TalkAwhile - The Folk Corporation Forum

i've just seen this http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B003R7JOJ6/ref=s9_simh_gw_p15_i5?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-1&pf_rd_r=1RSHGPYGE72J7HZRWZWF&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=467198433&pf_rd_i=468294  on amazon.
 i wonder if there will be copies available at Cropredy, certainly hope so

The double CD is a deluxe limited edition - the standard edition is a single CD. I think the release date is this side of CRopredy - he's touring the Band CD in January next year.

Sadly not - August 30.

thanks Andy.....

links to listings please?

The link in the original post is to Amazon's page. It contains details. Here you go.
Dream Attic
Track Listings
Disc: 1
1. The Money Shuffle
2. Among The Gorse, Among The Grey
3. Haul Me Up
4. Burning Man
5. Here Comes Geordie
6. Demons In Her Dancing Shoes
7. Crimescene
8. Big Sun Falling In The River
9. Stumble On
10. Sidney Wells
11. A Brother Slips Away
12. Bad Again
13. If Love Whispers Your Name
Disc: 2
1. The Money Shuffle (Acoustic Demo Version)
2. Among The Gorse, Among The Grey (Acoustic Demo Version)
3. Haul Me Up (Acoustic Demo Version)
4. Burning Man (Acoustic Demo Version)
5. Here Comes Geordie (Acoustic Demo Version)
6. Demons In Her Dancing Shoes (Acoustic Demo Version)
7. Crimescene (Acoustic Demo Version)
8. Big Sun Falling In The River (Acoustic Demo Version)
9. Stumble On (Acoustic Demo Version)
10. Sidney Wells (Acoustic Demo Version)
11. A Brother Slips Away (Acoustic Demo Version)
12. Bad Again (Acoustic Demo Version)
13. If Love Whispers Your Name (Acoustic Demo Version)

The second disc is the acoustic demos that RT did for band practice / rehearsals...

Pre-ordered it from Amazon. If he happens to show up at Cropredy (extremely doubtful this year) & has advance copies to sell & sign, I will just have to get one & cancel my pre-order.

Very unlikely, I should think - he has a gig on Saturday 14th in Colorado.....

Don't  Proper run the record stall at cropredy?
they may well fancy flogging a copy or two before its official release, doncha think?

Not sure if anyone's aware of this - http://www.richardthompsondreamattic.com/ ?
Free download of one track, apparently.
No, don't mention it.  [;-)

Sorry Bob B - I see you flagged this one up earlier. I'm sure it mentions that the double will exclusively be available from this site though, so where the Amazon connection comes in, I'm not sure.

Well, Amazon are selling it. In quite large numbers I think, as its sales rank in music is 243.

I should point out that 'taking orders for' and 'selling' aren't necessarily the same thing...  ::)

The Dream Attic site refers to "special editions of the album available only via this website". It may be that there will be further editions of the album which will differ from the two being offered on Amazon..?

Cheers

Nick

I'll cross my fingers and hope.

Down to 9.99 in both Amazon & Play. I've just ordered.

I've only heard the electrc half, but...My favorite RT album in a long while. Great songs, lots of variety and...If you love hearing him wail on electric guitar, this one is definitely for you.

There are further "special edititions" available - double CD plus lithograph plus Walking on the Wire box set for $90 or vinyl version or the double CD with the acoustic demos or the single CD (see RT website for links)..

According to Amazon, my copy dispatched yesterday. Can't wait until it plops onto my doormat!

Four star review from Robin Denslow in The Guardian today.

ditto

ditto

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/aug/26/richard-thompson-dream-attic-review

and 4 stars from Andy Gill in t'Indy

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-richard-thompson-dream-attic-proper-2062994.html

And Ditto again.
American 6 which was ordered at the same time for 3.99 arrived today. ;D

Arrived on the doormat today (thanks HMV!)

Just listening to the demos on disc 2 now having had a listen through disc 1 first.

I can see a weekend of intensive listening ahead!

I appear to have been over eager here. I have just had confirmation from Play that  my copy has been dispatched too so I must have inadvertently ordered two copies!  :-[

So... if anyone wants a copy of the 2 disc version at the knock down price of £9, please IM me.

I keep watching this -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnpLMU9i33I

A return to classic RT - can't wait to hear the rest of the album, especially 'Here comes Geordie'!

just arrived
thank you mr and mrs indigo starfish and all their wee weans

Gone!



Yes, same here, at least the first copy.  ::)

I have been listening to it all morning, admittedly while doing other things so it has not had my full attention. It seems to have much more of a foot in the traditional folk camp than some of RTs more recent albums, at least as far as the the melodies are concerned. A very celtic/caledonian feel but served up with lashings of blistering guitar work.

I am currently listening to the acoustic disc and it is splendid, maybe better than the band performances. I'm almost shocked to hear myself saying that as I generally prefer my RT plugged in.

Can't wait to hear this - I've only just got my Amazon notification, so I won't get it until after the bank holiday. At least it will give me something to look forward to on returning to work

That was my first reaction too but going back to the band performances after hearing the demos gives them an extra dimension - having the demo versions is a tremendous insight into the creative process & it's great to compare & contrast & to find how the two versions complement each other.  

Well worth springing for the two disc edition!

im on the "band" disc now - fabulous

 i see from the photos RT s now armed with a powder blue Strat and not the trusty old Ferrington or the sunburst strat

He's had that some time, Jim - check out thepast promo shots of him lounging in a chair....

right, i never took that much notice, I must have assumed it was the ferrington, same colour

Only real men have guitars that colour.....

Another quality album. Dear I say it - a bit more folk influenced than the recent albums-return/nod to the Fairport roots a little? Especially with the violin. It being a live album is nice to have some longer guitar sections. Can't wait to get to know it all better. Love how you get a properly depressing song followed by a slightly less depressing song followed by a properly depressing song..... Fingers crossed he will he at Croppers next year!

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Richard Thompson Olly blue?

Played the electric disc last night. Excellent, as expected. Haven't got to the demo disc yet.
I think I will try queueing up the demos of each track, immediately followed by the live version later today. Should be very interesting.

Has RT actually admitted anywhere in public that "Here Comes Geordie" is actually about Sting?

Does he need to?

I'm given to understand he has tried to deflect that assumption but I fear he may have been too lyrically specific on this occasion to warrant further speculation!  ;D

In an interview I read he said it definately wasn't about Sting, but then I doubt he could admit that out loud.

Nice band. Obvious Friday headliner for Cropredy 2011.

Well I'm a bit depressed ... I pre-ordered a download-only copy direct through the http://www.richardthompsondreamattic.com/ website, and still 'only' have the first 3 tracks, offered at the point I ordered.

No response to a support message I sent them yesterday (not a bank hol in the US, so far as I am aware) to enquire about the rest of the album.

Oh well, I'll just have to listen to the CD copy I pre-ordered (through Amazon UK) for a friend!  Rather makes a mockery of the whole download-only mechanism 'though, if physical CDs arrive more quickly.

Simon.

Isn't that related to the US release? And thus the US release date?.....

Allegedly the release date is..today.  A quick trip to our local HMV reveals no new RT cds and Amazon.ca has the album listed as an import, so copies take over a week (the double CD apparently is not available until next week this side of the border).  ****..!

Welll, I did consider that, but it's afternoon on 31st, even over there in the colonies  :)

Topspin have now replied to my support message, saying that I "should receive an email soon from Richard Thompson's team", so I'll look forward to that.

Simon.

In the meantime, you can listen to the album here:
http://www.richardthompson-music.com/catch_of_the_day.asp?id=1262

Will be picking this up on my way home tonight....!  (Or so I assume, my local record store had it on the bulletin board for 8/31, thought I'd buy it from them.)  My charming dinner date canceled on me, but this means I don't have to wait an extra day to hear it!

Have been counting the days since February.

Tried to download via the official email link last night/this morning..each time after about 1MB the download stops due to decompression failure or something (is it coming up from the bottom of the ocean?).  Anyone else had similar problems or ideas to get round this?

I got an email this morning that Topspin is having problems with its download service. At the same time I got another email containing a link to download the entire cd. Following the link produced an error page so it appears you've gotten further than I have.
Guess I should have bought the cd itself instead of the digital-only option ...

I should add that having listened to the cd on the AOL page, I consider it to be a step up from Sweet Warrior.

Well at least its not me or our computer!  I have the CD on order, but it looks as if that is not going to be arriving straight away.  The UK was far better served in terms of distribution and availability it seems.

From the Beesweb Q&A update today;

I can see why people think this is about Sting, but it is mere coincidence. I wrote the song about another person, who mortally insulted a good friend of mine, and deserves to be publicly flogged. So let's end all this Sting speculation.

Jimmy Nail?  ::)

I've had this on in the car most of this week. Damn fine album, and some of it really does remind me of Sloth or Full House/Liege era Fairport. Perhaps my favourite RT album of recent years.

Listened to half of it yesterday and the rest just now. It's a bit good isn't it? Really looking forward to seeing it done live In January.

Bugger, looks like I'm going to have to buy this.

Finally got mine yesterday, so a day of RT'ing today!

Me too - can't wait to hear it properly.

I've been listening to this on the journey to and from work - and made the same mistake each time... whether it's the acoustic or electric version playing I've pulled into my drive just as the last song begins. And since I've had a succession of long days & late evenings at work, I've been too hungry to sit in the car and let it finish. So I've still not heard all of it!  :-[

Since I've got a gap in the back-to-back meetings this afternoon I shall try and rectify that today.

Snap! I'm thinking of writing to the manufacturer to complain.

You must ~ because the last song is the very best one  :)

"Love is worth every wound"

As has just been pointed out on the Word Magazine site this has just entered the UK album charts at no 20. I think a small ripple of polite applause may be in order.

http://www.wordmagazine.co.uk/content/word-cover-star-uk-chart-shocker

I found a copy of the 2 cd edition at my local HMV. I've listened to the acoustic disc and there's some great stuff. RT in fine form with some splendidly gloomy lyrics. I suspect that I may end up preferring some of the songs in acoustic rather than electric form but I haven't sat down and given disc 1 a proper listen yet.

Re the packaging, is it really necessary to have a cardboard sleeve over the plastic case? Seems a bit wasteful to me.

Cor blimey guv'nor, 's'rather nice, this album.



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Just finished listening to it, it's another good 'un I'm afraid !

Damn!

I was hoping for negative reviews - Hey ho, it's off to Amazon then...............  ;)

For what it's worth, I don't like it as much as Sweet Warrior...

But it's still amazing!  Can't stop listening to Sidney Wells...

There's a pretty negative review in "Q" (Just two stars) but all the others I've seen have been good.

For old-school FC and RT fans, Sidney Wells sounds like the illegitimate offspring of "Last Night's Fun", the first tune of "Dirty Linen." You keep half-expecting it to break into the second tune "Paddy On The Railroad," the one with the fast bass...brilliant !

There was me thinking I would be in a minority of one.  I really like the album, the band are tight and the decision to record it in front of a live audience is a brave one.  Some excellent well written songs and the band are tight.  I am finding myself playing the ,"Guitar and vocal demos" disc much more than the electric one.

I think 'here comes Geordie', Demons in her dancing shoes' and 'Sidney Wells' translate especially well in this more stripped back format  :)

Excellent album

So far I like the acoustic set far more than the band set.  I would be interested to find out who the Geordie who isn't Sting is who sings in a fake Jamaican accent, has a high opinion of himself, wants to save the world and can't act his way out of a paper bag..

I suspect the electric set will grow on me: shame no north west coast dates to see the songs live..

Gazza?

You mean this guy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Gascoigne)?

That's the fellow. He did a god-awful cover of Fog on the Tyne and I think he's been in some TV movies.

That's the chap, Bob. When he was at the height of his fame/notoriety, a judge famously asked "Who is Mr Paul Gascoigne?" When told that the bloke was a footballer, His Honour replied " Association Football, or Rugby Football?" (In England, Rugby is a more upper-class sport than what you call soccer.) I understand that this is not the case in the other, equally important countries with which we share the island of Great Britain.

Gazza may have been a big head, but I do not recall him singing in a Jamaican accent, trying to save the world or appearing on stage: perhaps I missed the production of Julius Caesar with Gazza as Mark Anthony and Peter Shilton as Cassius..?

A couple of by-numbers* rockers to be sure, but a good few of the electric versions are already entrenched as absolutely essential RT workouts - Sidney Wells, for one. Big Sun Falling In The River could be the next Crowded House single.  



*of course RT's numbers are on a slightly different plane to the rest of ours.

Not being a great RT fan I wasn't sure what to expect. But, I've really enjoyed the full band version, very rocky and surprisingly uplifting, definitely a good hour plus of listening. Though against the general concensus I find the acoustic versions rather depressing and downbeat (apart from Sydney Wells, which is the standout track) but, still prefer the full version.

Glad I've got the full version, a very good album, but, personally I wouldn't bother with the pared down versions.

Listening to the demos again this morning I reckon that if he'd got Danny to play some double bass on tracks like Haul Me Up and maybe Debra Dobkin to add some percussion, it could have been a new acoustic studio album with a bonus live disc!

It says much about his talent that something he calls a demos cd is what I'm sure many singer songwriters would be happy to release as a finished studio album.

I couldnt agree more, a superb album IMHO.  Cant wait to hear dancing shoes and Sidney Wells live  ;D

There's some good ole Ashley Hutchings 8 to the bar bass playing in 'Demons in her dancing shoes' - in fact in a couple of places it sounds a little like the 1976 Albion Dance Band during the tune at the end!!

I do like the way RT shouts "Let's dance!" and goes into some morris tunes*.  ;D

*attention, the Morris Police, that's what they sound like to me.

I was thinking how much better it would have sounded with DM on drums!!

Great album I agree. But when it comes to calling Sting for singing in an accent not that of his native city, isn't this a slight case of pots and kettles?

Mmm, I love Michael Jerome's drumming, he's been working with RT since 1999 (apart from one tour where Earl Harvin subbed for him), so must be doing something right to earn his spot on that particular drumstool. Surely if RT wanted DM in his band then he'd have him in his band. (disclaimer : I also think that DM is one of the greats, by the way)

Jerome is a drumming genius, little kit, big sound
DM is my homeboy and will always be
RT can choose who he wants to drum for him and he  currently goes with MJ
maybe DM wasnt as available as he used to be

From Richard's own Q&A page:

I'd love to see Richard perform Sidney Wells backed by the current Fairport lineup.  Cropredy 2011?  With a release on an official live CD?  Please?  Sidney Wells is my favorite RT solo track ever.  I just looped the acoustic version for like half an hour and am now back to the electric incarnation.  Wow.

Regardless of the Stingy-ness of the subject or not, once RT has had a go at 'Geordie' for sounding like he comes from "Jamaicee" (which in itself is a scan shoehorning of spectacular stripe), his own pronunciation of "Charm" on 'Sidney Wells' takes on a whole new, astonishing aspect. Where's "Chheeeeaarrrrmmm!" supposed to be from? Unless it's an Oasis homage...  ::)  ;D

Yeah, what is that accent used by RT? It's prevalent mostly on the ballads. I prefer the mock-gypsy one from the early years!!  ;D

No matter how I try, I can't work out what a Mock-Gypsy (or indeed real Gypsy) accent might be. Please enlighten me.

It's easy. Imagine a little bit of cockney mixed with a little southern Irish. Think 'Nobody's Wedding' on RT's first solo album. ;D

Richard's voice hasn't changed much over the years since I first knew him other than in gaining confidence richness and maturity. Think you'll find it's his own unique accent.
But that's just my opinion of course..... :)

Agreed...well summed up Jude ! His voice is certainly unique, dark and special...

I know what RT sounds like, there just ain't such a thing as a Gypsy accent, ergo there's no such thing as a fake Gypsy accent.

'Don't sing with,don't sing with,don't sing with no fake gypsy accents'....

The other one I forgot to mention is 'Old changing way' of course.

I prefer RT's voice now as opposed to the standard folkie accent of the early 70's..Dream Attic is something of a typical RT album: 5 or 6 brilliant songs, 4 or 5 typical RT standards and a couple of "what on earth??" tracks..Lyrically there are a couple of tracks which do nothing for me ("Money Shuffle" is ahrdly the most witty insightful blast at the recent economic woes and "Here Comes Geordie" is the sort of barb a la Kenny G, Janet Jackson etc that is fine for a laugh as a download but grates with repeated listens).  The major plus is the enthusiasm of the band and the great instrumental work from all concerned..

Does anyone just listen to the sound without disecting the lyrics?

Me.

Fans of Roni Size and Reprazent are particularly prone to this type of behaviour, I believe, yes.   8)

Me too! The playing, tunes, texture, and sound is everything initially. Although I do tend to pay more attention to lyrics after repeated listens, and time for the songs to grow. :)

Looking forward to going into Oxford tomorrow to buy this CD ! 8)

I beg to differ old son. What is the accent used by Sandy on, 'It suits me well'  if it's not a gypsy accent??  Now come on.  ::)

I think what you may have is the young singers idea of what a folk singer should sing like.

So after much, well some, well listening to two songs, research and deliberation  the only difference to my ears apart from age (of my ears as well) of course is that RT seems to have less of a nasal tone in his singing than in the early days.

Everyone has a different idea of how a folk singer "should" sound - go to certain London Folk Clubs and you can hear bleating sheep in abundance - and they never look you in the face!!! ::)

Ok, here goes. I am from Gypsy decent, Irish. My father worked with the Gypsy community in his job as a scrap metal dealer.
As a funeral director I have dealt with may Gypsy funerals over nearly thirty years.
In West Kent there is a discernable accent/patois used by older members of the community. This is different to East Sussex where i now live, which is different to Irish which is different to...
Saying there is a Gypsy accent is the same as saying that there is an English accent.

Mock-Gypsy? It's the same as Mock-Tudor, only with wheels.

Thanks my friend. That's cleared that up then!   [;-)

Now I've listened to the CDs a few times, I find I prefer the acoustic version.

I agree Adrian, and so does my wife. I do love some of the soloing on the electric album though, in fact it's absolutely breathtaking.  8)

I get into the solos a tad too much...  Got some strange looks on the bus this morning with Sidney Wells going on the old headphones...

Nothing wrong with that Greg!!  Sidney Wells has an excellent solo, but my I think favourite solo is the one on the last track (the name of which escapes me, and I can't be arsed to go and find it!)  :P