Richard Thompson: Part 2
March 6, 2011Last Fall I narrowed down Richard Thompson’s nearly 5 decade career onto two CD’s for my daughter and her friend. In my last post I covered the first 11 songs which were from the Fairport Convention period in the late 60′s through Richard’s breakup with his wife Linda after their classic Shoot Out The Lights in 1982. The balance of the list is songs from Richard’s solo career, which is still very active today. These recommendations are for people who want an introduction to Richard’s incredible talents as a songwriter, singer and guitarist. If you are already a fan I’m sure you have your own list of favorites. I’ve included snatches of lyrics and links in the song titles to songs found at Amazon.com so you can hear a preview. The other links are live videos from YouTube which show Richard’s progression over the past 30 years. Finally, at the end of this post are links to his wonderful guitar lesson series which are also found on YouTube. Richard’s key albums in my view are the Grammy nominated Rumor and Sigh from 1991 and the Live album Two Letter Words recorded on the 1994 tour with his classic lineup of Pete Zorn, Danny Thompson and Dave Mattocks. I thought this album and More Guitar were only available from Richard’s excellent website Beesweb but recently discovered it can be downloaded from Amazon if you search under Richard Thompson Band. Two Letter Words is two hours worth of outstanding performances of many of Richard’s greatest songs up through the Mirror Blue period and I consider it one of the greatest live albums of all time. Finally If you don’t have time to link to all the songs and have a listen make sure you check out the live links so you can see how amazing this guy really is. The order is chronological.
12. Hand Of Kindness (Hand Of Kindness-1983)
Well I wove the rope and I picked the spot
Well I struck out my neck and I tightened the knot
O stranger, stranger, I’m near out of time
You stretch out your hand, I stretched out mine
O maybe just the hand of kindness
Maybe just the hand of kindness
Maybe just a hand, stranger will you reach me in time ?
13. A Poisoned Heart and a Twisted Memory (Hand of Kindness 1983)
Link to Hand Of Kindness live in Hamburg 1983
14. I Ain’t Going To Drag My Feet No More (Across A Crowded Room- 1985)
15. When The Spell Is Broken (Across A Crowded Room- 1985)
Link to When The Spell Is Broken- Live 1985
16. Can’t Win (More Guitar: Live Washington DC 1988)
One of Richard’s “epic guitar solo” songs, Can’t Win was a highlight of Richard’s 2010 electric tour in support of “Dream Attic” which I saw in Boston last year. This version is also found on the Watching The Dark box set from 1991.
17. Don’t Tempt Me (More Guitar: Live Washington DC 1988)
Get your mittens off my gal or you’ll end up as mincemeat, pal
I’ve got friends, mean sons– they’ve got knives, chains, guns,
gas grenades, knuckle-dusters, lazy susans –blockbusters.
don’t tempt me, don’t tempt me, don’t tempt me
I’m half way out of my seat!
18. Read About Love (Rumor And Sigh- 1991)
Asked my daddy when I was thirteen,
“Daddy, can you tell me what a lover really means?”
His eyes went glassy, not a word was said,
he poured another beer and his face turned red
Asked my mother, she acted the same,
she never looked up, she seemed so ashamed
Asked my teacher, he reached for the cane,
he said “Don’t mention that subject again”
(Read about love) I read it in a magazine
(Read about love) Cosmo and Seventeen
(Read about love) In the back of Hustler, Hustler, Hustler
So I –know what makes girls sigh,
And I –know why girls cry
So don’t tell me I don’t understand,
what makes a woman and what makes a man
I’ve never been to heaven but at least I’ve read about love
19. I Feel So Good (Rumor And Sigh- 1991)
I feel so good I’m going to break somebody’s heart tonight
I feel so good I’m going to take someone apart tonight
They put me in jail for my deviant ways,
two years seven months and sixteen days,
now I’m back on the street in a purple haze,
and I feel so good, and I feel so good,
well I feel so good I’m going to break somebody’s heart tonight .
I feel so good I’m going to make somebody’s day tonight
I feel so good I’m going to make somebody pay tonight
I’m old enough to sin but I’m too young to vote,
society’s been dragging on the tail of my coat,
now I’ve got a suitcase full of fifty pound notes,
and a half-naked woman with her tongue down my throat,
And I feel so good, and I feel so good,
Oh I feel so good I’m going to break somebody’s heart tonight
Link to I Feel So Good on the David Letterman show 1991
20. I Misunderstood (Rumor And Sigh- 1991)
21. Mother Knows Best (Rumor And Sigh- 1991)
Here is a great example of Richard and the band really rocking out. I have no idea what the inspiration is for this song, Margaret Thatcher? It is like something from Steven King. Make sure you check out the smokin’ live link.
So you think you know how to wipe your own nose
You think you know how to button your clothes
You don’t know shit if you hadn’t already guessed
You’re just a bump on the log of life, ’cause mother knows best
She tells everybody she was born in a ditch
She back-combs her hair ’till she looks like a witch
Wolves in her train, serpents suckle at her breast
Don’t forget to wash behind your ears, ’cause mother knows best
O you lost your job, well ain’t that a shame
You got nobody but yourself to blame
You deserve everything you get for such a carelessness
And don’t eat your peas off the knife, ’cause mother knows best
So your baby’s hungry, so your baby’s sick
Don’t make babies, that’ll do the trick
Put another string of barbed wire in your little love nest
It’s better than a cardboard box, ’cause mother knows best
Link To Mother Knows Best Live in Toronto 1991
22. MGB-GT (Mirror Blue- 1994)
The following 4 songs are from the outstanding live album Two Letter Words. Please note that the previews at Amazon embedded in the links for each song are correct for sound but Amazon has mixed up the order so – for example- when you click on 1952 Vincent Black Lightning it will say the song is Mingus Eyes but when you listen to the link it is the correct song. . .
23. 1952 Vincent Black Lightning (Two Letter Words- Live: Washington 1994)
This is at least Richard’s most famous song if not his best. When I saw him do it solo acoustic in Portsmouth NH last summer I was transported, I felt like it was a great moment in my entire life. This guy can be unbelievable sometimes.
Oh says Red Molly to James “That’s a fine motorbike.
A girl could feel special on any such like”
Says James to Red Molly “My hat’s off to you
It’s a Vincent Black Lightning, 1952.
And I’ve seen you at the corners and cafes it seems
Red hair and black leather, my favourite colour scheme”
And he pulled her on behind and down to Boxhill they did ride
Oh says James to Red Molly “Here’s a ring for your right hand
But I’ll tell you in earnest I’m a dangerous man.
For I’ve fought with the law since I was seventeen,
I robbed many a man to get my Vincent machine.
Now I’m 21 years, I might make 22
And I don’t mind dying, but for the love of you.
And if fate should break my stride
Then I’ll give you my Vincent to ride”
“Come down, come down, Red Molly” called Sergeant McRae
“For they’ve taken young James Adie for armed robbery.
Shotgun blast hit his chest, left nothing inside.
Oh come down, Red Molly to his dying bedside”
When she came to the hospital, there wasn’t much left
He was running out of road, he was running out of breath
But he smiled to see her cry
He said “I’ll give you my Vincent to ride”
Says James “In my opinion, there’s nothing in this world
Beats a 52 Vincent and a red headed girl.
Now Nortons and Indians and Greeves won’t do,
Ah, they don’t have a soul like a Vincent 52″
Oh he reached for her hand and he slipped her the keys
Said “I’ve got no further use for these.
I see angels on Ariels in leather and chrome,
Swooping down from heaven to carry me home”
And he gave her one last kiss and died
And he gave her his Vincent to ride.
Link to 1952 Vincent Black Lightning Live- solo acoustic (date?)
24. Tear Stained Letter (Two Letter Words- Live: Washington 1994)
25. Hokey Pokey (Two Letter Words- Live: Washington 1994)
26. Ghosts In The Wind (Two Letter Words- Live: Washington 1994)
27. Persuasion [Live] Walking On A Wire: 1968-2009
Link To Persuasion Live
28. Cooksferry Queen (Live From Austin, TX- 2004)
This song has shades of The Acid Queen underscoring Richard’s fondness for The Who. The live link shows how outstanding and intense a performer he can be. You have to see this!
Link To Cooksferry Queen- Live: Jools Holland Show 1999
29. Gethsemane (Old Kit Bag- 2003)
30. Haul Me Up (Dream Attic- 2010)
31. Guns Are The Tongues (Sweet Warrior- 2007)
This is an incredibly moving song about Irish bandits which is a good example of how Richard can build a song to an emotional climax culminating in a soaring guitar solo.
Here are links to the excellent 3 part Richard Thompson guitar school series:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJ2pmCuAKwo&feature=related
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