Daring Adventures [Import, Original recording remastered]

Richard Thompson | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 15, 2002)
• Original Release Date: 1986
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import, Original recording remastered
• Label: Bgo - Beat Goes on
• ASIN: B00002475S
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #127,162 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. A Bone Through Her Nose

2. Valerie

3. Missie How You Let Me Down

4. Dead Man's Handle

5. Long Dead Love

6. Lover's Lane

7. Nearly In Love

8. Jennie

9. Baby Talk

10. Cash Down Never Never

11. How Will I Ever Be Simple Again

12. Al Bowlly's In Heaven

Editorial Reviews

1986 album produced by Mitchell Froom. Froom replaced Thompson's usual rhythm section with top-shelf session players Jerry Scheff on bass and Mickey Curry on drums plus Jim Keltner on three cuts.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Al Bowlly, September 22, 2004

By 

John Stodder "a.k.a. Juan La Princi" (livin' just enough) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Daring Adventures (Audio CD)

This album is a fine one overall, but it is worth getting primarily so you can listen to the classic "Al Bowlly's in Heaven." A raging protest, an evocative history lesson, a haunting melody, a late-night foxtrot...this is simply one of the greatest songs ever written and performed by a guitar slinger. Thompson's dolorous singing style fits it perfectly. This song should be taught in poetry classes.

The Thompson fan base looks at this as one of Richard's periodic attempts to "go commercial." Perhaps so. "Valerie" is the kind of fast-rocking song I would like to hear on the radio but never do. Whatever the sales strategy of this album was, "Al Bowlly..." makes this a timeless disk.

(There's another great version of this song, by the way, on the three-disc "Watching the Dark" set. It's live, and also wonderful.)

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Improvement on the original, November 21, 2001

By 

WTDK "If at first the idea is not absurd, the... (My Little Blue Window, USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Daring Adventures (Audio CD)

Limbo. It seems to occupy a large part of Richard Thompson's musical landscape. Most of Thompson's characters are lost in one way or another and looking for redemption. Dangerous Adventures isn't Thompson at his best but it has a number of moments that are the equal of his best material. This remastered edition (it was actually remastered in 1992 by BGO Records for UK release despite the 2001 release date)is a huge sonic step forward for this underrated and flawed--but fascinating--album.

Valerie is the radio friendly hit that Thompson should have had. The only other person to think so was Marshall Crenshaw which is probably why he did his terrific remake. Thompson's flawed albums are even more fascinating than his perfect ones. Shoot Out the Lights is a towering achievement. This doesn't measure up to that skyscraper but as a coda of sorts it's fascinating. SOTL is paraphrased throughout (in the case of Dead Man's Hammer Thompson actually cops the basic melody and chords from his own Wall of Death). Lyrically DA recalls SOTL and AACR with it's bruised lyrics and sly sarcasm. Clearly the topic still wasn't out of Thompson's system and his divorce from Linda Thompson weighed heavily on his mind (or so it seems anyway).

While this wasn't the immediate follow up to SOTL, it's clearly the other half of the bookend to that period of Thompson's life. Across A Crowded Room and this album would have made a perfect double album follow up to SOTL. Thompson's written many brilliant songs but the sublime How Will I Be Simple Again and moving Al Bowlly's in Heaven rank among his finest work. Add the instant classics Nearly in Love (which if it hadn't been written by Thompson certainly would have been by Harry Nilsson. Nilsson may not be stylistically similar to Thompson but they share a kindred spirit).

Anyhow, this is a fine album. DA is less bitter and sad(is thee any Thompson album without a touch of sadness and bitterness)than Across a Crowded Room but just barely. What's interesting is the commerical production touches Mitchell Froom adds to the album. While Thompson's music has always been tuneful with intricate, interesting melodies, Froom adds a sheen that makes this sound almost radio ready. In an ideal world, this album would have been a top 10 hit. Sadly, we don't live in that world. Just take a look at albums released around the same time that made the top ten. Half of them won't be remembered by anyone. This album with all its flaws is almost as memorable as Shoot Out the Lights or Henry The Human Fly.

By the way the sticker on the front says that all the original artwork has been restored (yes, that's true but the original graphics were on the first CD issue as well) and includes liner notes (no, there isn't any at all).

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars See Richard live/daring adventures abound, February 21, 2003

By 

William Devries (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Daring Adventures (Audio CD)

Having seen Richard play live shows going back to Fairport's U.S. appearances backing Traffic, I now look forward to the fact that (since the mid 80's release of "DA") there is always at least one song from "Daring" on his play list. I get the feeling that each of these songs are among his personal favorites. Although nothing can substitute for a few hours with Mr. Thompson in a small venue, there is absolute beauty in these tracks. "Missy", "Lover's Lane", "Jennie" and "Al Bowley" will haunt your musical dreams. But please do yourself a favor and get out and support this true troubadour. He is remarkable as a live performer. Bless his dervish celtic soul.