Customer Reviews

Live From Austin Tx (Dig)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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!

Richard Thompson has been one of the most consistant performers of the rock era. He has been writing and recording quality material since his days in Fairport Convention in the late sixties, through to OLD KIT BAG released in 2003 (and no doubt has more up his sleeve). An excellent, literate songwriter and an otherworldly talent on guitar, his catalog is studded with numerous classics and nothing that can be considered less than good.

This live reording, from the PBS series Austin City Limits, shows Thompson as a bracing live performer. The set from his tour of a few years ago, focuses on selection from his then current album MOCK TUDOR as well as some older chesnuts as the great SHOOT OUT THE LIGHTS, AL BOWLYS IN HEAVEN and MINGUS EYES.

The only thing that keeps this from being a 5 star recording is a scarcity of the guitar pyrotechnics that Richard is capable of delivering. Outside of a fierce version of SHOOT OUT THE LIGHTS, Thompson plays it relativley low key on the six string. This sets seems to focus more on Richard Thompson the singer songwriter and less on his mindwarping guitar prowess, which a live recording could and should highlight. I may note that low key for Richard Thompson could be career highlights for other artists however. His subtle, but still spectacular playing and supurb interacton with the great Danny Thompson (bass) and Mike Jerome (drums) is certainly worthwhile and rewarding. The one thing that strikes me most is that Thompson has become an excellent vocalist. Originally, this was one of his weak points as an artist, but over the years he has added power and nuance to his singing that adds even more depth to his already striking material.

All in all, this is a recording that should please most Thompson fans, perhaps convert a couple of the curious, but in the end, not win him the acclaim that he has earned from his storied career.

Thompson is probably one of the most famous cult favorites in popular music. With dozens of albums in his catalog (solo, with then-wife Linda, and with Fairport Convention), he's been lauded far and wide for his guitar playing and songwriting, and his songs have been the subject of two full tribute albums. His idiosyncratic convergence of British folk traditions and American rock 'n' roll has found favor among a broad audience of folk, pop, rock and country enthusiasts.

This latest volume of the "Live From Austin, TX" series captures Thompson and accompanists (Michael Jerome on drums and Danny Thompson on upright bass) as recorded for the U.S. television program "Austin City Limits." The original half-hour TV edit is extended to 79 minutes on CD, and to the entire 87-minute performance on DVD. Unlike the live discs Thompson's offered through his own website, this set captures a single performance arc, showing off not just the singer, songwriter and guitarist, but the showman.

The set kicks off with the rousing "Cooksferry" before settling in to the somber "Uninhabited Man." The trio resonates with jazz-like interplay across fifteen (sixteen on DVD) titles drawn in large part from 1999's "Mock Tudor," and dating back as early as 1982's "Shoot Out the Lights" and 1984's "She Twists the Knife Again." The quality of Thompson's songs remains uniformly high between Thompson's most well-known tunes ("1952 Vincent Black Lightning," who's introductory guitar gains a cheer from the audience) and most obscure (the soundtrack composition, "Mr. Rebound").

Neither a career overview, nor a greatest-hits volume, this is still a good place to get a sense of Thompson's art, and an enchanting opportunity for fans to spend some quality time with their hero. DVD notes: soundtrack provided in stereo, DTS and Dolby 5.1.surround, and the set's 8-minute closing track "Put it There Pal" is included on DVD but not on CD. 4-1/2 stars, if allowed fractional ratings. [©2005 hyperbolium dot com]

A Richard Thompson live recording is a wonderful thing to behold, er, listen to. This is the first live CD in trio format, i.e. no Peter Zorn, so it has a slightly sparser sound that allows attention to be played to RT's guitar, or the so-solid rhythm section. The band is tight; the solgs well-delivered.

What I especially appreciated about this disc was getting first-time live verisons of "Walking The Long Miles Home," "Dry My Tears," "Mr. Rebound," and "Persuasion" with RT only on vocals. My only criticism is I would have not have sacrificed the liver version of "Put It There Pal" especially since we have live verisons of some other songs. But, it's a slight criticism...maybe for the boxed set??? Please???

For some people Richard Thompson is a religion. While I wouldn't go that far, I humbly suggest he's one of the finest songwriters and guitarists of his generation. This terrific live album recorded for Austin City Limits features Thompson supported by bassist Danny Thompson and drummer Michael Jerome paging through the Thompson songbook. To call this concert laid back is deceptive--I don't think Thompson could possibly do a laid back show--but it is a bit more relaxed than some of his other shows available on CD (some of them are available at Richard's website). Sometimes it seems as if Thompson fans will buy just about anything this guy puts out (myself included)so it's a good thing that he only puts out quality material.

Consisting of material from the tour for the "Action Packed" best of compilation of his Capitol recordings, the song selection jumps around covering older classics ("Shoot Out the Lights", "Ghost in the Wind", "She Twists the Knife Again"--the latter two from "Across A Crowded Room")to more recent material (including live takes of "Persuasion" a track that began life on the soundtrack album "Sweet Talker" and "Mr Rebound")from 2001 when the album was recorded. Thompson's typically wry sense of humor is, of course, evident in the songs although I do miss the his disarming and charming stage banter.

The recordings sound terrific with the crisp and clear ringing tones of Thompson's wiry guitar solos ringing true. Both Thompson and Jerome provide great backing for Richard Thompson's songs. They sound natural together as if they've been playing together for the last 50 years. To get two Thompson albums both in the same month and year is a great plus.

I still prefer "Small Town Romance," the 1982 release that ended up having huge historical significance. Maybe that's because Thompson's song selection in that performance--at New York's Bottom Line--was more interesting, less-heavily weighted with songs from his most recent album, and contained three songs unavailable anywhere else. Here Thompson gives spirited renditions of songs from "Mock Tudor," but regrettably neglects "You? Me? Us?," 1989's stellar "Amnesia," and its follow-up, "Rumor and Sigh."

What results is a nice keepsake, but should not be taken as the definitive Thompson live album. With a catalog as vast as his, I guess it's impossible to please everyone. Still, for such a rare event as the release of a Thompson performance, is it asking too much for a more sweeping cross-section of his music?

I love Richard Thompson, but his singing is often out of tune. In the studio, enough care is made that it isn't that bad. But in live recordings I find his intonation grating enough to not want to listen. If you don't have a sensitive sense of pitch, you'll probably appreciate this recording more than I did. If you are new to RT, I suggest one of his studio collections before you get this.

This is a wonderful performance by Richard Thompson. His is top notch and I highly recommend it.