Ouch
Richard and Linda Thompson - Shoot Out The Lights
I went on a bit of an English folk binge in my local record shop today, and picked this up as part of it.
I’ve really got into their First Light album recently and this led me to re-watch the Richard Thompson documentary, A Solitary Life. All things considered, Linda comes over really well. The bit about them touring after he’s left the relationship is quite an uncomfortable watch.
I really love her voice. And I love their combined voices. Once you know what was playing out in their lives when it was being written, it kind of makes you wince and go “oof” at times.
It’s fucking great.
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This is a strange affair
Richard & Linda Thompson - First LightThis album was the Thompsons’ return from a three year sabbatical spent in Sufi communes, about which Linda was later quite scathing. The songs are along broadly spiritual themes, but you wouldn’t know it, because they’re so well-hidden. However, Richard’s songwriting style is always right there, front and centre.
It’s a good album, albeit a slow-burning one.
Linda's voice is great.
It has an interesting cast of players, including 70’s show-tune queen, Julie Covington, Andy Fairweather-Low from the Amen Corner and Maddy Prior from Steeleye Span, as well as the top session musicians of the day.
Today I learned: Richard Thompson was once in a band with Hugh Cornwell of the Stranglers.

