What does it sound like?:
This set, originally released in 1976, has been remastered on heavyweight vinyl (with download card) for its 45th anniversary, although it’s simply a straight reissue of the original album of rarities, live material and sundry curiosities from the period 1967-76, split roughly 50:50 between Fairport and Richard and Linda songs. At the time Richard had gone into semi-retirement, so this was intended as a retrospective look at his career to date, although the pair of solo instrumentals, Free As A Bird and The Pitfall/The Excursion, were recorded specifically for this compilation. The Fairport tracks notably include Roger McGuinn’s The Ballad of Easy Rider, an outtake from the Liege and Lief sessions, and Poor Will and the Jolly Hangman, recorded for but ultimately left off the Full House album. The star of the show for me though is the Richard and Linda material – A Heart Needs a Home and The Dark End of the Street are both stand outs, but the cream of the crop are lengthy live versions of Night Comes In and, one of my all time favourites, Calvary Cross, both taken from their 1975 tour. I believe the album has been unavailable for some time now, so it’s great to see it return to the catalogue after all these years.
What does it all *mean*?
Although most tracks were unreleased at the time of the album’s original appearance, they have subsequently become available on box sets and as bonus tracks on reissues.
Goes well with…
His other recordings – of course, Richard’s retirement turned out to be short lived and a couple of years later he returned to the scene and is still going strong, with his catalogue now running to 22 studio and 14 live albums.
Release Date:
28 March
Might suit people who like…
An alternative perspective on the artist’s early works.
fitterstoke says
Really wonderful collection – I still have my original vinyl and it remains my most played RT album. The live versions of Calvary Cross and Night Comes In have never been bettered IMHO…
retropath2 says
Fab album. The lengthy live workouts of Night Comes In and Calvary Cross demonstrate the perfect storm of synergy between Thompson, Pegg and Mattacks, with credit also to John Kirkpatrick’s exemplary playing.
That band was peak Thompson, perhaps even more when, post Linda, Clive Gregson and Christine Collister were absorbed on board.
Junior Wells says
Hmmm. I have found most of his records very patchy. This might be up my alley.
Vulpes Vulpes says
Deffo. I’ve got loads of RT stuff, including various comps and boxes – this is the album I reach for when someone says, ‘Richard who?’.
Moose the Mooche says
Yesterday I read that RT’s license had been revoked by Ofcom .. what madness is this??
hubert rawlinson says
75 was the first time I saw them, Leeds Town Hall.
Wonderful album, the live workouts are stunning.
I am biased however as my brother in law plays harmonica on Throwaway Street Puzzle.
H.P. Saucecraft says
I wondered where you got that aura of celebrity.
hubert rawlinson says
Next to that aura of celery.
bang em in bingham says
A fantastic album….such a great mix of songs…and yes Night Comes In is a masterpiece…
Twang says
That is one great album. When I first explored RT solo I bought it as a way in and many albums later I still think that was the right decision.
duco01 says
Yes, indeed, a great album.
And also, “(guitar, vocal)” is a great title for an album.
paulwright says
What someone lent me to get me to try Richard Thompson. Must have worked because I’ve seen him more than anyone else (to be fair the Undertones weren’t around for 20 years, and he never stopped).
Had enough of Calvary Cross though. Liked it at the time, but not now. Funny how that goes.
Henry Haddock says
I’m sure the version of Poor Will And The Jolly Hangman on Guitar, Vocal is slightly different to the one on the reissue of Full House
retropath2 says
I have always suspected so.
hubert rawlinson says
The guitar vocal version has Linda on vocals recorded in 75.
Henry Haddock says
Mystery solved. Cheers!
Chrisf says
Talking of Richard Thompson, I’ve just received an email from Bandcamp on the release of his “Grizzly Man” soundtrack. Releases on May 6th.
https://richardthompson.bandcamp.com/album/music-from-grizzly-man?from=fanpub_fnb
“ Richard Thompson’s score for Grizzly Man – Werner Herzog’s 2005 documentary film of real life and death in the Alaskan wilderness – is one of the best-kept secrets in the British guitarist’s epic canon: an instrumental masterpiece disguised as a movie soundtrack. Recorded over two days as Thompson played live in the studio to Herzog’s footage – mostly alone, at times in chamber settings with cello, piano and percussion – these tenderly detailed melodies and quietly visceral improvisations are cinema in their own right, rendered with pictorial instinct and the dazzling technique forged in Thompson’s lifelong passage through traditional folk, psychedelia, North African modes and intensely personal songwriting. Here is Thompson at his natural best – finger-picking dance; snake-curl twang and singing-wire harmonics – in a solo clarity that runs from jig-like joy to deep-note meditation, the “Grizzly Man” blues march with its echoes of Fairport Convention’s “Sloth” to the long night of “Treadwell No More,” a harrowing darkness in slicing treble and tremolo shiver. Produced by guitarist Henry Kaiser, Grizzly Man is a record of powerful solitude – as bold and majestic as the land in Herzog’s film; as intimate as prayer – and essential Richard Thompson.”
fitterstoke says
Reissue from 2005? Or a “tweaked” version?
Robble77 says
Lando Cakes says
I love this album. An odd, eclectic mix.