Customer Reviews

Small Town Romance

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a good, but overrated, live set. Thompson himself didn't want it in circulation for years after its short-lived initial release because he was dissatisfied with the album. And he has a point. What's wrong? The songs? No. The performances? Nope. It's just the dull sound that lets it down. Anyone who's seen RT playing acoustic in a club knows how bright and crisp his brilliant guitar playing sounds. For whatever reason, it doesn't come through here. The guitar just isn't recorded well or mixed in proper relation to his singing, and he ends up sounding like an ordinary folk guitarist too much of the time--albeit one with great, cutting songs. So the problem is not so much what it sounds like, but knowing what it *could* have sounded like. So the answer is simple: He needs to record a new acoustic live album. *Then* he can put this one out of print. But for now, it's good to have it, flawed sound and all.

Having previously heard only one Richard Thompson record before this one, I had a lot more to choose from. I picked Small Town Romance because, being a solo fingerstyle acoustic guitarist myself, I especially wanted something I could learn from. To say that I was not disappointed would be a huge understatement, and even after Mock Tudor (see my review of that one) I was more impressed than I expected to be. The only thing that keeps me from giving it 5 stars is the decidedly rough production quality: the vocals are much louder than the precious guitar I especially wanted to listen to, and other listeners might find that important as well, since this is after all just Thompson and his acoustic. However, the bootleggish sound quality and unashamed selection of material (including a couple of nasty throat-clearings from Thompson, who sounds a bit under the weather) are as much strengths as weaknesses: it gives you a chance to hear that Thompson seems incapable of sounding bad, no matter what the circumstances. "Time to Ring Some Changes" is crisp and strong, and an unusually straight protest song for an artist whose songs, even the social commentaries, are usually so deeply personal. "Beat the Retreat", "Down Where the Drunkards Roll" and "Never Again" are achingly sad, heartrendingly sweet and filled with wry love (and all the more honest for the aforementioned throat-clearing). "Honky Tonk Blues", a Hank Williams cover (!), features a bi-octave guitar solo that has so much punch it may FORCE you to dance. The rendition of "The Great Valerio" is spooky and bleak, like being alone in a crowd at a carnival. The Celtic-flavored guitar cross-picking of "How Many Times Do You Have to Fall" is modal, pipey, bittersweet and skillful enough, but right after that comes "Roll Over Vaughan Williams", an unbelievably quick, richly ornamented true Celtic reel that will blast you through the frigging roof! Finally, the Fairport Convention anthem "Meet on the Ledge" is nice to hear; while this rendition of the song lacks the production values of the original Fairport studio version, the track includes a bit of wry (and jokingly rude) Thompson humor at the expense of both himself (as usual) and an audience member: "I swore I'd never [play this song] again, but I'll do it...'cause you're such a fab audience!" Audience laughs, and one member makes an inaudible comment, to which Thompson laughingly replies, "F**k you!"

There are several reasons for longtime Richard Thompson fans to rejoice at the rerelease of this 1984 album recorded at the Bottom Line and Folk City in New York.

1. Many of these songs take on an added emotional quality from the studio versions when presented here by Thompson accompanied only on his own acoustic guitar, especially on songs like "Beat the Retreat." Also, many of these songs were originally sung by Thompson's former wife Linda. Hearing him sing songs like "Down Where the Drunkards Roll" deepen the intensity of the song.

2. Thompson is an amazing guitar player, but his studio albums rarely allow him to showcase his skills on the acoustic guitar. Listen especially to "Woman or a Man?" and the instrumental version of "Roll Over Vaughn Williams."

3. Other than the box set Watching the Dark (which contains the same version), this live album was the only place you could get the splendid "Small Town Romance."

Thompson obviously enjoys playing live and his self-deprecating wit shines through. [He introduces "I Want To See the Bright Lights Tonight" as being "a medley of our greatest hit."] This CD reissue also adds three bonus tracks: "How Many Times Do I Have To Fall," "Roll Over Vaughn Williams" and "Meet On the Ledge." While there may be a missed note here and there, it is still a joy to hear Thompson in this relaxed setting. RECOMMENDED

Though a Richard and Linda Thompson's fan, I had never tried to find this one. RT himself said he didn't want it to be released, and I thought "Well, he's the artist after all, he should know ."
What's more, the Bright Lights songs were kind of sacred to me, and I was very sceptical about his singing Linda's tracks. The idea bothered me, in fact.
But then I got a chance to listen to the record .. and I really liked it.
What this guy does with only a guitar and a voice is truly amazing. You really feel as if he's playing in your living room, and that's great. My favorite track is Time to bring some changes. It's all the more emotional as (I think) he'd just separated from his wife.
A heart needs a home & The great Valerio are both interesting alternate versions. I found his rendering rather good.
Down where.. and Never again obviously do not attain the power of the old (Never again is one of my favourite Linda's vocals). I think they are the two missed ones on the record - but then, these two are best suited to a high pitched voice. Don't even try them if you're a man with a low voice (whether he really chose them, or just did them because he was asked to and she wasn't here anymore .. is another story).
I am not very much into Fairport, but the Fairport stuff he sings here sounds rather good, actually.
My only quibble is that the sequencing makes it a bit tiring to listen to all the tracks one after another - it's much better if you do your own selection with the skip forward button.
On the whole, Small town romance is a very enjoyable experience .. especially if, like me, you live in a place where you'd never see such good acoustic performances

Any fan of Thompson knows most of these songs already and the versions on the other albums are brilliant. But these versions are really special, too, for their stripped-down beauty. A great guitarist like Richard--and he may well be the best ever--doesn't need an amp to wipe you out, he just needs your ears. Pick this album up if, like me, you appreciate the simple loveliness of an artist and his guitar.

I have almost everything else RT has recorded, but I chose not to get this CD at first. Big mistake. It's excellent and the closest thing to a real live performance of RT you will get. "Small Town Romance" is from a live concert with just RT, which is the best way to hear him.

This CD covers RT's early work from about 1967 to 1980. If you don't have the songs on Fairport Convention CDs, you'll want this. Well, and you may want it even if you do. (I did)

The song that forced this decision was "Woman or a Man," which is almost as funny as "Naked Highwayman" by Fairport Convention.

"Genesis Hall" on this CD is one of the best versions of this song I've ever heard.

"Roll Over, Vaughn Williams" is one of the best guitar solos RT does. You can really hear the complex chording here.

"Meet on the Ledge," is another Fairport song. I like the solo version, best.

If you're a fan of RT, just buy "Small Town Romance." I promise you won't regret it. If you love beautifully performed folk, you're going to love this CD--and you may well become a fan of Thompson and probably Fairport Convention.

Rebecca Kyle, August 2008

I started my RT collection a few years back like the above reviewer (with a few extra bucks in my pocket, I bought "Rumor and Sigh"). After the first listen, he had me hooked. After that, I picked up you? me? us?, and followed up with "Small Town Romance," which is easily one of the most incredible albums I've ever heard, folk singer or otherwise. I was fortunate enough to see RT recently in concert, and realized how funny the man is--there are a few spots on this album where he cracks the audience up, but it doesn't reflect just how witty he is. If you're a folk fan of any degree, BUY THIS ALBUM. You can't go wrong.

... how nigh-on criminally underrated this guy remains. it gets almost to the point where you just want to throw up your hands and concede the defeat. what they say above is true- yes, the album's a little ragged; yes, he misses a few notes. boo hoo. he also gives you "time to ring some changes", the opener, which I had stuck in my head for the entire summer of 1998. I know it sounds sick. and "how many times". and "beat the retreat." and a great solo version of "i want to see the bright lights tonight." it does make you sick, the neglect. the first thompson I bought was the boxed set; I had a hangover and some cash in my pocket and it seemed logical. to this day, it's one of the five best musical purchases I've ever made. he just gets into you and doesn't let go. you don't have to buy this one, not yet; i'd go "henry the human fly" or "bright lights" first. but if you like what you hear, this should be the next stop. then "shoot out the lights". then "rumor and sigh". then "first light". then "pour down like silver". you get the drift.

The most cost-effective introduction to the cult of Richard Thompson, SMALL TOWN ROMANCE draws on all areas of his career, up to the time of it's release. You get the great hooks ( "How Many Times", " I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight"), the great heartbreak songs ("For Shame of Doing Wrong", "Small Town Romance"), and a rare live version of the non-sentimental sentimental song "Meet On the Ledge". The warts-and-all approach ( a few missed notes and audible throat clearing) don't diminish the music in any way - any fan of folk, great guitar playing, and first-rank songwriting will lap this up like a thirsty pup. Although "Watching the Dark" is a more comprhensive overview of his career, SMALL TOWN ROMANCE is a wonderful alternative to plump for.

I just bought this CD to add to my RT collection and it is amazing! The sound quality is fine. Remember, he is playing at a club! The sound is as crisp, clear and full as you could get at the time. I loved the bare bones passionate vocals and guitar work that is reminiscent of John Renbourn (and incredible compliment). All the tracks are strong as would be if the artist is Richard Thompson; I don't he could play or write anything uninspired. My favorite tracks are: Genesis Hall, The Great Valerio and For The Shame Of Doing Wrong. But all are absolutely first rate! The high energy guitar work on the instrumental "Roll Over Vaughn Williams" alone is worth the price of the CD. Recommended!