Richard Thompson advice?

[Nick the Stick]

Does anyone know if Daring Adventures is out or coming out. I normally buy an old cd only to find it re-released remastered a week later.

[Jules Gray]

I normally buy an old cd only to find it re-released remastered a week later.

I've done that a few times myself.  It's a right royal pain, isn't it?  It hurts every time I look at my Todd Rundgren CDs and remember the remasters that came out the week after.  Ditto my 70s Beach Boys CDs.  It's so hard to summon up the enthusiasm to buy an album you already have, but it's so hard to be enthusiastic about an album you know has just been reissued sounding even better.  Sometimes I steal myself and just go out and buy it again.  But there's no consistency there - I mean, I have two copies of Gottle O'Geer for God's sake!

 

Jules

[davidmjs]

But there's no consistency there - I mean, I have two copies of Gottle O'Geer for God's sake!

 

Jules

I think you have invented a whole new definition of inconsistency, here.  Congratulations, Jules  

[johanna/ulla]

Something that's always surprised me about RT is his consistency. If you like his sound you can pick any album from his career - solo, duo or band - and not be disappointed.

I struggle to pick out a "best" album because I can't think what his "worst" is! For most artists there is at least one album which I find myself avoiding playing because it is not up to standard. This doesn't happen for me with RT. He has hit the mark with every single album in my opinion.

AMEN

One of my colleagues, who reads 7 newspapers a day and is very interested in music, gave me some brilliant reviews of "Sweet Warrior", because he knows that I am a RT fan. He did not know RT´s music, so I gave him the "SW".
He was hooked and asked for more.
So this morning I handed over a big bag with some Cd's, including the Box Set. He will have a perfect weekend  

[Jules Gray]

I think you have invented a whole new definition of inconsistency, here.  Congratulations, Jules  

Or at least a whole new definition of masochist.

 

Jules

[Bob Barrows]

Does anyone know if Daring Adventures is out or coming out. I normally buy an old cd only to find it re-released remastered a week later.

I've just discovered that one of the libraries in our state-wide network has a copy of this ... needless to say, it will be out of their possession temporarily.



Edit: Oh! And another library has Watching the Dark!

Why didn't I think to check out this resource before?

[Scousertommy (Ian)]

Oh dear, I have tried, I really have, but I just can't get beyond the voice  

I was starting to think there was something wrong with me.

Consumate guitarist, songwriter pas excellence but ............  

[Bob Barrows]

I have to admit: I missed out on a lot of great music for several years there because I could not get past the voice.

Then, one day, something clicked, and I have been spending the past couple of years playing catch-up.

[Jan_]

The man is a genius, his guitar playing is out of this world and his lyrics are sheer poetry, but ... his voice doesn't move me in the way that Messrs Nicol*, McTell and Knightley do.  I cannot account for it.




* the 'S' version, of course!

[Bob Barrows]

I do remember what produced the "click" for me: it was hearing "Don't Renege on our Love" for the first time a few years ago on a Live365 internet radio station. All of a sudden, I could get past the voice and start listening to the song, as well as the brilliant guitar work. That was when I started actively seeking his music, instead of restricting myself to the FC classics.

[Neil Morrell]

I'd suggest "Bright Lights" and "Rumour and Sigh".

Maybe not at the same time.

[Nick the Stick]

Funny old world. I've always loved his voice.

[davidmjs]

Funny old world. I've always loved his voice.

Me too.  Very surprising debate - his has never struck me as one of those love them or hate them voices (Dylan, Neil etc)....

[Nick the Stick]

Kevin Coyne. But that's another story.

[Jules Gray]

Funny old world. I've always loved his voice.

Me too.  Very surprising debate - his has never struck me as one of those love them or hate them voices (Dylan, Neil etc)....

Oh I can see that he does have 'one of those voices' - he's not a regular sort of obviously gifted singer.  And his voice has become more...how would I describe this?..more 'pinched' and less open throated over the years, but his limited range has remained quite steady.  I just like how 'human' his voice sounds.  Besides I was already a Dylan and a Neil fan, so I wasn't going to have much trouble with RT really.

Jules

[ColinB]

And I have to ask: who is the David Thomas??

Looks like this is the chap...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Thomas_%28musician%29

"...Thomas worked with a variety of musicians including guitarists Richard Thompson and Philip Moxham, and Henry Cow alumni bassonist/oboist Lindsay Cooper and drummer Chris Cutler."

[Bob Barrows]

Ahh! I've just figured out the correct search terms to plug into Google to get the skinny:
"Bird Land" lyrics

Pere Ubu, eh? I've never listened to any of their stuff ... any good is it?

Edit: Just found them in Rhapsody - I'll just say it's not for me ...

[Bob Barrows]

And I have to ask: who is the David Thomas??

Looks like this is the chap...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Thomas_%28musician%29

"...Thomas worked with a variety of musicians including guitarists Richard Thompson and Philip Moxham, and Henry Cow alumni bassonist/oboist Lindsay Cooper and drummer Chris Cutler."

Ah, thanks Colin. Should have refreshed the thread before posting my followup ...

[Chris from Fieldtown]

If your bank balance can stand it I'd go with Jim and say start with Henry and work your way forward. Ignore the fact that Warner's rated Henry as their worst ever selling album, great lyrics, free flowing guitar and a youthful and engaging voice. Onward through the CDs is a wonderful journey and you can see how the music has evolved. Bright Lights is an important landmark and was my first purchase after a borrow from  a library. I gradually aquired everything after that. After Don't rush it, give each album a while to tell it's story, there isn't a duff album in there. If funds are more limited I'd go with Action Packed for a safe choice or Rumur and Sigh for a great all rounder nearer to the SW style. Of the recent stuff You Me Us is a fascinating album but less obviously commercial.  Hand Of Kindness is also a stunning piece of work that stands out for the emotional intensity. Happy listening or that not what RT is about?  

[Neil Morrell]

Shoot out the Lights is brilliant too - very emotionally charged.

Letting your personal life affect your work isn't always a bad thing