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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Austin City Limits tends to bring out the best in the musicians it showcases, and Richard Thompson is the sort of artist that the series reveres most. The veteran British folk-rock troubadour remains an instrumental virtuoso, a soulful singer, and a songwriter whose depth and emotional complexity rival Dylan's. This 15-song set provides neither a career-spanning retrospective nor a greatest-hits rehash, as Thompson's selection of some of his lesser-known material shows that he's incapable of writing a throwaway. The rhythm section of bassist Danny Thompson and drummer Michael Jerome gives his guitar plenty of room to maneuver on the acoustic numbers that dominate the performance before the set builds to the electrifying climax of the lacerating "She Twists the Knife Again" and the explosive "Shoot Out the Lights." On "Uninhabited Man," Thomspon combines a guitar progression that recalls the Byrds with a lyric that gives a sinister twist to the tale of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, while the pensive, sinuous "Ghosts in the Wind" extends his exploration into the recesses of the psyche. Though Thompson's droll humor typically provides a change-of-pace respite from the dark intensity of his material, this disc edits out all the between-song patter in favor of more music. --Don McLeese
Recommended Richard Thompson Discography
Product Description
The show features Danny Thompson on bass and Michael Jerome on drums, released by New West Records.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A lively, muscular sesson,
By
This review is from: Live From Austin Tx (Dig) (Audio CD)
I think nearly everyone has heard a Richard Thompson recording, seen him in concert, or both, so many folks may bypass "Live from Austin, TX," figuring why do I need this one? To do so would be a mistake, even for those with a stack of Mr. Thompson's CDs.
This performance, which was recorded live to tape for the "Austin City Limits" PBS show, features songs from throughout Mr. Thompson's long and steady career, some of which are not as well known as the tracks 1952 Vintage Black Lightning or Shoot Out the Lights. But throughout, Mr. Thompson brandishes his guitars like a weapon, ripping off searing solos or letting his fingers do the talking to convey emotional nuances. He is equally adroit on his vocals, conveying pain, adding a dash of humor, underscoring a turn of events with a bit of a sneer or a sustained note. Every track has its merits and its own story, from the self-effacing Walking the Long Miles Home to the undeterred love-struck soul in Persuasion. Hearing Mr. Thompson take an image, such as the jackknifed truck in Easy There, Steady Now, and using that as metaphor for lost love makes one appreciate what a fine writer he is. The angst that builds through She Twists the Knife Again mercifully culminates into a fiery guitar finale, making one wonder if the strings are infused with magnesium. Much of Mr. Thompson's work is as a solo artist, and while that work is enduring, hearing this collection performed with the excellent rhythm section of Danny Thompson on bass and Michael Jerome on drums is a revelation. This trio of veteran musicians never sounds at cross purposes but displays a subtle interplay equally effective with on the jazzy Al Bowling's in Heaven or the punchy rocker Crawl Back (Under My Stone). The sound quality is excellent, but Mr. Thompson's typical onstage banter (if you have seen him live, you know what I mean) and enough of the applause has been snipped out---which I think improves the overall flow and energy of this lively, muscular session.
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Close, but not quite,
By
This review is from: Live From Austin Tx (Dig) (Audio CD)
Like my friend Loce, I know most folks reading this have seen RT at least once and own one or more of the innumerable live recordings available. I have that heap at home as well, with glorious performances to be found all over. My favorite grouping has been the Danny, Pete and Michael foursome. Pete and Danny's musicianship is well known, but Michael is a fearsome percussionist, but that potency is often not as evident as it is on stage.
But this threesome (no Pete) creates a very attractive sound, a jazzier, more intimate tone, with a clearly audible and ferocious bass and brilliant drumming throughout. So the performances are nicely done. And the songlist is a winner. So, where's that fifth star? Ah...I just can't do it. Somehow the verve, the intensity, the charge, the fire, the rawness of a live Richard Thompson show is missing. Everything sounds good, as it always does, yet somehow it's not as strong as Two Letter Words, which is my favorite of the live sets. Many pleasures to be had, but somehow missing that last ounce of electricity.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Click the 'Buy' button! This is RT at his best!,
By
This review is from: Live From Austin Tx (Dig) (Audio CD)
This is rapidly becoming my favorite of all Richard Thompson's CDs. Of course, I will be listening to many of the others often, but as for pure enjoyment on many levels, this one is the one I grab first. The material is not new but the interpretations often are unique in the way that only live concerts can bring out. I do not find a weak song on the disc - each in some ways spotlights Thompson's multifaceted skills as a consummate composer, lyricist, guitarist and, yes, vocalist. (For some, Richard's voice lacks the control or perfection of a great singer, but this CD shows off his ability to communicate and connect with his voice equally as well as his guitar.)
Add to this the Austin City Limits venue and excellent musicians to surround Thompson, and you have the potential for a great CD. Whether better known songs such as `Shoot Out The Lights' or `1952 Vincent Black Lightening' or lesser known (to me, at least) songs like `Walking the Long Miles Home', the remarkable `Ghosts in the Wind' or haunting juxtaposition of foot-tapping music with the dark lyrics of `Al Bowlly's in Heaven', Richard Thompson is at his best. To cap it off, the recording quality is outstanding, capturing the venue and the musicians in a way that will tax many audio systems to do it justice. Whether its the hard-edged guitar work on songs like `Shoot Out the Lights' or the remarkably subtle fingerings that often float in the background, barely audible, Richard's guitar simply sings. And Danny Thompson's bass, which often takes a lead role showcases his talent and, to a remarkable degree, accurately captures a very natural sounding bass in a way that is rare. One example amongst many is DT's bass on `Mingus Eyes' where his bass punctuates throughout with the `fat' sound and authority you usually only hear in a live performance, not on CDs. (BTW, I don't mean to slight Jerome's percussion - it is just that the guitar and bass performances are really the driving elements and they are captured wonderfully.) Excellent compositions, lyrics, performances and a recording quality to match, this is a top notch Thompson CD!
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