Richard Thompson
Still
Proper Records
Back to the future for legendary Folk-Rocker
What’s left to say about Richard Thompson? If you haven’t discovered him and his numerous albums spread over forty plus years; there’s no point reading any further.
A walking, talking, singing and guitar playing encyclopedia of Folk Music Richard Thompson has covered every aspect of this much maligned musical genre over the years; and on this his 21st (?) studio album he has selected another legend; Jeff Tweedy from Americana forefathers Wilco to produce a selection of brand spanking new Folk songs.
A walking, talking, singing and guitar playing encyclopedia of Folk Music Richard Thompson has covered every aspect of this much maligned musical genre over the years; and on this his 21st (?) studio album he has selected another legend; Jeff Tweedy from Americana forefathers Wilco to produce a selection of brand spanking new Folk songs.
I’m not sure if it’s a good thing or a bad thing but there’s nothing new here; with Thompson very rarely straying from his quintessential English Folk Roots; yet it all sounds deliciously fresh and exciting in a way only Thompson can deliver.
Opening track She Could Never Resist a Winding Road sounds like a timeless classic; as Thompson croons over a gentle backing that evolves into a bit of a mournful Celtic tune .
A handful of songs immediately grasp your attention; with the beautiful Josephine having a Greensleeves feel to it; and Dungeons for Eyes harking back to Thompson’s younger, darker days.
It’s no great hardship; but I’ve found it difficult to find anything that Jeff Tweedy appears to have influenced; apart from possibly, the guitar breaks on Patty Don’t You Put Me Down and Where’s Your Heart; while Guitar Heroes allows Richard to have a bit of fun on disc; at the very end.
There’s nothing new here; yet fans (like me) will love and cherish it as if it is Folk Music’s very own Royal Baby.
Released June 29th 2015
The Rocking Magpie 