genius, Richard Thompson writes wonderful songs that are sometimes rocking, sometimes haunting and sometimes a little bit of both. And he presents them all in a v...
genius, Richard Thompson writes wonderful songs that are sometimes rocking, sometimes haunting and sometimes a little bit of both. And he presents them all in a v...
Action Packed (The Best Of The Capitol Years) - Richard Thompson
Additional notes
Album Notes: Full title: Action Packed: The Best Of The Capitol Years. Personnel includes: Richard Thompson (vocals, guitar, dulcimer, mandolin, hurdy gurdy, accordion, keyboards); Teddy Thompson (guitar, background vocals); Simon Nicol, Tchad Blake (guitar); Lovely Previn, Aly Bain, Tom McConville (fiddle); Alistar Anderson (pipes); Dave McMcKelsy (harmonica); Peter Adams (piano, organ); Mitchell Froom (harmonium, keyboards); Danny Thompson (acoustic bass); Jerry Scheff, Atom Ellis, Richard Gates (bass); Joey Waronker, Dave Mattacks (drums); Alex Acuna, John Bergamont (percussion); Christine Collister, Clive Gregson, Judith Owens (background vocals). Producers: Mitchell Froom, Tchad Blake, Tom Rothrock, Rob Schnapf, Tom Dube. Compilation producers: Cheryl Pawelski, Richard Thompson. Engineers: Tom Rothrock, Rob Schnapf, Tom Dube. Includes liner notes by Rob Bowman. Digitally remastered by Rob McMaster and Tom Rothrock (2001 Capitol Studios). This disc chronicles Richard Thompson's '90s recording career on Capitol Records. Much of the work Thompson did during this period was with producer Mitchell Froom, who adds a slight studio sheen to Thompson's folk-rock sound, but never in an excessive or unwelcome manner. Thompson had honed his songwriting and already virtuosic guitar playing to a razor's edge, venturing occasionally into the kind of traditional British folk style favored by his old band Fairport Convention, but also tossing off searing electric leads with disarming ease. The outlaw biker narrative "1952 Vincent Black Lightning" and the bittersweet lost-love lament "Beeswing" showcase Thompson's ability to pen timeless-sounding folk tunes. "I Feel So Good" and "I Misunderstood" find him exercising enough sophisticated pop melodicism and ironic lyricism to rival Elvis Costello. While Thompson's late-'70s/early-'80s work is generally his most celebrated, ACTION PACKED makes it clear that his creativity has never waned.
Album Reviews: Q (5/01, p.137) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...This is a collection of savorous, sweet-sour subtlety....Affirms his place as a writer of insight rather than old ritual..." Entertainment Weekly (4/6/01, p.121) - "...Sifts a string of gems from his 1988-2000 period and adds a trio of worthy rarities....it's hard not to be moved..." - Rating: A-
Advantages: Top sounds of swing, country and vegas high rollers Disadvantages: Shows Mr Sinatra up for the fraud that he was
...The Rat Pack. Vegas. Fun and laughs at the Sands Casino. Frank and Sammy.
Who really wants to forgt a crew of guys who epitomise the whole ethos of cool?
Certainly not me. But of that group one man stood head and shoulders above the others. He was rugged, strong and could sing songs so effortlessly that it sounded like he could do it in his sleep.
Dean Martin was not only as enigmatic as Frank Sinatra, and as funny as Sammy Davis Jr, but he had a talent for turning songs into something special.
During the British invasion of the American charts in the Sixties, he as one of the few who managed to fend off the Beatles from the top positions.
This "Very Best of" album is certainly that as for the first time it gathered together the hits from his stint with both Capitol Records and Reprise Records.
Dean managed to move...
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Advantages: Full of variety and superbly packaged Disadvantages: Expensive - and really for the committed fan
...At first glance, this mammoth retrospective looks a trifle baffling. It's not a greatest hits set (Richard has never had a hit in his life, unless you include Fairport Convention's "Si Tu Dois Partir" which isn't included), not exactly a 'best of', but a motley collection of rarities, live performances, out-takes and a few gems from Fairport days, as well as a sprinkling of cuts from albums he recorded solo and with his then wife Linda. Only when you listen to it and study the carefully-compiled booklet (including a full illustrated biography and discography) does it all fit together. With 47 songs spanning the years 1969 to 1992, it's like a huge patchwork quilt, an encyclopedia, a record to dip into. With a playing time of around 220 minutes, it's hardly one to play at a single sitting! The rich voice of the late great Sandy Denny...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Advantages: Superbly played, written and sung - and what a variety of moods Disadvantages: None
...When Richard and Linda Thompson's marriage and professional partnership hit the rocks in 1982, both went solo - Richard had done so once before, after leaving Fairport Convention at the start of the 70s. In my view, the result was the best of his long career to date. He had a first-rate band behind him, consisting of three of his former Fairport colleagues, with folk stalwart John Kirkpatrick on accordion and concertina, and sax players Pete Thomas and Pete Zorn. Add Richard and his often underrated but incredibly potent lead guitar, and you've got an amazing rock'n'roll meets Cajun outfit. The songs were equally incredible, some of them naturally reflecting the traumas of his personal life at the time. "Tear Stained Letter" ('My heart was beating like a song by the Clash, it was writing cheques that my body couldn't cash') is...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average off topic
off topic 22.07.2000
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