This week’s LP is a Glimpse of Richard & Linda Thompson’s 'I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight'
Folk-rock with a traditional edge? Try it, you might be surprised.
When Bright Lights was released in 1974, I recall it received a glowing review in the New Musical Express. As discussed in previous Glimpses, in those days I (well, most people my age) had to allocate limited funds wisely. Much excellent music passed me by. At that time, I knew nothing of Richard and Linda, nothing of Fairport Convention, nothing really of genres outside of the core rock music I preferred. Reading a glowing review of an album such as this was interesting, and hard to act upon.
Years later, I made the acquaintance of a guy who was a massive Richard Thompson fan. Via him, I discovered some of Richard Thompson’s solo albums, and gradually the reasons for reviewer praise began to make itself apparent. And years after that, I took the opportunity to see Thompson live when he played a gig at Aberystwyth Arts Centre. The music, especially (of course) his guitar playing and Danny Thompson’s (no relation) double-bass, was truly extraordinary. What really sticks, though, is the reserve of the audience. We were invited to contribute to the chorus of one song and there was not much to be heard. In his dry, sardonic way Thompson briefly glanced up: “Land of song?”
There was a time, just before streaming, when back-catalogue, possibly remastered and bonus-tracked, albums were sold for very reasonable prices. When Bright Lights appeared it was time to take a chance. Well, I was by now familiar with the title track, and had found I approved of the work of Richard Thompson. I wasn’t sure what Linda would bring to the party, although by reputation she was a fine vocalist.
After one play of my bargain CD I placed an order for the other albums they recorded together - at least, the ones available at that time. (Later, a super deluxe box, Hard Luck Stories, would bring everything together.)
From Bright Lights, I was expecting guitar-based folk - possibly folk rock, but was uncertain how much ‘rock’ would feature. Look at the instruments on this album! Dulcimer! Krummhorn! Harmonium! Mandolin!1 Plus … a silver band!2
And these are all heard to good effect on the first track, When I Get to the Border. A good song, not a great one, is lifted with an instrumental break featuring these traditional instruments one after the other. Even fifty years later the sounds on this album are so fresh. I guess it’s inevitable that ‘traditional’ music, with excellent but not gimmicky production, will be timeless. Compare and contrast with many of the recordings for the 1980s which are very much now of their time.
The next track, The Calvary Cross’ is an epic, except it’s not on this LP, clocking in at just 3:51. Not that short, you say? Well, a year later the live version would have grown into a 14-minute epic, allowing Richard to stretch out on guitar. Because, of course, for all the unusual arrangements, Richard Thompson is widely known as one of the finest guitarists you’ll ever have the pleasure to hear. In fact, you could make The Calvary Cross the centerpiece of the album by substituting the studio version with the epic live version which can be found as one of the bonus tracks on the reissued Pour Down Like Silver album. This version was recorded live at Oxford Polytechnic and is tuneful, uplifting, and lets in the shadows and light.
To return to my uncertainty about Linda’s contribution to the album - an uncertainty that was in my mind purely because I’d never properly heard her work until this album. In short, she brings plenty. For all my enjoyment of Richard’s solo work, Linda’s deep, rich, voice brings a whole other dimension, and the others the Thompsons made together.
Listen to her sing on Down Where the Drunkards Roll, her voice rising strong above an acoustic guitar, allowing her clarity and musicality to shine in service of a beautiful song. Compare the two versions of the great storytelling song The End of the Rainbow - the version sung by Richard that made the original album, and the version sung by Linda, here in demo form as a bonus track. Although Linda’s version is a complete demo, for me the record would have been even better if the demo version had been completed and included.
Allow the album to run into the next track, A Heart Needs a Home, and once again we’re gripped as soon as Linda dives deep into the opening line. So, why aren’t there many great Linda Thompson solo albums, following on from her split, both personal and professional, with Richard?3 The short answer is Linda was unable to sing for many years, following a rare vocal cord problem. She would recover and return with her own solo work. There is a complex story to be told around their personal lives. If you’re interested, it’s probably best to find your way in via the brief Wikipedia account and go from there.
If folk, or folk rock, is for you, then you must hear I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight. Even if you think it’s not your type of thing - live dangerously, because you might get a pleasant surprise.
Performed by:
Richard Thompson – guitar, vocals, Hammered dulcimer (10), mandolin (1,8), tin whistle (1,7), piano (2), electric piano (5), harmonium (7)
Linda Thompson – vocals
Timi Donald – drums
Pat Donaldson – bass guitar
John Kirkpatrick – accordion, concertina (1,3,7)
Simon Nicol – dulcimer (5)
Brian Gulland – krummhorn (1,6)
Richard Harvey – krummhorn (1,6)
Royston Wood – harmony bass vocals (6, possibly 2)
Trevor Lucas – harmony vocals (5, possibly 2)
The CWS (Manchester) Silver Band (4,7)
Video: Richard and Linda Thompson at the BBC - ‘A Little Night Music’
These could be the names of the reserve reindeers for Santa’s sleigh.
Okay, this sounds like the announcements section of Tubular Bells now.
Five more studio albums, and two live, form the Richard and Linda Thompson recorded output.
Excellent pick 👏👏
Enjoying what I’ve heard so far and have added it to my 2024 Substack Discoveries playlist on Spotify for further listening. Thanks for sharing!