I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight

Linda Thompson, Richard Thompson | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 1, 1991)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Hannibal
• ASIN: B00000063U
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #157,573 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. When I Get to the Border

2. The Calvary Cross

3. Withered and Died

4. I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight

5. Down Where the Drunkards Roll

6. We Sing Hallelujah

7. Has He Got a Friend for Me

8. The Little Beggar Girl

9. The End of the Rainbow

10. The Great Valerio

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording

Hindsight confirms this as a British folk rock classic, but the studio debut for Fairport Convention alumnus Richard Thompson and then-bride Linda Peters Thompson was passed over for stateside issue upon its release in 1974. Granted its stubborn penchant for framing Thompson's arch broadsides, ballads, and rockers with silver horns, concertina, and pre-industrial imagery took these songs way out of contention with the rock fare of the day, Bright Lights survives as a stunning introduction to the Thompsons' remarkable music. The set also offers a primer on Richard's understated brilliance as both electric and acoustic guitarist (and no mean hand on mandolin). His spidery Stratocaster jigs and reels with a vinous sting, and, on the ear-tweaking "The Calvary Cross," offers a position paper on the rudiments of a style that would influence guitarists on both sides of the pond. Like the Band's Robbie Robertson, Thompson harnesses a tough rock attack to a rootsy folk intelligence that has since bubbled up in the playing of successors including Mark Knopfler, sounding timeless and contemporary with every string-bending flourish. --Sam Sutherland

Product Description

Full title - I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight. The British folk-rock duo's 1974 masterpiece. Island. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BOY, DID I GOOF..., February 9, 2003

By 

adam david (new york) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight (Audio CD)

Back in 2000 when Island released the Richard & Linda Thompson Best of The Island Years Collection, I was looking to whittle down the number of discs I owned and it seemed to be an ideal opportunity in regards to my Richard & Linda Thompson library: highlights from albums I didn't own were represented, material I was always curious about was there, and, in the case of I Want To See the Bright Lights Tonight, 7 of the 10 cuts were included. I figured, hey, pick this up and I can get rid of IWTSTBLT as well as Pour Down Like Silver.

Yeah, I know: I also feel like I should be made to sit in the corner wearing a "Dunce" cap.

The Best of IS a superbly constructed compilation - heck, the songs that are on it are even in the same sequence as on this release, so what's the problem?

That this is an ALBUM, in the classic sense. It has an intention, as well as a beginning, a middle, and an end. The songs that are missing aren't the albums highlights, true, but that's only because all the other material is just so superb. "We Sing Halelujah" (not on the greatest hits) is a wonderful song, and "Has He Got a Friend For Me?" and "The Little Beggar Girl" are...well, y'know something, some of these songs are the albums highlights...(damn!)

The rest of the material is some of Thompson's - heck, the WORLD'S - darkest: "Down Where the Drunkards Roll", "Withered and Died", "The End of the Rainbow"...the titles say it all. But they're balanced by the drive and ...hope(?) in other songs like "When I Get to The Border", "Calvary Cross", and the title track. For all of their hope and desire, the songs remain wise and world-weary.

Individually, these all remain great songs, but in the context of this album is where they really make sense. Thompson's guitar work remains a unique talent, and Linda's voice is just superb (I have yet to find a solo Richard album this satisfying, because with his penchant for such dark, unflinching material, a voice as beautiful as Linda's provides excellent counterpoint).

Oh...and a word of warning: I picked this up after I'd gotten Shoot Out the Lights and wanted more of the same: this album is much more folky from songstyle to instrumentation and arrangemtents. It took a while for this album to sink in, but, boy did it ever...

Selling this album (and Pour Down Like Silver)...wow, I can be a real [dunce] sometimes...

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Breathtaking, somber, dark, powerful, November 24, 2001

By 

"philosoph123" (Manhattan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight (Audio CD)

I feel that this is the best single album of one of the finest overall songwriters of the modern era. Where to begin? At the end...the final two songs, "End of the Rainbow" and "The Great Valerio" are a beautiful, dark, ending to this album, possibly the most perfect ending to any album. The music is stripped of frills, reflecting despair without entering into self-pity. There is a feeling of being alone and without purpose, with no hope for this to change; this is our condition, not some malleable situation. How perfect is this: "Life seems so rosy in the cradle/But take a look outside your nursery door/There's nothing at the end of the rainbow/There's nothing to grow up for anymore" It is the realization of the tragedy that our lives must be if there is nothing beyond it. It is the conviction of a man who cannot see beyond the horrors of his own life.

There are MANY other great songs on this disk: "Calvary Cross", "Down Where the Drunkards Roll" and the title track all spring to mind. There is not a dud in the collection. Richard shows himself a superlative songwriter and an excellent guitarist, and Linda's haunting vocals are beautifully suited to his work (although Richard's vocals on "End of the Rainbow" are also perfect). I have never heard a 'perfect' album, but this album has certain strengths that make it something sui generis.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's Not All Bright Lights Out There !, July 17, 2002

By 

P. D. Laffey (Hitchin) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight (Audio CD)

A marvelous album from 1974 chocked full of Richard Thompson's wry observations on life's outsiders . The ten songs are amongst Richard Thompson's best work , and they're enhanced further by the imaginative choice of instruments that are played . The use of the Dulcimer , Anglo Concertina , Krummhorn and Accordion gives this cd a dark quasi-English medieval ambiance that fits hand in glove with the almost Gothic imagery and dark language of the songs . As usual Richard Thompson's guitar playing is inspired , and the underrated Linda Thompson has one of her finest moments on the magnificent " Withered and Died " , surely one of the great songs on " lost love " out there !

I've had this record for twenty years now , and it still keeps getting better , because from time to time I still discover hidden nuances that not only enhances the record but also highlights the depth of this stunning music . Essential !

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