survives as a stunning introduction to the Thompsons' remarkable music. The set also offers a primer on Richard's understated brilliance as both electric and acoustic guitarist (and no mean hand on mandolin). His spidery Stratocaster jigs and reels with a vinous sting, and, on the ear-tweaking "The Calvary Cross," offers a position paper on the rudiments of a style that would influence guitarists on both sides of the pond. Like the Band's Robbie Robertson, Thompson harnesses a tough rock attack to a rootsy folk intelligence that has since bubbled up in the playing of successors including Mark Knopfler, sounding timeless and contemporary with every string-bending flourish. --Sam Sutherland \n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nBreathtaking, somber, dark, powerful, November 24, 2001\nReviewer: "philosoph123" (Manhattan)\nI feel that this is the best single album of one of the finest overall songwriters of the modern era. Where to begin? At the end...the final two songs, "End of the Rainbow" and "The Great Valerio" are a beautiful, dark, ending to this album, possibly the most perfect ending to any album. The music is stripped of frills, reflecting despair without entering into self-pity. There is a feeling of being alone and without purpose, with no hope for this to change; this is our condition, not some malleable situation. How perfect is this: "Life seems so rosy in the cradle/But take a look outside your nursery door/There's nothing at the end of the rainbow/There's nothing to grow up for anymore" It is the realization of the tragedy that our lives must be if there is nothing beyond it. It is the conviction of a man who cannot see beyond the horrors of his own life. \nThere are MANY other great songs on this disk: "Calvary Cross", "Down Where the Drunkards Roll" and the title track all spring to mind. There is not a dud in the collection. Richard shows himself a superlative songwriter and an excellent guitarist, and Linda's haunting vocals are beautifully suited to his work (although Richard's vocals on "End of the Rainbow" are also perfect). I have never heard a 'perfect' album, but this album has certain strengths that make it something sui generis.\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nBright Star, July 12, 2001\nReviewer: Thomas Magnum (NJ, USA)\nRichard Thompson had left the seminal British folk group Fairport Convention in 1970 and had foundered around for a couple of years when he was introduced to Linda Peters by Fairport's vocalist Sandy Denny. Sparks flew between the two and they were married. The coupling spurred Mr. Thompson into the studio to create his stirring debut. Originally released in 1974, the album never caught on in the US and wasn't released until 1976. The album showcases his understated grace as a guitarist. Adept at flicking off lines on the electric guitar, his real genius flows from the acoustic guitar. The title track is an amazing piece of music, with Ms. Thompson assuming the pose of a street walker. The song is foreboding and yet uplifting at the same time. "Down Where The Drunkards Roll" is a folky triumph that is full of Celtic doom. I Want To See The Bright Lights was and never has been a commercial success, but if you are looking for something new and different, give it a listen.\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nA flawless masterpiece, July 23, 1998\nReviewer: A music fan\nOne of those very rare albums in which not a single track is less than brilliant, not a single lyric is less than profound, and not a single false note is heard. Absolutely stunning in all levels of execution, this is a album of such sheer beauty and eloquence it has to rank as the single greatest injustice in the music world that it isn't a household name.\nThe last word in music begins here.\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nOne of the two great albums recorded by Richard and Linda, June 18, 1998\nReviewer: A music fan\nEqual parts english plainsong, rock and roll, Dickensian cynicism, celtic drizzle, and black humor, this is perhaps the most mature example of British folk-rock. Richard's song's have a timeless feel about them, and his guitar playing is by turns lyrical and stinging. Linda's singing is as perfectly plaintive as a lonely bagpipe. Richard has an uncanny way of making desperation seem fun: "When I Get to the Border" is as good a song about death as has ever been written, while "We Sing Hallelujah" is a good-natured elbow to the ribs of the human condition.\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nFirst in a series of classic albums by Richard & Linda, February 16, 2006\nReviewer: Wayne Klein "Wayne Klein" (Fairfield, CA United States)\nThompson's first album with wife Linda listed as a full partner, "I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight" remains one of his best albums. From the stunning opening track "When I Get to the Border" it was clear that Thompson found a perfect partner to harmonize with. Linda's clear, crisp voice accented Richard's gruffer one. Linda sings "Has He Got a Friend for Me" with just the right mournful tone and perfectly captures the mood of the song. The remastering on this edition is quite good. We get lyrics and a brief essay on their musical partnership during this time. \n\nThe bonus tracks are all terrific but they do spoil the mood of the album. The first one is the title track played live and it begins right after "The Great Valerio". I'm not sure who sequenced these tracks for remastering but they should have had at least 30 seconds between the last track and the beginning of the bonus material. "Together Again" also recorded live is a terrific performance but the keeper here is "The Calvary Cross" with a blistering performance by Thompson on guitar. All three tracks are previously unreleased. \n\nIf you purchased this album previously on CD (or vinyl) it's worth the upgrade for the bonus tracks. \n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nSublime, February 21, 2005\nReviewer: Trismegistos (Oslo, Norway)\nIn our age of hyped-up folkrock artists like Ryan Adams and Bright Eyes, it is a real eye-opener to listen to this album. The music lingers in the borderland between traditional english and american music, giving it a really original flavour. \n\nThe opener, the transcendent "When I get to the border" is probably the best "new"(to me) song I've heard so far this year, totally unpretentious and original and free. Like Bob Dylan, Richard Thompson attempts & fails to conceal an amazing personality and individuality which seeps through every breath of his vocal work. The same goes for the rest of the album. \n\nLinda's vocals are a little less original, but more than adequate compared to other singers, and anyway, the imperfections of this album adds up to become perfection as a whole.The title song, for example: A rambunctious, messy, drunken, glorious thing, complete with a marching band and a primitive bassline, totally irresistible. If you've heard "The basement tapes", you'll know what I mean. \n\nStrongly recommended.\n\nHalf.com Details \nProducer: John Wood, Richard Thompson \n\nAlbum Notes\nPersonnel: Richard Thompson (vocals, guitar); Linda Thompson (vocals); Simon Nicol (dulcimer); Brian Gulland, Richard Harvey (krummhorn); John Kirkpatrick (concertina, accordion); Pat Donaldson (bass); Timi Donald (drums); Royston Wood, Trevor Lucas (background vocals).\n\nRecorded at Sound Techniques Studio, London, England.\n\nThe debut album from Richard and Linda started a career that has placed Thompson in the 'forever to be a huge cult figure' bracket. They did everything on this album, bar make the charts and sell records. Folk, rock, country and pop are brilliantly covered in a tasteful and controlled package that is a delight from beginning to end, with Linda singing beautifully. Concert favourites such as 'The Calvary Cross' and 'When I Get To The Border' are to be found here. It is not flippant to say that Richard Thompson is a world class songwriter and guitarist, albeit totally under-appreciated.\n\nIndustry Reviews\nIncluded in Q Magazine's Best Folk Albums of All Time - ...confirmed Richard Thompson as the authentic voice of English music....The fearless use of seemingly incompatible instruments...provided a compelling backdrop for Linda's bruised voice and rarely has misery sounded so persuasive.\nQ (11/01/1999)\n\n4.5 out of 5 stars - ...Captures all the intensity that made their work together so gripping, so full of possibility and so impossible to sustain.\nRolling Stone (07/05/2001)\n\n4.5 out of 5 stars - ...Captures all the intensity that made their work together so gripping, so full of possibility and so impossible to sustain.Q (11/99, p.163) - Included in Q Magazine's Best Folk Albums of All Time - ...confirmed Richard Thompson as the authentic voice of English music....The fearless use of seemingly incompatible instruments...provided a compelling backdrop for Linda's bruised voice and rarely has misery sounded so persuasive.\nRolling Stone (07/05/2001)\n\n[S]eductively bleak...
This folk cd contains 13 tracks and runs 53min 26sec.
Freedb: b30c840d

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