|
Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZTHOMPSON, Richard(b 3 April '49, London) Guitarist, songwriter, bandleader long described as Britain's best-kept secret. Left Fairport Convention '71 with a high reputation; sessioned with Nick Drake, John Martyn, Sandy Denny, others; appeared on Fairport alumni LP The Bunch: Rock On and pioneering Albion Band LP Morris On '72. Solo debut was Henry The Human Fly '72, crucially underrated on release, still an impressive testament, with wife Linda singing backup. Together they released I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight '74 on Island: championed by John Peel it was better received, crystallizing the ideal of English rock; Julie Covington covered the title track, Martin Carthy featured 'The Great Valerio', Elvis Costello covered two songs. Hokey Pokey '74 was less introspective, with a jaunty title track; 'Georgie On A Spree' described by critics as the nearest thing in the UK to the Band: like most of these it was prod. by Joe Boyd, now on his Hannibal label. Pour Down Like Silver '75 was stark and demanding, reflecting their recent conversion to Sufi religion; 'Night Comes In' was a live favourite because of his solo space, while good songs and her soaring voice kept quality high. Guitar, Vocal '76 collected his unreleased material; their First Light '78 was excellent incl. 'Don't Let A Thief Steal Into Your Heart', covered by the Pointer Sisters. Sunny Vista '79 was quirky and uncommercial, with guests Gerry Rafferty and the McGarrigle Sisters; he sessioned with John Cale, Ralph McTell, others; Strict Tempo '81 was solo instrumental. Shoot Out The Lights '82 was last LP with Linda, incl. classic title track and 'Wall Of Death'; well-received in USA, it led to his first tour there in nearly ten years, but the marriage was breaking up. Hand Of Kindness '83 was a classic even by his high standards, full of good songs; solo acoustic Small Town Romance '84 was made live in NYC, featuring much of their best work, and classic Fairport material. He prod. work by Loudon Wainwright, guested on LPs by Any Trouble, J. J. Cale and T-Bone Burnett '84--6. His first major label album in ten years was Across A Crowded Room '85 on Polydor, disappointing compared to Linda's solo debut (see her entry, above). Doom And Gloom From The Tomb was a USA cassette-only release, effectively tidying up his back catalogue: few can compile such a collection from scraps. Daring Adventure '86 saw him back on form, with Cajun-like 'Valerie', other good songs. French, Frith, Kaiser, Thompson made experimental LP for Rhino '87 called Live, Love, Larf And Loaf (Captain Beefheart drummer John French, avant-garde guitarists Henry Kaiser and Fred Frith). Hailed as an infl. by such diverse artists as the Smiths, Los Lobos, R.E.M. and Mark Knopfler, not even his self- effacement could keep him a secret for ever. Amnesia '88 was his fourth album to chart in the USA; Rumor And Sigh '91, Mirror Blue '94 and you? me? us? '96 were greeted with critical satisfaction, though the last was a needlessly bulky two-CD set (one acoustic and one electric); by contrast, Industry '97 on Parlophone was a duo with bassist Danny Thompson (no relation), both a celebration and a requiem for England's industrial age. Richard Thompson: Strange Affair '97 by Patrick Humphries tries to pin down an elusive man. |