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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Complementing Richard and Linda's Stellar Library, June 20, 2000
This review is from: First Light (Audio CD)
Probably the worst person to review a Richard and LindaThompson album is an ardent Richard and Linda fan (likemyself). Devoted followers either compare the release to the dagger-through-the-heart benchmark `Shoot Out The Lights,' or paint the album with a broad Richard and Linda Midas brush (everything that they touch turns to gold). Although next to impossible, I'm going to try to be objective, and not allow the previous criteria to cloud my mind. The vocal arrangements, provided by a choir of more than a dozen English folk-rock luminaries, are rich and glorious (Sweet Surrender, Strange Affair, House Of Cards). The star here is not Richard, but Linda. Her solo ballad `Sweet Surrender' is gently melodic and heart-warming. And her interpretation of the fatalistic tale of love (Died For Love) is convincing and intense. Linda's most vivid performance is `Pavanne:' her comely voice perfectly contradicts Richard's harrowing lyrical narrative. She even manages to upstage Richard on the soothing duet `First Light.' For compelling songwriting, `Strange Affair' is an affectionate and mystical look at death. Despite the album's captivating lyrics, intriguing song structures and beautiful harmonies; there is trouble in paradise. The guitar introduction (The Choice Wife) of `Died For Love' is self-indulgent and just too long. `Layla' is a weak and uninspired rocker (the off-key chorus is horrid). `House Of Cards' contains a dramatic and luscious chorus, but the structure is simplistic and repetitive. In summary, `First Light' beats the pants off ninety-percent of everything in the folk-rock genre. For fans, it will complement (rather than distract from) Richard and Linda's stellar library. First-time listeners will be elated. Besides, musical perfection is a never ending goal.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Solid if uneven effort from the Thompsons, March 12, 2006
This review is from: First Light (Audio CD)
After not having recorded for three years (Thompson lived in a Sufi commune during this time), Thompson returned after discovering that he couldn't give up making music. Although a bit uneven, "First Light" has a number of delightful Thompson songs on them. "Restless Highway" is the closest to a mainstream single with its catchy riff and melody. "Sweet Surrender" is probably one of the weaker tracks on the album with a nice vocal from Linda the highlight of the song. "Don't Let a Thief Steal into Your Heart" is a marvelous tune undone by the slick arrangements. "The Choice Wife" a traditional song that Thompson has played on and off throughout his career is nicely performed here. "Died for Love" features a memorable performance by Linda and a lovely arrangement particularly for the backing vocals. "Strange Affair" suffers from an overly slick arrangement and playing. "Layla" (as has been previously noted) is not the Derek and the Dominos song but is based on the same folktale. Despite it's upbeat arrangement it's not all that memorable. The sad "Pavanne" based on a dream that Linda Thompson had and has a lovely melody in addition to its very sad poignant delivery and lyric. "House of Cards" isn't as bad as its made out to be;despite a turgid arrangement Richard's vocal is quite good. The country influenced "First Light" has another lovely vocal from Linda and the arrangement is stately.
Hopefully Richard (who owns the master recordings)will reissue this so that fans won't have to pay the outrageous prices listed here for the release. It's a solid album (although Thompson views it otherwise--he believes it's his worst album which it may be but his worst is better than most people)that could stand to be reissued with a second disc of demos, live recordings (particularly for some of the better songs here that aren't arranged to their full potential). Perhaps Thompson will license it along with the underrated "Sunnyvista" for reissue available at his website at some future date. This is probably Richard and Linda Thompson's least essential album.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Underrated, June 17, 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: First Light (Audio CD)
Richard and Linda's fourth album together clearly did not live up to the standards of the first three ("I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight," "Hokey Pokey," and "Pour Down Like Silver") and as a result it is frequently dismissed as an inconsequential and insubstantial part of the their catalog. This is unfair, because for all its weaknesses, this is still a good album. True, the production indicates an attempt to "cash in" on the west coast commercial fare of the period (late 1970's) but even it can't distract from songs like "Strange Affair," "Layla" (no, not a cover of the Clapton song) and the glorious title track which alone is worth the price of admission.
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