Dreams Fly Away: A History Of Linda Thompson

Linda Thompson | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 2, 1996)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Hannibal
• ASIN: B00000062E
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #144,531 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Lonely Hearts

2. Walking on a Wire [#]

3. I Live Not Where I Love

4. Sometimes It Happens [#]

5. For Shame of Doing Wrong

6. Talking Like A Man [Remixed B Side]

7. Sisters

8. Shay Fan Yan Ley

9. One Clear Moment [Remix]

10. First Light [#][Demo Version]

11. Pavanne [Live][#]

12. Many Dreams Must Fly Away [#][Demo Version]

13. I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight

14. The Great Valerio [Live][#]

15. Insult to Injury [#][Demo Version]

16. The Poor Boy Is Taken Away

17. Blackwaterside [#]

18. Telling Me Lies

19. I'm a Dreamer [#]

20. Dimming of the Day [#]

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful blend of rock and folk, October 28, 2004

By 

Pieter "Toypom" (Johannesburg) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Dreams Fly Away: A History Of Linda Thompson (Audio CD)

This compilation showcases Linda Thompson's monumental contribution to rock and folk music from 1973 to 1988. It contains 10 previously unreleased songs, including four duets with Richard Thompson: live versions of Pavanne, The Great Valerio, Walking On A Wire produced by Gerry Rafferty plus a demo of First Light. My favourites include her interpretations of Sandy Denny's I'm A Dreamer and the old standard Blackwaterside plus her solo version of Dimming Of The Day. And the beautiful track Sisters and the yearning I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight. With Richard, Linda was an originator of a seamless blend of rock and folk. Dreams Fly Away proves her prowess as an emotive vocalist and her great achievement as a musician. These timeless songs with their poignant words and gripping melodies will never fail to move the serious music lover. The classy CD packaging contains witty and informative historical notes by Linda. I also recommend the classic albums Pour Down Like Silver and Shoot Out The Lights, for more of Linda and Richard's exquisite and memorable music.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars No dimming of her talent, April 10, 2003

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: Dreams Fly Away: A History Of Linda Thompson (Audio CD)

Richard is the better known and much more prolific of the former duo, but Linda's voice and presence make any recording she works on worthwhile. Dreams Fly Away consists of a mixture of previously released tracks (from her work with her former husband), live recordings, remixes (the remixes of the One Clear Moment tracks are an actual improvement. The annoying echo producer Hugh Murphy put on her vocals is much less noticable if not altogether gone) and demos.

The notes and interviews are interesting and provide a unique perspective on Linda and her step out of the limelight. Her medical condition has obviously been overcome to some extent (her latest marvelous album is ironically titled Fashionably Late)but, for a while, this was the last word on Linda's music. While Linda may have been Richard's muse for a brief period and his voice for a number of their classics, she deserves recognition as an artist in her own right. This collection puts things right.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great one, December 15, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Dreams Fly Away: A History Of Linda Thompson (Audio CD)

I usually don't buy compilations - to me, most are merely commercial and do not break any new ground. Well, here's a noticeable exception. Dreams fly away has a great selection of tracks, and it's very well designed. Sisters and Lonely hearts (from Richard & Linda Thompson's Sunnyvista) are remarkable in every way. Lonely hearts, in particular, has the greatest opening words I've ever heard. I could do without the (slightly) irritating backing vocals - she has a great presence and doesn't need anybody else - but why, nobody's perfect. I'm not going to quibble.
Another favourite of mine is the cover of Sandy Denny's I'm a dreamer - it's really, really great, and so is the Dimming of the day.
As to the live versions of Pavane or the Great Valerio, I think they are weaker than the original studio releases, but still very emotional. She sounds so tense on stage it almost makes us uncomfortable.
I'm glad that, on the whole, I wasn't disappointed by this release. Before I got it, I had hardly ever heard of Linda Thompson. The fact is, I went for Dreams fly away after hearing her cover a traditionnal song on a Simon Nicol solo album. I was stunned by what I heard and decided at once to go for more - that's how I picked this one.
I think she's really a great singer. I mean, when she sings, it's as if she's walking on a wire - she's likely to fall any minute, and her voice may break into a hundred of pieces. I find that truly amazing.
Another enjoyable thing about the record is the inner sleeve. She wrote funny and wistful notes for the songs, and Richard Williams did a nice job too, summing up the ups and downs of her intermittent musical career (I think she would resent the word "career" !).
To make it short, Dreams fly away is a wonderful document to her contribution .. and a welcome addition to my Cds collection.