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27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
There are two reasons to buy this DVD:, May 14, 2005
1. Richard Thompson
2. Danny Thompson
The thompson boys deliver the goods and there are few chemistries as magical and alchemical as those cast by the superb fretwork of RT on 6 string and DT on upright. These two men were created to play together and every time out it has been wonderous! Live from Austin City Limits was a wonderful series. I'm still waiting for Neil Young and The International Harvesters appearance, possibly Neil's greatest concert.
Anyway, this show as one the ACL producers had been salivating for for years. RT's schedule finally brought him thru Texas and he was definitely on for the night. From the opening "Cooksberry Queen" thru "Put it There, Pal," he delivers catalogue standouts with dynamics and charm. The CD is also excellent, but leaves off "Put it There" and much of the wry humour between songs, so I'd tell you to get both, but with an edge toward this DVD.
Alright, so we get phenomenal renditions of "Easy There", "Shoot Out the Lights" and "1952 Vincent Black Lightning," for which the audience goes absolutely crazy, and he brings forth his take on his collaboration with Neil Finn "Persuasion" with such heartfelt compassion you can't help but wonder how much of his own real blood is in these lines. Certainly England's answer to Bob Dylan, Thompson has penned searing tales that often present his characters on the shores of heartbreak, bleeding. His wry observations on our ability to delude ourselves could be unrelenting, but there is always an element of compassion there as well. Perhaps it is the Sufi in him.
From the video standpoint you'll marvel at his technique and chord changes. This was especially well filmed, and given that it was in Texas, I'm certain there was keen interest in his finger work. No one commands the plectrum and finger picks like RT.
Michael Jerome is the perfect drummer for this band - every brush and stroke and beat is exactly what the song and these two fine musicians need. This is a consummate trio. When they launch into "Mingus Eyes" it is as much a showcase for Danny Thompson as it is for RT, and the way Michael Jerome falls in, you'd swear you could see Mingus smiling.
So pick this up. I watched it staright thru twice. You'll return to it often. This is what DVD and 5.1 wwere meant for.
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14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
a must-have!, May 20, 2005
This is the DVD that Richard Thompson's fans have been anxiously awaiting for decades.
The sound (especially for those with DTS systems) is fantastic, the song choices perfect, the picture quality is great, and, of course, this particular trio is one of the greatest in folk-rock history.
If you're debating between this and the Live in Providence DVD, by all means go with this one. Sure, we all love the great Pete Zorn, but the legendary Danny Thompson (unfortunately absent from the 2003 tour, and therefore the Providence DVD) makes this show transcendent. Of course, Richard Thompson fans should own both (the extras on the Providence DVD alone are worth the price).
Whether familiar with Richard Thompson's work or not, anyone who appreciates great songwriting, and/or great, innovative guitar playing should own this one. I couldn't be happier with this release.
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21 of 28 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mr. Berman, I beg to differ..., May 18, 2005
...and I haven't seen this show yet.
I am a Richard Thompson fan. To say "the acoustic tracks are dull" is like saying sex is boring.
We're talking RT here.
Most purists would say they'd be hard pressed to choose between an electric RT show or an acoustic one.
There is no one, NO ONE, I'd rather hear play acoustic guitar more than Richard Thompson.
You are entitled to your opinion, of course, and I respect that, but, even on his worst day, no way could RT be acoustically dull.
...jessayin'...
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