On the Shelf 150: Richard Thompson
Since the summer of 1993, I have been a Richard Thompson fan. It was that summer as my teenage years were coming to an end, that I discovered "Shoot Out the Lights". That classic album was one I played almost every day that summer (The The's "Dusk" and 10,000 Maniacs "Our Time in Eden" were other soundtracks to that summer).
Looking for more Thompson, I snatched up Thompson's other 1990s albums and have a special place for them. Indeed, I think rather highly of the otherwise unloved "You? Me? Us?"
Thompson is one of the few artists alive that seems to be consistent in his quality, even as prolific as he is, and diverse as his career goes. So, I should say I have been a fan of recent discs like "Sweet Warrior" and "Electric". That said, Thompson has been doing his thing for so long (of course, I have since gone back to all the essential discs in his history)and is still so good at what he does, that we take him for granted.
Much has been made of this album which finds him collaborating with Wilco's Jeff Tweedy, insomuch Tweedy produces and plays on this album.
Sometimes, reviewers overplay the impact of such personnel changes, but I do have to say something on this. I do feel like the arrival of Tweedy has brought out something new in Thompson. It feels like it brings out the elements of Thompson that appeal to rock ears.
Thompson's lyrical prowess has not faded in recent years, but it should also be noted, that he has some great lyrical moments here too.
In which case, I feel like I should make some mention of the new album Still, since sometimes Thompson flies under the radar, and this is a disc that should appeal to many.
The album ends with a song called "Guitar Heroes" which is more of a joke than a serious statement. Still, it's a pretty good one. It feels like something out of a Thompson live show. I think everybody should hear it at least once, especially music geeks.
Looking for more Thompson, I snatched up Thompson's other 1990s albums and have a special place for them. Indeed, I think rather highly of the otherwise unloved "You? Me? Us?"
Thompson is one of the few artists alive that seems to be consistent in his quality, even as prolific as he is, and diverse as his career goes. So, I should say I have been a fan of recent discs like "Sweet Warrior" and "Electric". That said, Thompson has been doing his thing for so long (of course, I have since gone back to all the essential discs in his history)and is still so good at what he does, that we take him for granted.
Much has been made of this album which finds him collaborating with Wilco's Jeff Tweedy, insomuch Tweedy produces and plays on this album.
Sometimes, reviewers overplay the impact of such personnel changes, but I do have to say something on this. I do feel like the arrival of Tweedy has brought out something new in Thompson. It feels like it brings out the elements of Thompson that appeal to rock ears.
Thompson's lyrical prowess has not faded in recent years, but it should also be noted, that he has some great lyrical moments here too.
In which case, I feel like I should make some mention of the new album Still, since sometimes Thompson flies under the radar, and this is a disc that should appeal to many.
The album ends with a song called "Guitar Heroes" which is more of a joke than a serious statement. Still, it's a pretty good one. It feels like something out of a Thompson live show. I think everybody should hear it at least once, especially music geeks.
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